Grant Writing & Funding

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

This episode, Dr. Lauren Hopkins explains how to package grant writing services, show organizations your value, and increase your impact. 

Dr. Lauren Hopkins is a social worker, program evaluator, grant writer, training developer, and facilitator. 

Dr. Hopkins joins us to discuss the different ways to structure grant writing services, why grant writers should use value based pricing, and how grant writers can show organizations their value. 

She also talks about the business side of being a grant professional, the importance of having a grant application plan, and how using systems has helped her build financial stability.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What nonprofits can do if they can’t afford to hire a grant writer. 
• The benefits of working with a freelance grant writer. 
• Building a business plan for your first master grant application. 
• How to carry out program evaluations for grant funders. 
• The ways the freelance grant academy has helped Dr. Hopkins. 
• How grant writers should structure the services they provide. 
• Different ways to package grant writing services. 
• Why grant writers should use value-based pricing. 
• How to show organizations the value of using a grant writer. 
• The resources and templates available in the freelance grant writing academy.

About Dr. Lauren Hopkins

Dr. Lauren Hopkins is the Owner and Principal Consultant of Prepared to Impact, LLC. She is a social worker passionate about helping organizational staff strengthen knowledge, gain skills, and achieve goals. Dr. Hopkins is a gifted program evaluator, experienced grant writer, skilled training developer, and knowledgeable facilitator. She holds a Bachelors in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from High Point University, a Masters in Social Work from the University of South Carolina, and a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Southeastern University. She also earned a Grant Writing Certificate from the University of South Carolina. 

Connect with Dr. Lauren:

• Website 
• Email

Quotables:

• “Value based pricing is key and the academy taught me a lot about that.”
• “The academy has helped me get out of my comfort zone and fine tune and become clear about my services.”
• “A lot of the time freelance grant writers aren’t able to make income because they’re not marketing themselves or doing sales calls.”

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Freelance Grant Writer Academy
• Quit Your Toxic Nonprofit Job and Replace your Income with Grant Writing Webinar
• The Beginners Guide to Grant Writing
• Creating a Value-Driven Grant Writing Business Doubled Clients, Peace, and Revenue
• Grant Writing Consulting: A Path to Financial Stability and Growth
• Finding a Community of Grant Writers

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
• Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship 

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Are nonprofit jobs really as stable as they seem?

In this episode, Holly breaks down a perspective that might surprise you—why freelance grant writing can actually offer more financial stability than traditional nonprofit roles.

We dive into how nonprofit salaries are often impacted by funding fluctuations and how inflation continues to affect wages across the sector. In contrast, freelance grant writing can provide more control over your income, allowing you to diversify clients and increase your earning potential.

Holly also shares insights into how much freelance grant writers can realistically earn in a year, along with the flexibility and freedom that come with running your own business. From setting your schedule to scaling your services, freelance grant writing offers benefits that go beyond income—including autonomy, work-life balance, and long-term sustainability.

If you’ve been considering making the shift or want to understand the financial realities of both paths, this episode will give you a clear and empowering perspective.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Holly Rustick is a world-renowned grant writing expert, bestselling author, and business coach who has helped thousands of aspiring and experienced grant writers build successful freelance businesses. As the founder of Grant Writing & Funding, she leads a global movement to help grant writers secure funding for nonprofits while creating profitable, flexible careers.

With over 20 years of experience, Holly specializes in teaching value-based pricing, ethical sales, and sustainable business systems that allow grant writers to replace their full-time income working part-time from home.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

OTHER RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

———————————————————————————

This podcast episode is sponsored by Bloomerang!

Bloomerang is a donor management and fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits to help you raise more, retain donors, and grow your impact. With powerful tools for donor engagement, reporting, and relationship management, Bloomerang makes it easier to build meaningful connections and drive sustainable funding.

Learn more at: https://bloomerang.com/

———————————————————————————

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

This episode, Holly Rustick explains how to earn more as a freelance grant writer, how long it takes to learn how to write a grant template, and how to get feedback on your grants. 

Holly Rustick is a world-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author who has been coaching grant writers how to run successful 5-6 figure businesses since 2017. 

Holly explains how you can replace your full time income with a part time role writing grants, the ways a programme can help with your grant writing process, and how to ethically raise your grant writing revenue. 

She also talks about the common objections nonprofits have when hiring freelance grant writers, ethical sales strategies that grant writers can use, and how to do value based pricing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The ways a programme can help with your grant writing process.
• How to ethically raise your revenue with freelance grant writing. 
• How to replace your full time income with a part time role writing grants. 
• The amount of time it takes to learn how to write a grant template. 
• Using AI to write grant applications. 
• Finding your unique industry concept. 
• How to get feedback on your grants. 
• Ethical sales strategies that work for introverts. 
• Strategies on how to do value based pricing. 
• Common objections nonprofits have when hiring freelance grant writers. 

Quotables:

• “You can earn more money than working a regular job, you can work anywhere, and you can also create amazing change in the world and bring meaning to your life.”
• “Once you get clear on your unique industry concept everything falls into place.”
• “It’s amazing to see how many people in the program are quickly quitting their jobs because they are able to get booked out with clients.”

ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK

Grant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030.  Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.  

Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy,  past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. 

CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK 

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Register for the Free Webinar, Jan. 10th, 2024 “Quit Your Toxic Nonprofit Job and Replace Your Income with Freelance Grant Writing” Click here
• Get a Free Book in December!
• Join the Waitlist for the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. Click here.
• Quit Your Toxic Nonprofit Job: The Power of Freelance Grant Writing for Financial Freedom
• The Real ROI of Grant Writing
• Growing your Nonprofit Consultancy Practice

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
• Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship 

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

———————————————————————————

Thank you Bloomerang for sponsoring this week’s podcast!

Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium ...

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

In this solo episode, Holly Rustick shares her expertise on navigating the realities of working in the nonprofit sector and building a sustainable, profitable career in grant writing. 

She dives into why some nonprofit roles can become toxic, the structural challenges within nonprofit organizations, and why grant writers are often underpaid. Holly also breaks down how federal funding flows to nonprofits, the limitations placed on 501(c)(3) organizations, and how you can leverage freelance grant writing to replace your income and build a successful 5–6 figure business.

ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK

Grant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.

Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.

CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

We made it—300 episodes!

To celebrate this milestone, we’re giving you free access to our bestselling ebook, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing—because this podcast has always been about equipping you with the tools to succeed.

In this special episode, Holly reflects on why she started the Grant Writing & Funding podcast and how it has grown into a global movement supporting grant writers and nonprofits alike.

We dive into the power of podcasting—not just as a platform, but as a way to build meaningful relationships, share knowledge, and create impact across communities.

Holly also shares her vision for the future of the podcast, along with insights into the incredible power grant writers have to drive change. From helping nonprofits secure critical funding to building their own financial stability, grant writers play a vital role in shaping a better world.

If you’ve been part of this journey—or are just getting started—this episode is a celebration of what’s possible.

Be sure to give it a listen!

ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK

Grant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.

Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. 

CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

———————————————————————————

This podcast episode is sponsored by Bloomerang!

Bloomerang is a donor management and fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits to help you raise more, retain donors, and grow your impact. With powerful tools for donor engagement, reporting, and relationship management, Bloomerang makes it easier to build meaningful connections and drive sustainable funding.

Learn more at: https://bloomerang.com/

———————————————————————————

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

In this episode, Emily Kelly, Bloomerang’s National Accounts Manager, joins us to share how nonprofits can strengthen donor relationships and improve retention through effective use of donor management software. We discuss how organizations can stay connected with donors, avoid losing critical donor data, and adapt to changes in donor sponsorship—especially in light of inflation and shifting giving trends.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Emily Kelly is Bloomerang’s National Accounts Manager, where she cultivates and maintains partnerships with national nonprofit organizations, affiliates, and existing partners. She brings expertise in donor engagement, retention strategies, and helping nonprofits leverage technology to grow sustainable fundraising.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

———————————————————————————

This podcast episode is sponsored by Bloomerang.

Bloomerang is a donor management and fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits to help you acquire, retain, and engage donors more effectively. With powerful tools for donor data, communication, and reporting, Bloomerang helps organizations grow sustainable fundraising results while saving time. Learn more about how Bloomerang can support your nonprofit’s mission.

———————————————————————————

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

This episode, Teresa Huff is the host of the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast and the go-to expert in grant writer coaching and nonprofit grant strategy.

Teresa joins us to discuss the different ways to assess the ROI of grant writing, how nonprofits can optimize the process of their grant applications, and win more grants.

She also talks about how nonprofits can increase their relevance, the type of research you need to do before creating a nonprofit, and how nonprofits can leverage tools like ChatGPT.

About Teresa Huff

Teresa Huff is the host of the Grant Writing Simplified Podcast and the go-to expert in grant writer coaching and nonprofit grant strategy. She’s helped nonprofits triple their funding and maximize their impact. After winning over $7 million for schools and nonprofits, she now teaches grant writers and nonprofits the strategies they need to develop millions in sustainable, long-term funding. Her podcast has been downloaded in over 100 countries across 6 continents; more than 3,000 students worldwide have completed her online grant writing programs.

Teresa uses her Master’s in Education and over 20 years of experience in writing, special education, and business to help nonprofit leaders take their skills to the next level. She mentors grant writers through her interactive Fast Track to Grant Writer VIP Coaching Program, now available for university level credit.

Connect with Teresa

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Grant Writing Simplified Podcast
• The Real ROI of Grant Writing TEDx
• How Nonprofits Get Funding from Grants, Fundraisers, and Donors
• Using Chat GPT and AI for Grant Writing
• Lessons Learned as a Nonprofit Executive Director & Nonprofit Consultant

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
• Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship 

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

Thank you Bloomerang for sponsoring this week's podcast!

Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron.

After just one year with Bloomerang First Tee of Greater Akron doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds.

To hear the full story, visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ 

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

This episode, DeaRonda Harrison explains how nonprofits can get funding, build relationships, and grow their business. 

DeaRonda Harrison is a grant writing specialist who works with nonprofits to help them win grants. 

DeaRonda joins us to discuss the funding options for small nonprofits, how nonprofits can build relationships with funding boards, and get past grant funding gatekeepers. 

She also talks about the business aspect of nonprofits, how to put together a grant plan, and what to do if your grant applications are unsuccessful. 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• New and emerging grant opportunities for small nonprofits.
• How to put together a grant plan. 
• What it’s like being a nonprofit startup. 
• Ways nonprofits can start to get funding.  
• What to do if you’re not having success in your grant applications. 
• How to build a relationship with funding boards. 
• Different systems to get grant funders. 
• The gatekeepers involved in getting grant funding. 
• The business aspect of nonprofits. 
• How nonprofits can demonstrate they have experience with money management. 

About DeaRonda Harrison

DeaRonda Harrison is the founder and President of June First Firm, a grant writing firm specializing in assisting nonprofits under new leadership transform their organization. She works to onboard and train their new grants team reducing burnout, turnover, and lack of support. DeaRonda knows and understands too well why quality grant professionals are leaving nonprofits in droves and wants to be a support system to properly train and onboard those new to the industry as well as more seasoned professionals. DeaRonda has worked at and consulted with numerous leading nonprofits as a grant professional and has 10 years of experience as a grant writer winning awards totaling $35M over the course of her career. Her nonprofit specialty are those that focus on human services, K-12 education, workforce development, housing, and healthcare services. 

DeaRonda is a member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) where she served as Georgia Chapter President for two years. She obtained her Master of Business Administration from Ashford University and Bachelor of Science degree from the prestigious Tuskegee University.    

Connect with DeaRonda:

• Website 
• LinkedIn

Quotables:

• “Putting numbers to everything they were doing really helped them take their programs to another level because of the structure.”
• “An important step is cultivation. My most successful clients develop relationships with funders, they introduce them to the organization so when they get the application it’s not the first time they’ve heard of the organization.”
• “Instead of just asking for money, date those funders.”

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Train Up Your Grant Writer
• How Your Nonprofit Can Stand Out in the Funder’s Eyes Charity Navigator
• 4 Steps Executive Directors of Nonprofits Can Lead with Confidence
• Improving the communication between grant funders and nonprofits
• Top 10 Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Executive Director

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
• Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship 

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

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Thank you Bloomerang for sponsoring this week’s podcast!

Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps small to medium nonprofits, like First Tee of Greater Akron.

After just one year with Bloomerang First Tee of Greater Akron doubled their unique donors, improved donor stewardship, and raised more funds.

To hear the full story, visit ...

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Elvis joins us to discuss the data security and privacy risks for nonprofits, the effect cybersecurity breaches can have on funding, and how nonprofits can reduce data breaches. He also shares why nonprofits are often targeted by hackers, the SOPs organizations should implement to minimize risk, and what really happens when a nonprofit gets hacked.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Elvis Moreland is an award-winning senior executive and subject matter expert in cyber risk management. He is recognized as a Computerworld Premier 100 Leader and brings deep expertise in helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture and mitigate risk.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

Are you relying too heavily on social media to connect with your audience?

In this episode, Kirsten Roland, Founder of Million Dollar CEO and expert marketing coach, shares why email marketing is one of the most powerful—and often underutilized—tools for nonprofits.

We dive into why email marketing can be more effective than social media when it comes to building real relationships and driving action from donors and supporters. Kirsten explains how nonprofits can use email to create deeper connections, increase engagement, and ultimately grow their funding.

We also explore practical email strategies, including what types of content nonprofits should be sending, how to nurture your audience through consistent communication, and how to structure emails for better results. Kirsten breaks down what size your email list should be—and why quality and engagement matter more than just numbers.

If you want to strengthen your donor relationships and create a more reliable communication channel, this episode will show you how to leverage email marketing effectively.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Kirsten Roland is the Founder of Million Dollar CEO and a highly respected marketing coach who helps entrepreneurs and organizations grow their businesses through strategic marketing. She specializes in email marketing, client communication, and scalable marketing systems.

Kirsten is passionate about helping nonprofits and business owners build authentic connections with their audiences and create marketing strategies that drive real results.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick
Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.