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.

Yes, meaningful conversations are a must if you want effective solutions for your nonprofit strategies.

I know. It’s easier for many nonprofit leaders to just ask, “Can you just make me a fundraising content calendar within the hour?”

But what if that fundraiser isn’t really what your nonprofit needs to grow?

I know it can feel taxing to try and fit in a conversation about why you even want the fundraiser in the first place (because we always have one) or what the real outcome you want that fundraiser to have for your nonprofit (er, money?). But the immediate answers aren’t always the right ones.

In this week’s episode, Nonprofit Strategist Julie Platts guides me through how she goes deep with nonprofit clients to ask some of these specific questions. After all, she is a nonprofit strategist for a reason.

What you hear might surprise you. But chances are, it will also inspire you to slow down for a few shakes so you can speed up with efficiency with your strategies. There are a lot of ‘a-ha!’ moments in this episode. Believe me.

Plus, since Julie is also a consultant, she also shares with me some consultancy wisdom. We go deep on this too! I love how she talks about how she organizes her time and selects ideal clients.

Need I say more? Just listen. Believe me, you’ll thank me ;)

What we discuss:

• How to have those meaningful conversations with nonprofit leaders
• What questions to ask nonprofits when prepping for strategic planning
• Why services usually need to change during these deep dives
• Why it’s okay that these services change ;)
• How to select ideal clients by using a ‘warm’ technique
• Other amazing stuff that you just need to tune-in and listen to!

About Julie Platts

Julie Platts is an “accidental entrepreneur” serving social impact leaders across the US. As a Nonprofit Strategy Consultant, Julie uses her 15 years of nonprofit leadership and research experience to help leaders make informed, supported decisions and amplify impact. She specializes in communications, income generation, program development, and relationship building.

Julie is known for creating safe spaces for teams to develop authentic and trusting relationships so they can move forward with agile and adaptive strategies. Bringing heart, humor, wisdom, and expertise to each strategy session and coaching call, Julie helps leaders walk away with clarity, confidence, and renewed invigoration for their work.

Julie is on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for The Lucy Project, a start-up nonprofit that spends its days working with some of the smartest kids in Miami who just so happen to have reading-based learning differences like dyslexia. Julie has her Master’s degree in Women, Violence, and Conflict from the University of York in the UK where she researched Amnesty International’s “Rape. Weapon of War.” campaign. She has her Bachelor’s degree from UNCC where she collaborated on research for Habitat for Humanity’s multi-family housing initiatives. Julie has her certification in Nonprofit Management from the Florida Association of Nonprofits and Nova Southeastern University.

Julie lives in Delray Beach, FL, and is often found frolicking through South Florida’s wetlands and woodlands with her husband and their 3-year old and 18-month-old children.

My Freelancing Journey (so far) – Julie Platts

I didn’t mean to start a freelance business. It was an accident. An accident that has turned into a beautiful adventure. It started as a thought, a fun hobby after my daughter turned one. And then it grew legs of its own. I’ve been sprinting to keep up with it ever since.

By my daughter’s first birthday, I had already been away from the nonprofit sector in a leadership capacity for three years. I left to revel in new motherhood when my son was born. I have always been a compulsive volunteer, so that was still a part of my life, but I had a desire to go back to philanthropy writing. Communications, deep storytelling, and relationship-building had always been my passion.

It seems like the second I breathed that intention into a conversation with friends, the ball started rolling on its own. Nonprofit leaders started reaching out to me for support. They wanted web content writing, messaging advice, campaign writing, strategy consulting, and grant writing. I had a successful track record with grant writing in the past but always wanted to learn more about it, so I took Holly Rustick’s Grant Writing Master Class and began writing funding proposals.

I started out trying to help everyone for free. I was still a full-time, stay-at-home parent, so I was squeezing in content writing and consulting during my kids’ nap times. I was staying up until midnight writing grants and eating popcorn and M&Ms and peanut butter straight out of the jar. When my mom or husband had the kids, I would work in my car just to have some quiet as grant deadlines barreled towards me.

I have worked long enough in the nonprofit sector to know what survival mode, stress, and overwhelm look like. And I was full-on in that state. I thought, “What do I tell the nonprofit leaders I work with to do when I see them stuck in survival mode?” I say, “Let’s step back. Take a deep breath. Remember the big
picture. Find the “why.” Find someone outside of the problem to support you. Create an intentional strategy and next best actions that bring you closer to your vision. Ask someone to keep you accountable. Move steadily and at a pace that is kind to yourself.”

So I did just that. I set out to build my own capacity. I began charging, I moved my work into a co-working space, I found a soulful business strategy coach to support me, I resolved to drop the services that didn’t make me feel energized, joyful, and fulfilled. I owed that to my family…and myself. I had to do what all organizations need to do: know the vision, remember the mission, evaluate impact, and iterate constantly to offer something truly special and transformative to the world…and become radically self-aware and courageous in the process. It is an ongoing, ever-evolving exercise – and it’s exhilarating.

I have begun building a network around me of talented grant writers, marketers, web designers, nonprofit attorneys, accountants, and other nonprofit consultants to take on work that is not in my zon...

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 find yourself Googling when looking for grant funding or not even knowing where to start, then this podcast episode is for you!

I’ve got Gauri Manglik, CEO and co-founder of Instrumentl on the show, and we go behind-the-scenes on how to use this platform.

What is Instrumentl?

It’s a fundraising platform tool to help you find, well, funds. Looking for grants? This is your hub.

About Gauri Manglik

Gauri Manglik is the CEO and co-founder of Instrumentl, the institutional fundraising platform.

Under her leadership, Instrumentl has grown to serve over 1,400 nonprofits, quickly becoming a favorite tool among grant seekers for bringing grant prospecting, tracking, and management to one place.

Gauri has dedicated her career to building intuitive and delightful user experiences. Seeing the opportunity to force multiply the nonprofit sector’s ability to create impact through software led her to her work at Instrumentl.

Before Instrumentl, Gauri was CEO and co-founder of Fondu, an online community for sharing bite-sized restaurant reviews. After Fondu was acquired by Airbnb, Gauri led their mobile and special projects teams.

Gauri holds a BA in Computer Science from NYU.

CEO & Co-founder, Instrumentl
914-263-6868 | @gauri on Twitter

What we Discuss in this Podcast About Instrumentl:

• Why Instrumentl was created
• The new tools on Instrumentl (includes 990 magic)
• How to use Instrumentl for grant tracking
• How to use Instrumentl for grant research
• What types of grants are available on Instrumentl
• Secret (not-so-secret anymore!) announcement coming up!

Links Related to this Podcast:

• Ep. #108. Freelance Grant Writing Wisdom with Dr. Beverly A. Browning. Click here.
• Ep. #107. Behind the Scenes with the Co-Founder of Instrumentl (Plus, grant research tutorial!). Click here.
• Ep. #80: 8 Ways to Cite Research for Grants. Click here.
• Free & Recommended Resources. Click here.
• Instrumentl.com 

OTHER RESOURCES:

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

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

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

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

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

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

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

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.

Have you ever wondered how to write the evaluation section of a grant proposal? Maybe you sat there at 2 a.m. (of course the night before a grant is due) and scratched your head as you came across this section towards the end of a grant.

Er, yep. Funding sources do want to know how you will evaluate what you say you are going to do. Are you proposing to house 30 sloths within 12 months?

Well, you better include how you will evaluate that those 30 sloths will be housed!

But seriously, you do need to identify how  you will evaluate your program in grant proposals.

In this week's podcast, Dr. James Pann goes over how to write the evaluation section of a grant proposal (and he gives his top tips!).

What We Discuss:

• Evaluation methodologies (not complicated, I promise!)
• IRB approval and reasons you might need this for research
• How to know what the funding sources require for the Needs & Research sections
• How to design an evaluation plan
• Why writing a poor evaluation section could ruin your grant award

About Dr. James Pann

James Pann received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin. He obtained his M.S.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami. Dr. Pann completed his clinical internship at Nova Southeastern University Community Mental Health Center in neuropsychology, behavioral medicine, and adult and child psychotherapy. 

Additionally, he had a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric behavioral medicine at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami/ Jackson Memorial Medical Center. He also completed a Family Therapy Externship at the Center for Family Studies at the University of Miami.

Dr. Pann is also an Associate Professor at the Abraham S. Fischler College of Education where he focuses on teaching program evaluation and conducting research and evaluation projects. Dr. Pann is interested in the use of program evaluation approaches to study and improve educational, health and human service programs. He is a licensed psychologist in Florida and an active member of the American Evaluation Association.

Dr. Pann has been Principal Consultant of EvalNetwork, a research and evaluation consulting firm, since 2000. EvalNetwork specializes in working with education, health and human service organizations and grant making entities. The firm has worked on a wide variety of projects, from systems of care and other collaborations, to substance abuse, mental health and afterschool programs, with organizations of all sizes. EvalNetwork has worked as evaluator or research partner on local and national projects funded by foundations and government agencies.

Connect with James:

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jpann
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evalnetwork/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pannjames/
• Website: www.evalnetwork.com

Related Links:

• Episode #112: Writing a Successful Evaluation Section with Dr. James Pann. Click here.
• Episode #82: How to Submit for IRB and Conduct a Needs & Strengths Assessment with Dr. Ellen. Click here.
• Episode #171: 6 Hacks to Score High on a Grant Application That Will Surprise You. Click here.
• Episode #141: Grant Writing Made Easy: 5 Hacks to Write a Grant Proposal. Click here
• Episode #169: What is the Difference Between an Output and an Outcome in a Grant Proposal? Click here

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.

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 stuck in not knowing which type of grant writing resources to help you find, manage, and (eventually) win grants? Well, today is your lucky day!

I’m giving the full review of 8 grant writing resources!

As a 15+ year grant writing veteran I have seen some amazing resources come and go, and I’ve seen other ones evolve. I am highlighting 8 resources that I LOVE and some of these I use on a consistent basis!

In fact, I am using one right now (after you read through my recommendations, have a guess at which one I am using at this moment!).

In full transparency, I do have partnerships (and receive affiliate payments) with some of these products below and offer coupon codes for you. I do this as I love, love, love these products and they are proven to help grant writers succeed! 

1) Federal Grants: Grants.Gov

This is for you if you are seeking federal grants. And this one is free!

This is a U.S. government e-platform and is where all federal grants are required to be published. I recommend joining the email list and checking the boxes on what types of grants you are interested in being notified of.

Click here to visit Grants.gov.

2) Federal Grants: Federal Agency Websites

Okay, this one has a lot of links. What I recommend you do is visit the federal agency websites that are related to your nonprofit. Even though all federal grants are published on Grants.gov, it is still good to visit the federal agency website where the grant originates from.

For example, the Department of Education will publish a grant Funding Opportunity Announcement on Grants.gov. But you can visit the Department of Education website to get more information about the grant, check former and current awardees, and sometimes even find REAL nonprofit applications that have been funded. Gold mine!

Click here for a link to all the federal agency websites.

3) Nonprofit & Foundation Information: Guidestar.org

Guidestar.org is a great place to find both nonprofits and foundations. (Your nonprofit might even be listed here!) Check it out to ensure that your nonprofit’s profile is updated and accurate as funding sources sometimes check out Guidestar.org when reviewing grants!

You can also look at foundations and check things like 990s! This is a great way to see what foundations are actually funding for reals.

Click here to visit Guidestar.org

4) Foundation and Federal Grant Research: Instrumentl

Looking for a grant research platform that includes foundation grants? Instrumentl is a an intuitive online software that matches your specific programs with funding opportunities.

Click here to check out Instrumentl (utilize code HOLLY50 to get a 2-week free trial and save $50 off your subscription).

5) Grant Management: GEMS (Grant Easy Management Software)

GEMS was built by a grant writer to manage nonprofit clients, previously submitted grants, and more!

Never miss a grant deadline with this program management system developed specifically for grants writers.

Click here and put in  to save $50!

6) Project Management: Asana

Track your fundraiser, project, and more (and share with your team!).

You can also upload all files and graphics needed for projects so no more digging through emails!

Check out Asana today, by clicking here.

7) Graphics: Canva

I love, love, lova Canva! Do you need to create social media posts, fliers, or even webpages?

Check out Canva for even the dinosaur techies! It’s so easy to use and has tons of templates!

Click here!

8) Time Tracking: Toggl

Yes, time tracking is a thing.

It’s actually a major item that every grant writer should use! You need to know about how long it takes you to write a foundation grant, a federal grant, a fundraising proposal and more!

All you have to do is write what you are doing and it tracks your time! Plus, it gives you  reports and more. This is also great for freelance grant writers who need to bill for your time. It’ll track everything and you can send your clients a jazzy report! Plus, there’s an app.

Click here for Toggl!

Let me know which (if any) of these grant resources you just LOVE! Also, did you guess which one I am using right now? Toggl! That’s right! I track my time for my work on podcasting and writing articles :)

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/ 

...

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.

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.

Learning how to write objectives for grant application proposals is essential to your grant writing success.

This is often overlooked.

Many people think an objective can just be a wish. Such as, “We hope to accomplish this program.”

Let’s just start with Captain Obvious. Would you be willing to give someone money for a project if they only hoped to accomplish it?

Or would you be willing to shell out dough for a project that had a goal of ‘Ending Poverty for All” but there was no plan on how to accomplish that goal?

Sometimes it helps to flip the script and pretend you are the funding source, rather than the applicant.

But how do you create a plan (objectives) for a grant proposal? What is the secret formula?

Goals

Let’s start by writing a clear goal. We can refer to an example from the Amazon bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing:  Youth Soccer Rocks nonprofit (yes, fictitious) in the city of Rocking Socks City (also fictitious) who are creating a project that will serve underserved youth in their city.

Their problem statement may be:

The goal would basically be flipping this problem statement around:

So now that you have the goal, let’s take the next step. How do you achieve the goal?

Well, that is done through…

Objectives

Think of a goal as an overarching aim, and objectives as the specific framework of what will be accomplished. Typically, you do not want to have any more than three objectives within a project.

You will have many activities, but the number of overall objectives should be clear and concise.

Objectives need to be S.M.A.R.T.; specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

An objective for Youth Soccer Rocks could be 100 disadvantaged youth in Rocking Socks will receive sports scholarships by the end of twelve months. 

SMART Method

Let’s break this down into each part of the acronym S.M.A.R.T., and by the end you will have one entire objective.

• Specific: Identify the outcomes that will be achieved:
  • Ex. Number of youth, type of youth, what their specific outcome will be.
• Measurable: Use quantifiable terms to describe how the progress will be measured.
  • Ex. Number of youth (100) and number of scholarships.
• Achievable: Is the objective achievable within the duration of the project, resources, budget, etcetera?
  • Ex. This would be balanced by the needs; i.e. If there are thousands of youth who are disadvantaged in the city and no other free soccer organizations, then this could be achievable.
• Relevant: Does the objective relate to the problem statement and goal?
  • Ex. Yes, this is a possible solution to the health conditions.
• Time-bound: Do you have a date for the objective to be completed by? Tip: Start off with the end in the beginning of the objective, such as; By the end of 12 months…
  • Ex. They will complete this objective by the end of 12 months.

Get the FREE Workbook!

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 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

Related Links:

• Episode #6: Write Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for Your Grant Proposal. Click here.
• Episode #143: 5 Most Popular Grant Writing Questions. Click here.
• Episode #160: 2 Questions You Should Ask ...

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 struggling to get donations through your nonprofit’s website—even after setting everything up? You’ve added the donate button, connected your payment system, and made your site live… but still, nothing. It’s frustrating—and it might even make you wonder if people care about your mission. But here’s the truth: they probably do.

In this episode, Brady Josephson from NextAfter Institute breaks down what’s really going on—and why the issue often isn’t your mission, but the experience. We dive into the concept of donor friction and how small barriers—like broken links, too many form fields, or confusing steps—can stop someone from giving altogether. Brady shares practical ways to reduce friction and improve your online donation process so more visitors actually become donors.

We also explore key trends in online giving, including the significant growth in digital donations, and why nonprofits need to invest in technology and smarter digital strategies moving forward. Additionally, we discuss how to better connect with donors through more frequent email communication, why it’s important to remember that “you are not your donor,” and how combining both online and offline touchpoints—like email, social media, phone calls, and direct mail—can strengthen donor relationships and increase giving.

If you want to turn your website into a more effective fundraising tool, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can start using right away.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Brady Josephson is a nonprofit marketing and fundraising expert and a leading voice at NextAfter Institute, where he helps organizations grow their digital fundraising through research-backed strategies. He specializes in optimizing online donor experiences, reducing friction, and increasing conversions for nonprofit organizations.

Brady is passionate about helping nonprofits better understand donor behavior and implement simple, effective changes that lead to measurable increases in giving.

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.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night realizing you missed a grant deadline?

Or maybe you submitted a grant months ago… and now you can’t find the final application anywhere?

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and this episode is for you.

In this episode, Rachel Waterman, CEO and Founder of GDS Grants, shares how to simplify grant management so you can stay organized, professional, and on top of every opportunity. We dive into her journey into grant writing (including her time in the Peace Corps), how leveraging your strengths can elevate your work, and her unique systems for managing both grants and clients.

Rachel also breaks down how to effectively track upcoming opportunities so you never miss a deadline, how to manage multiple nonprofit clients with ease, and how to strengthen your professionalism as a grant writer. We explore how to write clear objectives and goals, as well as the similarities between federal and foundation grant writing—so you can streamline your approach across funding sources.

If you’re ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control of your grant pipeline, this episode will give you the systems and strategies you need.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Rachel Waterman has over 25 years of community development and grant writing experience and is a Grant Professional Certified (GPC), Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), and a Grant Professionals Association (GPA) Approved Trainer. She holds a Master’s degree in community and economic development with a concentration in applied social research from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s degree in international studies from Barry University.

Her career spans a wide range of roles, including Peace Corps Volunteer, nonprofit executive director, community organizer, city master planner, researcher, and Mayor of Lake Worth Beach, Florida.

Rachel is the CEO and Founder of GDS Grants, where she leads client strategy, program and budget development, data tracking systems, and outcome measurement. She also oversees the GDS Professional Development Program and mentors interns, fellows, and grant professionals.

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.