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.

In this episode, we’re diving into how Charity Navigator helps donors make informed giving decisions and how nonprofits can better understand their ratings. I’m joined by Michael Thatcher from Charity Navigator, who breaks down how the platform works—from searching by cause areas and using filters to find aligned organizations, to discovering giving circles and engaging more strategically in philanthropy.

We also explore how Charity Navigator operates as a nonprofit, where it secures its revenue, and why it remains free to use. Plus, we take a closer look at how its rating system evaluates and ranks nonprofits, providing transparency and accountability across the sector.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Michael Thatcher is a leader at Charity Navigator, one of the most trusted nonprofit evaluation platforms. He is dedicated to increasing transparency and helping donors make informed decisions while supporting nonprofits in strengthening their impact.

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.

Every nonprofit organization has a board of directors, but understanding their roles and responsibilities can often feel unclear. While there are widely recognized “10 Best Practices” for nonprofit boards, it raises important questions—who established these standards, and are they truly the most effective?

To understand the history behind these practices, Sarah Olivieri from PivotGround joins the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast and YouTube Channel to share a different perspective. Sarah challenges the idea that board best practices are always beneficial—and explains why they might not be the best fit for your nonprofit.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Sarah Olivieri is the founder of PivotGround, where she helps nonprofit leaders build stronger, more effective organizations. She specializes in nonprofit strategy, board development, and leadership, bringing a fresh perspective on how boards can better support mission-driven work.

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.

Pricing grant writing services is a challenge that many freelance grant writers have (and for good reasons).

The thing is, a lot of freelance grant writers and nonprofit consultants go with traditional pricing vs. value-based pricing.

However, as a freelance grant writer, you are a professional and you should be charging value-based pricing.

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.

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.

#1: A Grant Writer’s Dream: The System to Build Relationships with Funding Sources 
#2: How Nonprofits & Freelance Grant Writers Can Leverage the Great Resignation
#3: How to Identify What Rates to Charge as a Grant Writer 
#4: 4 Reasons Why a Grant Writer Cannot Get Paid on Commission 
#5: Tips for Grant Writers to Work Better With Nonprofits Clients

In this power-packed solo episode, Holly Rustick dives into five essential topics every grant writer needs to master to build a sustainable, profitable, and impactful business.

First, Holly shares what she calls a “grant writer’s dream”—a system for building authentic, long-term relationships with funding sources. Instead of chasing one-off grants, you’ll learn how to position yourself and your nonprofit clients for ongoing funding success.

Next, Holly explores how both nonprofits and freelance grant writers can take advantage of the Great Resignation. With shifts in the workforce, there’s never been a better time to step into grant writing, increase your rates, and align your work with purpose-driven organizations.

She then breaks down how to confidently identify what rates to charge as a grant writer. From understanding your value to setting boundaries, this segment will help you stop undercharging and start building a scalable business.

Holly also tackles a critical industry issue: why grant writers should never be paid on commission. She outlines four clear reasons this model is problematic—and what to do instead to ensure ethical and sustainable compensation.

Finally, she shares actionable tips for working better with nonprofit clients, including communication strategies, expectation setting, and how to become a trusted partner—not just a contractor.

Whether you’re new to grant writing or looking to level up your business, this episode is packed with insights you can implement right away.

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.

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 highlights the most listened-to episodes of 2022 on the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast and why they resonated so strongly with grant writers and nonprofit leaders. 

From leveraging YouTube to increase donations and understanding bias in the nonprofit sector, to mastering the ASK formula for fundraising, improving donor retention through technology, and designing grassroots education in conflict zones—this episode recaps key insights and strategies that can help you grow your impact and funding.

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.

Knowing how to write federal grants is a powerful skill—one that opens the door to significant funding opportunities but also requires a higher level of strategy, time, and precision compared to foundation grants. In this episode, Dr. Cheri Westmoreland, owner of Spirit Excel, joins us to share her decades of experience in federal grant writing and working with nonprofit organizations.

We discuss key lessons she’s learned in the field, why having a strong nonprofit strategic plan is essential for long-term fiscal health, and how her experience as a business owner since 2012 has shaped her approach to grant writing. Dr. Cheri also shares how joining the Grant Professional Mentorship in 2022 helped her gain clarity, confidence, and stronger positioning in her business.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Cheri Westmoreland is the owner of Spirit Excel and brings decades of experience in federal grant writing and nonprofit consulting. Since launching her grant writing business in 2012, she has supported numerous organizations in securing funding and strengthening their strategic direction.

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 week’s episode, we explore how niching down in grant writing can actually help you grow your business and attract more nonprofit clients. Instead of limiting opportunities, focusing on a specific type of grant, nonprofit, or cause can position you as an expert and make your services more in demand.

I’m joined by Elaina Michaels from Refonte Ventures, who shares how she niched into agriculture-based grants by leveraging her passion for the field—and how that decision has helped expand her business. She also talks about her experience in the Grant Professional Mentorship and how it supported her growth and direction in this space.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Elaina Michaels is a grant professional with Refonte Ventures who specializes in agriculture-focused funding. By aligning her work with her passion, she has successfully built a niche grant writing business and continues to support nonprofits in securing funding within this sector.

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.

Saying thank you sometimes feels like a warm, fuzzy thing to do around the holidays. Sometimes those holidays are just the reminders that we need (along with the Netflix Christmas specials) to say the big, "Thank You!"

But what if I told you that you could increase your nonprofit organization’s revenue with existing resources just by saying thank you throughout the year?

And the best part?

You are grateful.

You are grateful for your donors.

You are grateful for your sponsors.

You are  grateful for your partners.

You are grateful for your grant funding sources.

But the problem is you might not tell them you are grateful.

Research shows that showing gratitude to donors, especially on a consistent basis, keeps up the level of the donor’s happiness levels with your nonprofit. 

It’s also common sense. How do you feel when you are thanked properly and kept up-to-date with information that you are passionate about? Good, right? Like you want to keep staying involved.

So let’s look at 20 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Show Gratitude all Year Long

Easy & Effective Thank You Tips for Donors

Donor Thank You Tip #1: Automate an Onboarding Thank You Email when Your Nonprofit Gets a New Donor

As soon as your nonprofit organization gets a new donor (whether that is a one-time donor or a recurring donor), send them a Thank You email. You can easily automate this so it’s all set up for you. 

Donor Thank You Tip #2: Send Your Newsletter to Your Donors 

Be sure to send out a newsletter to your donors to keep them updated on all the good your nonprofit organization is doing throughout the year. Only asking them to give on Giving Tuesday or once per year doesn’t form the best relationship.

But a newsletter is something you can send to all your donors so they are reminded of the work that their donation helps. 

Extra Hot Tip: Give them an ability to uplevel in the P.S. line to a higher donation amount or to become a recurring donor.

Donor Thank You Tip #3: Send a Happy Birthday Card (Virtual or Print) to Your Donors

You can definitely use software to automate this for you if you have a large number of donors. This is a great way to show your gratitude on one of their happiest days of the year!

Easy & Effective Thank You Tips for Sponsors

Sponsor Thank You Tip #1: Create an Onboarding Thank You Gift Once the Sponsorship Contract is Signed

Just like thanking your donors as soon as they give to your nonprofit organization, it is great to say thank you to your new sponsor.

A sponsor is normally a company or business that wants to give to your nonprofit for a certain event, campaign, or project. They will become a sponsor by selecting a certain level of giving (think, 5K race or Gala) and then sign a contract. 

As soon as  your nonprofit gets this sponsorship contract signed, you want to reach out and give them a small gift (or at the very least a handwritten letter).

Sponsor Thank You Tip #2: Deliver an Annual Gift (or even Video) to the Sponsors Annual Board Meeting

Another way you can stand out and show your gratitude is to deliver a small gift or video to the sponsor’s annual board meeting or their anniversary. This is a great way to appreciate them on a day that is important to them.

Sponsor Thank You Tip #3: Send Your Newsletter to Your Sponsors

Just like your donors, your sponsors want to see the good that your nonprofit is doing in the community (and not just when you are asking them for money). They want to be reminded of why they support you and applaud your efforts.

Sending a newsletter to sponsors is a great way to showcase your work and to keep you on their radar. Keeping them up-to-date is an act of gratefulness!

Sponsor Thank You Tip #4: Use Your Sponsors Logo on Marketing Materials and Website to Show Gratitude

Putting your sponsor’s logos on all your marketing materials is a great way to show gratitude. You can put it on your Zoom backdrop, on your vehicles, and so many other creative ways.

Sponsor Thank You Tip #5: Create Thank You Videos to be used on Social Media and Share Throughout the Year

Your nonprofit can share short “Thank You” videos for your sponsors throughout the year and post on social media. Make sure you tag your sponsors.

This is a great way to remind them you are thinking about them.

Easy & Effective Thank You Tips for Partners

Partner Thank You Tip #1 & #2: Create an Onboarding Thank You Email or Gift When They Become a Partner

Partners can include other stakeholders that may not be a direct financial source. Think of other nonprofits that you ask for letters of support when writing a grant proposal. However, having these sorts of partnerships is vital to your nonprofit’s overall success and can generate revenue by partnering on events, co-writing grants, and so much more.

Sometimes the partnerships aren’t created with anything formulized (like a Memorandum of Understanding), but sometimes they are. When they are more organic, and don’t have an official start date, then just remembering to send them a gift at their nonprofit’s anniversary, or an important event, is great!

When they are more formal and have a start date, then send them an onboarding email!

Partner Thank You Tip #3:  Send Your Partners Annual Holiday Thank You Cards or Gifts

Just like your sponsors, it’s great to send a random thank you throughout the year or (also) during the holidays. Remember, this isn’t the only time  you say thank you, though.

Partner Thank You Tip #4:  Send a Video Testimony to Your Partners

It’...

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.

Even if you’re not a Swiftie, you’ve probably heard about the Ticketmaster chaos surrounding Taylor Swift’s ticket sales. And while it might seem like just another tech meltdown, there’s actually a powerful lesson here for your nonprofit or grant writing business.

Because moments like these can do one of two things:
They can inspire action—or they can create fear.

Too often, we focus on everything that could go wrong. We overthink, overanalyze, and ultimately hold ourselves back from launching, publishing, or moving forward.

But here’s the reality:

None of the things that could go right will happen if you don’t hit “publish.”

In this episode, Holly breaks down how stories like the Taylor Swift + Ticketmaster situation might be subconsciously holding you back from putting your work out into the world—whether that’s a fundraising campaign, a new service, or your business itself.

She also shares four of her own real-life tech snafus and how she navigated them, course-corrected, and kept moving forward.

Because things will go wrong. That’s part of the process.

The key is not perfection—it’s progress.

If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” time or the “perfect” setup, this episode is your reminder:

Done is better than perfect.

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.

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.

Giving Tuesday is one of the biggest fundraising opportunities of the year, but only if you’re prepared.

In this episode, Holly breaks down six powerful resources you can start using right now to plan, launch, and maximize your Giving Tuesday campaign. Whether you're a nonprofit leader or a freelance grant writer supporting clients, these tools will help you build momentum, increase donor engagement, and drive more impactful results.

You’ll learn how to streamline your campaign strategy, leverage donor psychology, and tap into ready-to-use platforms that make execution easier and more effective. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed preparing for Giving Tuesday, this episode gives you a clear, actionable starting point.

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.