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.

If you are looking to increase your clarity in grant writing, then this podcast is for you! You may struggle with writing succinct grant applications because of a myriad of issues: 

• Not knowing if you include ‘enough’ words to convey your message
• Being unclear if you will reach all the grant proposal criteria points
• Being unsure if you are using the ‘right’ words

This week, Erin Lebacqz of High-Value Writing shares some great tips to write more concise grants and emails!

What We Discuss:

• Word Importance for Grants
• Grant Applications Rubric
• Ambiguous Words NOT to Use in a Grant
• Developing Relationships via Emails
• Respect for Readers
• Calendars to Reduce Email Threads
• Cold Emails to Get Sponsors
• Emojis in Your Emails
• High-Value Writing

About Erin Lebacqz

Erin Lebacqz has been helping learners reach their own writing goals for over twenty years, in both higher education and in the realms of business, government, and non-profit work. She guides learners as they develop the confidence to share their views through clear, purposeful writing. This is Erin’s way to contribute to the growth of others and of their community. She  teaches live in-person and virtual classes, as well as produces self-paced online learning videos and on-demand classes. Erin also speaks at conferences and learning sessions, and advises organizations on their language use.

Her High-Value Writing program supports writing learners by empowering them to write with purpose and intention. It helps newer and more experienced writers see language through a new lens, using words as tools to purposefully convey intentional messages. We look at ways to target and clarify messages concisely, and in a way that works for a particular reader.

Reach out to Erin Lebacqz:

• Channel: High-Value Writing
• Book: High-Value Writing
• Website: highvaluewriting.com

Related Links:

• Ep. 231: Common Grant Writing Constraints That Make You Pull Your Hair Out
• Ep. 241: Tricks to Find State Grants & Contracts
• Ep. 228: 46 Grant Writing Tips to Fast-Track Your Grant Writing
• Ep. 230: How Nonprofits can Share Stories of Impact that Honor the Dignity of Clients

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, Holly Rustick sits down with Christina to discuss why now is not the time for nonprofits to be shy about asking for donations—especially during critical fundraising seasons. They dive into how to overcome the fear of asking donors for money and introduce key strategies from a nonprofit “makeover” approach to help your organization stand out and stay top of mind. 

The conversation covers why nonprofits should increase their email outreach during end-of-year campaigns, how many emails you should actually be sending, and why duplicating content isn’t effective—along with smarter ways to repurpose social media into engaging email content. 

Christina also shares practical tips on re-engaging past donors and building stronger connections, giving nonprofits actionable ways to boost visibility, confidence, and fundraising results.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Christina is a nonprofit fundraising expert and strategist who helps organizations increase donor engagement and revenue through effective communication and campaign strategies. She specializes in guiding nonprofits to confidently ask for support, optimize their messaging, and create impactful fundraising campaigns that drive 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.

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, Holly Rustick sits down with Sean Kosofsky to share timely strategies for navigating inflation during your nonprofit’s end-of-year giving campaign while maximizing fundraising results. They cover essential foundations of end-of-year fundraising, including how to anchor your revenue goals, which funding streams to prioritize, and why it’s critical to go deeper into proven strategies during this high-impact season. 

Sean shares insights on how inflation may impact smaller individual donors and why now is the time to confidently ask major donors for increased support. 

The conversation also explores creative engagement tactics like personalized video thank-yous, optimizing your nonprofit’s technology, and repurposing strategies to stay top of mind. Looking ahead, they discuss when to begin planning for the new year and key fundraising trends to watch, giving nonprofits a clear roadmap to strengthen both current and future campaigns.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Sean Kosofsky is a nonprofit expert, fundraising strategist, and consultant who helps organizations increase revenue, strengthen campaigns, and build sustainable funding models. With extensive experience in advocacy, communications, and nonprofit leadership, Sean specializes in guiding organizations through effective fundraising strategies, especially during critical giving seasons.

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.

Did you know that you can tap into your state and city government agencies for grants or contracts for your nonprofit organization?

Yep, you can.

First you might be interested in where your state or territory comes up with grant funding (side note: this is geared toward U.S. state and territory grants). 

Where do State Grant & Contract Money Come From?

Federal Pass-Through Money

A lot of state and territory grant and contract money is derived from federal monies. This is called federal pass-through funding as it is money from the federal government awarded, “and the state governments then make subawards to other organizations to carry out the public purpose of the grant program within their state’s jurisdiction. This gives the state governments more flexibility and autonomy over the use of the federal grant funds.”

Basically this means…The federal government will award states different types of money,, and then the state is able to then fund nonprofits or other agencies grants from that money.

Taxes and Allocations

And then of course there are taxes in your state, and money that’s generated in your state. Through these allocated funds (for specific purposes) your state then awards certain monies for nonprofits,  organizations, businesses, individuals, and so forth.

Grant or Contract?

Grant funding

Grant funding is given out (usually via grant competition) and then the state will create an agreement on awarding the funds to you if you spend them how you outlined in your grant budget. 

They will also most likely demand a whole bunch of receipts and reports to ensure you are spending the money the way you said you would spend the money.

Contract funding

Now a contract on the other side is actually legally binding. They can take you to court if you don’t spend the money the way you said you were gonna spend the money. But at the same time, there’s a little bit more flexibility in the funding.

For reports to draw down contract money, you may just need to show the monthly or quarterly deliverables in the scope of work (not all the receipts for every penny). 

If you met under budget and you still met all of your goals, you will still be awarded the money under the contract, whereas with a grant you might only be reimbursed for what you actually spent. 

So there could be a little bit more flexibility and less reporting with contracts. However, you will have a legally binding contract for due diligence.

If you can get a contract, go after the contract. If you can get a grant, go after the grant. If you can go after both. Go after both. 

Where to Find State Grants & Contracts

Now, where do you find this state money? 

State and City Agency Websites

You can definitely find it by looking at your state agency and city agency websites. The issue with websites is that each state and city government agency may not use the same language on their website to announce their grant and contract opportunities.

Some key words to look for include: “RFP,” “Announcement,” “News,” “Grants,” and so forth.

Newspapers

Another place you can find out about state and city agency grants and contracts is in the newspaper.

I know we haven’t heard about the newspaper in a long time, but believe you me, a lot of these agencies must publish their announcements and they still use the newspapers. 

Social Media

Follow the state and city agencies that might have grant or contract opportunities for your nonprofit! Some of these different agencies are now active on social media and will also publish their announcements there.

You can also see what else is going on at these agencies and find some great statistics or reports that might resonate with your nonprofit. 

Reach out to a Point of Contact at State or City Agency

You can even call a state or city agency program officer and ask if they can add you to their email list (if they have one), so you can stay up-to-date with announcements.

Importance of State Grants & Contracts

And why are these types of funding important? 

Well, because if your nonprofit is serving in your certain geographic area of that city agency or that state government agency, then that is a win. State and city governments primarily give out funding in their geographic area to move forward their priorities!

So don’t fall into the trap of only looking for federal or foundation grants! There is a huge money pot available for you in your city and state. Try the above ways to tap into it and let me know what you find! 

Links:

• For more on how to write and find federal grants, sign up for our On-Demand Grant Writing Master Course
• To learn How to Become a Federal Grant Reviewer, click here.
• Find out more about where to find Federal Grants, click here

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 ...

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.

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.

Amy Cross joins us to unpack the realities of gender equity in the nonprofit sector and challenge the assumption that a female-dominated industry automatically ensures fairness. We explore how organizations can intentionally use funding to support equity, what a Gender Fair Assessment looks like, and why data and transparency—especially around pay—are critical to progress. 

Amy also shares insights on workplace priorities, policies nonprofits should evaluate, the role of vendors in advancing equity, and how broader movements for economic power and gender fairness are shaping the future of the sector.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Amy Cross is a leader in advancing gender equity through data-driven strategies and advocacy. She is deeply involved in the Gender Fair movement, which works to promote fairness in workplaces, organizations, and systems by evaluating policies, pay structures, and leadership practices. 

With a background in data journalism and social impact, Amy helps organizations better understand inequities and implement actionable solutions to create more inclusive and equitable environments.

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, Holly Rustick sits down with Kamy Akhavan, Executive Director of the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, to explore what today’s growing political divide means for nonprofit organizations—and how to navigate it with intention, clarity, and impact. 

Together, they unpack key concerns nonprofits face, including which social movements to advocate for on social media, whether taking a public stance could risk losing funders, and if staying within familiar networks limits growth and influence. The conversation dives into how nonprofits can bridge polarization by understanding internal biases shaped by external forces, recognizing the impact of disappearing shared public spaces, and learning how to engage in meaningful, respectful dialogue across differences. 

They also discuss how to communicate using neutral, inclusive language, lead with empathy, and listen to opposing viewpoints as a path forward. With a focus on education-based advocacy, this episode highlights how to determine when your nonprofit should speak up, how to approach social media strategically, and why it’s essential to include perspectives outside your usual circle to create lasting impact.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Kamy Akhavan is the Executive Director of the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, where he leads efforts to bridge partisan divides and promote civil discourse through education, dialogue, and leadership development. With a background in media, technology, and public engagement, Kamy has worked across sectors to advance initiatives that bring people together across differences. 

His work focuses on equipping leaders and organizations with the tools to navigate complex political landscapes and foster constructive conversations that drive meaningful change.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Center for the Political Future: https://dornsife.usc.edu/center-for-political-future/

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.

Your nonprofit may be considering hiring a grant writer... BUT the bigger questions is: "Should you hire a freelance grant writer or a staff grant writer?” Check out all the reasons your nonprofit may want to join in the Freelance Revolution to save money, management woes, and resources when hiring a freelance grant writer. Check out the glorious pros and the meh cons.

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:  Get your Business Formerly Set Up

Should you open an LLC or Sole Proprietorship? 

The answer to this question really depends on your state and what your goals are. 

Other items you will want to do are consider getting your business bank account set up and identifying the name of your business.

There’s nothing sweeter than getting your first check written out to your business :). Plus, when you go to your accountant you can run your report from your business account and not your personal bank account. OMG, this saves SO much headache at the end of the year and keeps things clean.

We go over how to do all these steps in week one of the 8-Week Freelance Grant Writer Academy! Plus, you will:

• Understand the differences between starting a Sole Proprietorship or LLC
• Create a customized success pathway
• Create values for easy decision-making in your business
• Get your bank account set up

#2: Identify Your Ideal Client & Service

Now that you have your business set up, you need to know who you are going to serve. If you don’t know who you will serve then it’s going to be tough to market and get clients.  

A big mistake I see most freelance grant writers make is to try and serve all nonprofits.

Unless you will serve all nonprofits with a specific service (such as doing Nonprofit Wellness Audits) then this could be a big no-no.

You can decide what type of nonprofit you want to serve based on the subject matter of a nonprofit (i.e. conservation, education, etc.), size (i.e. pup nonprofits), or geographic location.

For your services, you can decide if you want to specialize in a certain service or be a generalist. 

If you specialize you might only do grant research, write certain federal grants, etc. If you are more of a generalist, you might write grants, help nonprofits get set up, conduct nonprofit strategic planning, etc.

By being clear about who you serve and what you do, you will be able to create better services and market those services efficiently.

We go over how to do all these steps in week two of the 8-Week Freelance Grant Writer Academy! Plus, you’ll:

• Map out your ideal client avatar
• Develop a nonprofit lead list 
• Identify Your Nonprofit Niche
• Figure out if you are a Generalist or Specialist

#3: Create Branding for Your Freelance Grant Writing Business

Your branding is how your business will resonate with nonprofit organizations. That does not mean you should randomly pick out colors and go for it! If you do that, you will be re-branding before you hit publish on your website.

But to really feel like you are confidently representing yourself and connecting with those ideal clients, it takes a little bit of time.

But this time saves you so much more time in the future. 

Be sure to create mission and vision statements for your business and run a SWOT analysis. This will help you define what that branding image looks like and that you actually love it!

We go over how to do all these steps in week three of the 8-Week Freelance Grant Writer Academy! Plus you will:

• Get a Crash Course in Website Ideas
• Get Branding Templates 
• Create a mission and vision statement 
• Conduct a SWOT analysis 

#4: Create a Working Schedule

I know you opened your freelance grant writing business so you could work whenever you want and not report to “The Man”. Guess what? You are now the “The Woman” or “The Man.”

Having a schedule doesn’t mean it has to look the same as an 8-to-5 job. But most freelance grant writers actually start working way more than 40 hours a week and work creeps into weekends and vacations.

We need to nip that in the bum. Pronto. 

However you want to set up your schedule, you still need a schedule! 

This is one of the hardest steps I have seen freelance grant writers get used to. Let’s face it. Regular jobs don’t really depend on output as much as they do on you showing up and taking up space.

But your business requires output. So you need to make sure you schedule out your week in advance!

We go over how to do all these steps in week four of the 8-Week Freelance Grant Writer Academy! Plus, you get:

• Holly’s Ideal Work Week Schedule
• Tips on when to hire (and who) to help out with your work
• A Client Time Tracker so you get paid for all your time!

#5: Develop a Pricing Model

Okay, it’s time to talk about money. You need to get paid as a freelance grant writer! 

These are all things to consider when developing your pricing model.

Don’t stress too much about this. You can always change it whenever you want to!

But do figure out how you will charge your customers.

I go over how to do all these steps in week five of the 8-Week Freelance Grant Writer Academy! Plus, you:

• Get a Template on Having Conversations Around Pricing and Packaging
• Learn the art of developing proposals
• Get Sample Retainers  
• Receive a Post Discovery Call Template 
• Get a Checklist and Scr...

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.

There’s a lot changing in the nonprofit sector as we navigate 2022—and in many ways, it’s a doozy (in a good way!).

In this episode, Shannon McCracken, leader of The Nonprofit Alliance, joins us to break down the latest trends shaping nonprofits today—from policies and training to fundraising and job opportunities. We explore how organizations like The Nonprofit Alliance are working to strengthen the sector, the impact of past tax laws and recent IRS changes on charitable giving, and why data privacy is becoming a growing concern that could affect donor trust.

We also dive into evolving job trends in the nonprofit space, how organizations are rethinking employee value and retention, and why year-end fundraising and overall giving trends are showing signs of optimism. Plus, we discuss how COVID-19 has pushed nonprofits to innovate and think differently about fundraising strategies moving forward.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve and understand what’s shaping the future of nonprofits, this episode is packed with timely insights.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Shannon McCracken is the President and CEO of The Nonprofit Alliance (TNPA), a national organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and strengthening the nonprofit sector. Since its launch in 2018, TNPA has worked to provide advocacy, education, and resources to support nonprofit organizations across the United States.

With a strong background in nonprofit leadership and public policy, Shannon is passionate about advancing ethical fundraising practices, supporting nonprofit professionals, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sector.

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

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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.