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.

Thinking about starting your own consulting business—but not sure where to begin?

In this episode, Andy Robinson brings over 27 years of experience running a successful consultancy to break down what it really takes to build and sustain a consulting practice.

We dive into the different business models consultants can follow and how to choose the right one for your goals. Andy shares practical strategies for networking effectively with nonprofits, how to land your first clients, and what to expect when transitioning from a traditional day job into consulting.

We also discuss the realities behind the scenes—like how much of your time will actually be spent on non-billable work, the importance of planning for additional tax responsibilities, and how to set yourself up for long-term success.

If you’re considering consulting or want to grow your current practice, this episode offers real-world insights to help you move forward with confidence.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Andy Robinson is a nationally recognized consultant, trainer, and author with over 27 years of experience working with nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies. He specializes in fundraising, board development, and nonprofit leadership, helping organizations strengthen their impact and sustainability.

Andy is the author of several books on nonprofit management and consulting, and is known for his practical, straightforward approach to helping consultants and organizations succeed.

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 thinking about starting your own nonprofit consultancy—or wondering how to grow the one you already have?

In this episode, Sean Kosofsky, also known as the NonProfit Fixer, brings nearly three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector to share what it really takes to build a successful consulting business. We dive into why nonprofits need consultants and the value they bring to organizations looking to grow, stabilize, or scale. Sean also breaks down how nonprofit consultancies are structured and why it’s critical not to offer every service you’re asked for—instead, focusing on what you do best.

We explore how to know when you’re ready to launch your own consultancy, the essential systems you need to have in place from the beginning, and how consultancies evolve and grow over time.

If you’re looking to build a focused, effective, and sustainable consulting business, this episode is packed with practical advice from someone who has done it successfully for decades.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Sean Kosofsky, known as the NonProfit Fixer, has nearly 30 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, including serving as executive director for five organizations. His expertise spans fundraising, communications, advocacy, management, and organizational development.

Sean has raised millions of dollars for causes, campaigns, and organizations, and his work has been featured in media outlets around the world. He is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and trainer who helps nonprofits and consultants build stronger, more effective organizations.

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.

This episode, Christian Edwards explains the ways to create a passive income using evergreen courses, the central role marketing plays in creating a passive income, and the techniques introverts can use to learn to love selling.

Christina Edwards is the Founder of Splendid Consulting and a marketing expert and experienced coach.

Christiana joins us to discuss how evergreen courses can be used to create passive income, the importance of marketing when creating passive income streams, and the different ways to sell an online course.

She also talks about how people can teach themselves to enjoy marketing, the marketing tricks introverts can use, and how you can market an online course without using social media.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to build a love for marketing and selling.
• How to create passive income with evergreen courses.
• The skills you need to effectively run online marketing and fundraising campaigns.
• The difference between an online business and an in-person agency.
• How introverts can learn to love selling.
• Different ways to sell an online course.
• The benefits of selling a course before you build it.
• How to market a course without using social media.
• Different ways to use data to improve your online course.

About Christina Edwards

Christina Edwards is the Founder of Splendid Consulting and a marketing expert and coach who helps ambitious social impact businesses and nonprofits increase revenue, supporters, and engagement.

She’s ever-passionate about equipping organizations to step into their expertise, be bold, and find their unique voice and audience online. Her packed-out workshops and courses spark enthusiasm, social action, and powerful results.

Amplify Social Impact, her signature online course teaches organizations how to make marketing movements that matter online. For more information, visit: Splendid Consulting

Connect with Christina: 

• LinkedIn
• Splendid Consulting

Quotables:

• “When building an online business you need to figure out how to love selling.” 
• “The best thing about running an online business is that you get to decide the platforms you use, so if you don’t want to be on YouTube Live, you can devote your lead gen in different ways.”
• “It is so important that you are regularly getting in front of people, it’s not a hobby, it’s a business, so you need to be regularly selling it and you can do it if you’re an introvert you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room.”

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Grant Easy Management Software
• Splendid Consulting Website
• Nonprofit Consulting Conference Online
• Purpose and Profit Club
• Ep. 243: Get Over the Overwhelm of End of Year Giving with a Proven Email Strategy
• Ep. 214: Toolkit for Nonprofits to Get Social Media Influencers and Ambassadors
• Ep. 230: How Nonprofits can Share Stories of Impact that Honor the Dignity of Clients
• Ep. 51: 6 Ways to Stand out On GivingTuesday
• Ep 195: Top Tips to Raise Funds for Your Nonprofit on GivingTuesday

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 was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here:

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.

Geri Leon Guerrero joins us to share why having a strong online presence is essential for nonprofits, and why a website is more than just a digital placeholder. With nearly two decades of experience in sales, marketing, and digital strategy, she breaks down the key functions of a nonprofit website, the importance of collecting and leveraging supporter data, and how to effectively brand your organization online. 

We also explore why social media alone isn’t enough, how to create a more impactful and conversion-driven donate button, and practical ways nonprofits can strengthen their visibility and engagement in today’s digital landscape.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Geri Leon Guerrero is the President and General Manager of Adztech & Public Relations, Inc. and Adztech Wholesale, with over 18 years of experience leading innovative sales and marketing strategies in online and social media management. She oversees company operations while directing the concept, development, and execution of media campaigns, public relations, and outreach programs tailored to client needs.

Geri has extensive experience in procurement, grants, accounts, and client services, and has led numerous local community outreach projects across Guam. She is an active board member of several civic organizations, including the Guam Contractors Association, Special Olympics Guam, Lupus Awareness Group of Guam, and the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Her company is HUBZone certified and the only business in its industry on the island designated as an Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn

Adztech

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.

In this episode, Tammy Tilzey joins us to share her insights from nearly a decade in the philanthropy sector. As the Nonprofit Relationship Manager at Foundant Technologies and a board member of the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, Tammy brings a unique perspective on bridging the gap between grant-making foundations and grant writers.

We discuss how foundations can make applications more accessible, the evolving landscape of grant-making, and why creating clear systems—separate from individuals—is essential for nonprofit success. Tammy also shares how streamlined grant writing processes can save time, increase efficiency, and ultimately boost a nonprofit’s credibility.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Tammy Tilzey has nearly a decade of experience in the philanthropy sector and currently serves as the Nonprofit Relationship Manager at Foundant Technologies. She also sits on the board of the Grant Professionals Certification Institute, supporting the advancement and professionalism 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.

Philip Deng has over a decade of experience in grant writing and is the creator of Grantable, an AI-powered world-class grant writing assistant.

Philip joins us to discuss how AI will affect future grant funding, the ways AI can help grant writers submit more grants, and how AI will affect grant writing jobs.

He also explains the ways AI is already integrated into our lives, how technology can be used to improve grant writing processes, and how we can further streamline the grant writing process.

About Philip Deng

Philip is the Co-founder and CEO of Grantable, a world-class grant writing assistant for any organization, powered by AI. He devised the prototype from 15 years of experience working with grant-funded organizations in the nonprofit sector. 

Connect with Philip:

• LinkedIn
• Grantable
• The Process
• Free Trial of Grantable

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Grantable
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy
• Grant Easy Management Software
• The Nonprofit Consulting Conference
• How Nonprofits Can Use YouTube to Increase Donations
• How Nonprofits Can Use Technology to Increase Donor Retention
• Using Chat GPT and AI for Grant Writing

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 was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 

———————————————————————————

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.

On this episode of Grant Writing & Funding, our guest Meredith Noble from Learn Grant Writing shares an inspiring journey from corporate grant writing to launching a startup idea. We learn about the challenges she faced when realizing the idea wasn’t solving a real problem that people were willing to pay for. 

Meredith emphasizes the importance of grounding ideas in addressing real problems, and she shares the lifestyle freedom she gained from entrepreneurship despite the financial difficulties. To supplement her income, Meredith started grant writing consulting and took on various projects, including returning to her family’s cattle ranch during Calving season. 

She stresses the significance of surrounding oneself with successful people and shares a personal experience of seeking coaching and mentorship from a successful female entrepreneur. The episode dives into the topic of pricing in freelance grant writing business and the importance of mindset in overcoming resistances and blocks. 

Meredith also explores the three types of work days: management days, mission days, and money days, and the need for self-care to maintain mental clarity and creativity. 

We also learn about the value of attending conferences, creating spaciousness in our lives for creativity to flow, and the important role of understanding and valuing the services we offer to clients. 

Meredith debunks misconceptions about nonprofits, discusses the impact of grants on nonprofit missions, and shares her organic networking framework to build relationships and opportunities. 

Throughout the episode, Meredith highlights the power of simplicity, focusing on principles rather than chasing trends. She also shares her experience of building a supportive community within her company and the positive impact it has on grant writers. 

We also have a discussion on the scarcity mindset ingrained in the nonprofit industry and the shift towards cultivating a positive and expansive mindset. Join us on this episode of Grant Writing & Funding as we explore the world of grant writing, entrepreneurship, and the drive for change in the nonprofit sector.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Lifestyle freedom gained from entrepreneurship
• Supplementing income through grant writing consulting
• Different types of work days: management days, mission days, and money days
• The value of attending conferences for fresh perspectives
• The value of understanding the worth one brings to clients
• Misconceptions about nonprofit budget constraints and financial needs
• The value of grants in allowing nonprofits to focus on mission instead of fundraising
• The organic networking framework for building relationships with organizations
• Funding strategy as a way to build trust and rapport with organizations
• Keeping things simple and focusing on principles rather than chasing trends
• Celebrating wins as a cultural practice within the company
• Building a supportive community of grant writers
• Criticizing the practice of hourly rates in the industry
• Cultivating a positive and expansive mindset in the nonprofit sector
• Shifting away from a scarcity mindset in nonprofits

About Meredith Noble

Meredith Noble helps the entrecurious build lifestyle freedom by taking imperfect action. She is the co-founder of Learn Grant Writing, an online membership for those building their careers in grant writing. Her book, How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn, is a bestseller for nonprofit fundraising and grants. Her expertise has been featured in NASDAQ, Forbes, Fast Company, Authority Magazine, and other top publications. She has secured over $42 million in grant funding, and her students have secured over $550 million – a number that grows daily.  If Meredith’s not biking or skiing in Alaska, she can be found curled around a steaming cup of green-tea and a good book. 

Quotables:

•  “Surrounding yourself with successful people can have a profound impact on your own success.”
•  “Grounding your ideas in a problem that people are willing to pay for is key to creating meaningful solutions.”
• “Creating spaciousness in our lives allows for creativity to flow.”
• “Your network determines your net worth.”
• “The shift away from a scarcity mindset in the nonprofit sector is a big deal, but it is still an uphill battle.”

Connect with Meredith:

• Learn Grant Writing Website
• Learn Grant Writing YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Nonprofit Consulting Conference
• Freelance Grant Writing Academy

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 s...

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.

Mandy Pearce explains the strategies for building strategic partnerships, how to know who will be a good partner for your business, and when to turn down a potential partnership.

Over a decade ago Mandy Pearce founded Funding for Good to equip organizations with all the skills and tools they need to become successful and sustainable.

Mandy joins us to discuss how most partnerships are formed, the vetting process involved in potential partnerships, and how to know who will be a good partner for your business.

She also explains the metrics you need to know before agreeing to a partnership, the type of business partnerships that you should avoid, and the downsides of affiliate marketing.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The difference between partnerships and sponsorships.
• How most partnerships are formed.
• When to turn down a strategic partnership.
• The vetting process involved in potential partnerships.
• How to know who will be a good partner for you.
• What partnerships are used for.
• The metrics you need to know before starting a partnership.
• The downsides of affiliate marketing.
• Strategies for building strategic partnerships.

About Mandy Pearce

In 2009 Mandy Pearce, founded her flagship company, Funding for Good, to equip organizations with all of the skills and tools needed to become successful and sustainable. She continues to enjoy evolving this company to meet the changing demands of the nonprofit world.

For over two decades, Mandy and her team of experts have shared their proficiency in fundraising through executive coaching, strategic and development planning, seminars and specialized consulting programs. Mandy’s dynamic teaching style has brought thousands of people to her presentations at conventions, training workshops and online platforms.

Mandy established Funding for Good, Inc. upon the core values of honesty, efficiency, direct communication and bringing sustainable dollars to local communities.

Quotables:

• “Some people are in your life for a moment and some people are there for a lifetime and partnerships are the same way. Some will constantly be there and you’ll need them in your business and others will be great for the moment and then you’ll move on”
• “I hate when nonprofits ask someone who has a company to do something for free because they’re going to get exposure, exposure doesn’t pay the bills. If you want me to speak for you it’s going to cost you money, and it should because of the area of expertise I’ve grown.”
• “You can’t compete with a personal reference, so asking who can benefit your business, what are your goals, who do I know that could help you, and who do you know? That personal reference is huge, you can’t compete with that approach of how can we help each other.”

Connect with Mandy:

• LinkedIn
• Funding for Good Website

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Nonprofit Consulting Conference Online 
• Grant Easy Management Software
• How to Identify What Rates to Charge as a Grant Writer
• How to Know When to Grow Your Nonprofit Consultancy with Mandy Pearce
• Ep. 19: Strategic Partnerships for Your Nonprofit
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy

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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This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 

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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.

Marie Palacios, Lead Consultant for Funding for Good, joins us to share how having clear, structured processes can transform your grant writing success and overall consulting business. She breaks down how to better understand and implement effective workflows, streamline your grant writing systems, and improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. 

We also explore the benefits of building your own business, the importance of identifying your “why,” and how to grow a sustainable consulting practice to six figures.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Marie Palacios is the Lead Consultant for Funding for Good, an expert facilitator, and is certified by The Institute of Cultural Affairs in the USA in evidence-based facilitation practices. She specializes in helping nonprofits and consultants develop clear processes, strengthen grant writing strategies, and build capacity for long-term success. 

Marie is passionate about guiding professionals to create impactful, sustainable businesses while aligning their work with purpose.

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.

Deborah Reed, founder of All Funded, explains what she learned from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, the benefits of having a community of grant writers, and how she increased her grant writing rates.

Deborah Reed is a full-time consultant and grant writer who completely changed the way she was running her business after joining the Grant Writing Academy.

Deborah joins us to discuss what she learned from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, the ways it changed her grant writing business to be more sustainable, and the lessons it taught her about how to charge grant writing clients.

She also explains what you need to build a grant writing consultancy, why consultants get treated better than employees, and the ways to position yourself as a thought leader.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to find a community of grant writers
• The value of defining your ideal non-profit client
• The benefits of having a niche for your grant writing services
• What you need to build a grant writing business
• How to charge for your grant writing service
• Defining what success means for you
• Why consultants get paid better than employees
• How to become a thought leader in your space
• Ways to find clients for your grant writing business
• What Deborah learned from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy

About Deborah Reed

Deborah Reed, founder of All Funded Consulting, is a highly experienced professional with a strong background in grant writing and management. With over fifteen years of expertise, Deborah has worked with esteemed arts organizations and has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector including leadership roles within multiple performing arts organizations.

Throughout her career, Deborah has actively contributed to the arts community, has served on the board of Buzzworks Theater Company for eight years, and played a vital role as a voter for the Ovation Awards for nine years.

Deborah is also a member of the Grant Professionals Association, showcasing her dedication to professional excellence in the field, and holds a Masters Degree in Arts Management from Claremont Graduate University.

Quotables:

• “I think there’s a language that different sectors have, scientists understand scientists, and artists understand artists, and those are the people on the other side who are receiving the grant too, so it’s really helpful if you can speak the same language as your grant panel.”
• “The beauty of being a full time consultant is I can start as early as I want, I can work as late as I want, I can take a break in the middle, I try not to work on the weekends but if I need to or want to I can.”
• “I’ve had some jobs that I really liked but as a consultant they treat you better and they pay you better so it’s nicer on this side.”

Connect with Deborah:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• For Hire
• Email

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Grant Easy Management Software
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy
• All Funded Resources

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 was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 

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