Grant Writing & Funding How Alex Built a Scalable Grant Writing Business and Took 2 Weeks Off Without Losing Income
What does it really take to move from freelancer to CEO—and finally take time off without your business falling apart?
In this special mentorship spotlight episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Alexandra Cohen, founder of ANC Consult, to share her journey of building, refining, and scaling her grant writing business.
Alexandra first joined one of Holly’s earliest programs back in 2022, then rejoined years later to grow and scale her business in a more sustainable way. Since then, she’s streamlined her services, shifted fully into nonprofit work, increased retainer clients, and—perhaps most importantly—built systems that allow her to step away from her business without everything stopping.
If you're ready to grow beyond freelancing, create consistent income, and build a business that supports your life (not the other way around), this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Alexandra transitioned from freelance consulting to a structured business
- The mindset shift required to scale your grant writing services
- Why systems and SOPs are critical for growth (and freedom)
- How to move into retainer-based clients for more stability
- The power of community and mastermind support in business growth
- How Alexandra now confidently takes extended vacations without losing income
- New ways to expand your services (including training programs and group offers)
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Alexandra helps nonprofits strengthen their fundraising, diversify revenue, and build the operational infrastructure needed for sustainable growth. She works with Executive Directors, development teams, and boards to clarify strategy, streamline systems, and create practical plans that translate ambitious goals into actionable, fundable plans.
Known for blending data with storytelling, Alexandra supports nonprofits in developing competitive grant proposals and donor communications that clearly articulate need, impact, and outcomes. Her work helps organizations translate programs, evaluation data, and financial priorities into compelling narratives that resonate with institutional funders and individual donors alike -strengthening funding relationships and supporting long-term revenue growth.
Before launching ANC Consult, Alexandra spent 15 years as a litigation attorney, developing skills in strategy, communication, and creative problem-solving that now inform her work with mission-driven organizations. She holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University (B.A.), Hofstra University School of Law (J.D.), and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MBA/MA in Social Enterprise & Finance and International Policy & Development).
CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
Website: https://anc-consult.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
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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.