Grant Writing & Funding

Sean Kosofsky, the Nonprofit Fixer, joins us to break down the opportunities and challenges grant writers and nonprofits may face heading into 2025 in a post-election landscape. Drawing on his decades of experience in politics and the nonprofit sector, Sean shares key trends to watch, how shifting policies may impact funding, and what organizations can do now to stay ahead. We also explore how grant writers can position themselves strategically, adapt to change, and continue growing their impact in an evolving funding environment.ABOUT OUR GUESTSean Kosofsky is the founder of Nonprofit Fixer, where he helps nonprofits grow their impact through smarter fundraising, advocacy, and strategic planning. With decades of experience in politics and the nonprofit sector, Sean has raised millions of dollars, trained thousands of leaders, and advised organizations across the country.Known for his practical, no-nonsense approach, Sean specializes in helping nonprofits navigate change, strengthen their funding strategies, and build sustainable organizations that thrive in complex 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/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, 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 RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.---------------------------------------------------This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by Bloomerang! Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps nonprofits across the U.S., like the 500 Festival Foundation, which increased their annual fundraising by an outstanding 50% after adopting Bloomerang. If you’re ready to switch to a CRM that does more while you do less, book your demo today and learn how you can raise more with Bloomerang’s fundraising tools. Visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ to learn more.---------------------------------------------------

Book your 3-Hour 1:1 Intensive Coaching with Holly Rustick by Dec. 3rd. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/intensives Eek! This is the first time that I have done 1:1 Intensives in YEARS and I miss them 🙂. But I also understand there are a lot of you aspiring and seasoned grant writers out there right now who want to make 2025 your best year yet. And you want a coach to look over your business (or potential business) so you have guidance for the entire year. Your private 1:1 coaching intensive with me includes: - A 3-Hour 1:1 Strategy Intensive Call with Holly - 2-Week Follow-Up Emails / Voxer Support for any Clarification - Clarity on your Services to earn another $30k-$50K in your grant writing business - A Money Plan to feel more peaceful in your business in 2025. - A Launch Calendar and Strategy for 2025 to hit all your Goals - ready to go! No more trying to do your year planning in January or February! Even if you have not launched your grant writing business yet, or are making multiple six figures in your business already, this 1:1 intensive coaching will save you years of paralyzation and challenges so you can have a more peaceful and quick path to earning your first or additional $30-$50K. This is the first time I have opened up my 1:1 Intensives in YEARS and I only have 5 slots available. These will fill out quickly. ​Sign up now to secure your spot (before it’s gone), or book a sales call. Looking forward to coaching you and helping you have your best year ever in 2025 before it even gets here! https://grantwritingandfunding.com/intensives

Find out why federal priorities shift in grant-making, when they do, and how you can be prepared for 2025. Federal grant funding changes and shifts are a reflection in many things, including:Responses to Society and Cultural Norms/ChangesAdministration Changes & Shifts in Priorities Global Events (Covid-19 is a recent example here) The reality is that grant funding is really a reflection on all the above. As a grant writer, it is important to pay attention to what is going on so we can lead nonprofits, individuals, governments, businesses, and organizations that we work with.Tune in today to hear what Holly has to say about the upcoming federal shifts and what you can be doing, no matter what your cause area is.Tune in today to listen to this podcast.Links Mentioned in the PodcastFreelance Grant Writer AcademyABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant 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 PODCASTFavor, 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 RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This Podcast Episode is Lovingly Sponsored by:Your fundraising efforts should be tailored to the different ways Gen Z and Baby Boomer donors engage with nonprofits. Backed by data from over 1,000 donors, the 2024 Generational Giving Report from Bloomerang and Qgiv reveals key differences in how various generations discover, connect with, and support nonprofits. Download your report today.———————————————————————————

In this podcast episode, Erin Davis discusses what you need to consider when branding your freelance grant writing website and business.It’s more than just colors or fonts when understanding how to make your freelance grant writing business stand out among other grant writers. Learn how to communicate your services, experience, and passion easily with your brand.Tune in today to listen to this podcast.About Erin DavisI’m a former ‘forced’ entrepreneur who embraced remote work long before it became the norm. With an Ag Science degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and nearly completed Master’s in Ag Communications, I started my career in Montana, writing about hardworking ranchers and even breeding cows (yes, really!). My journey wound through various ag-based non-profits until marriage and motherhood nudged me to work for myself, serving the same clients who had been my employers.Despite many years of success, burnout pushed me to (desperately) dream bigger. That’s why I founded Matchbox Women, a haven for women entrepreneurs to build their brands with clarity and confidence, harmonizing work and life with our spirits.Connect with Erin DavisWebsiteEmailLinkedInLinks Mentioned in the PodcastFreelance Grant Writer AcademyOTHER 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 PODCASTFavor, 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 RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.This Podcast Episode is Lovingly Sponsored by:Your fundraising efforts should be tailored to the different ways Gen Z and Baby Boomer donors engage with nonprofits. Backed by data from over 1,000 donors, the 2024 Generational Giving Report from Bloomerang and Qgiv reveals key differences in how various generations discover, connect with, and support nonprofits. Download your report today.

In this week’s episode of the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast, Holly Rustick sits down with Amy Willard Cross, founder of GenderFair, to discuss groundbreaking efforts to bring gender equality evaluations to nonprofits. GenderFair—known for assessing businesses, organizations, and governments for gender representation and pay equity—has expanded its work to evaluate nonprofits using IRS 990 data and other sources.Together, Holly and Amy explore how GenderFair analyzes leadership, pay disparity, and diversity reporting across 22,000 nonprofits, why gender equality matters across the sector, and how donors and freelance grant writers can leverage this data for more informed decision-making. They also discuss GenderFair’s innovative app for rating companies and how nonprofits can use these insights to improve equity, transparency, and impact.ABOUT OUR GUESTAmy Willard Cross is the founder of GenderFair, an organization dedicated to advancing gender equality through data-driven evaluations. GenderFair assesses companies, organizations, and institutions on representation, pay equity, and diversity, empowering consumers, donors, and stakeholders to make informed, values-based decisions.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTLinkedIn Website: Gender FairOTHER 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/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, 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 RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by Bloomerang! Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps nonprofit across the U.S., like the 500 Festival Foundation, which increased their annual fundraising by an outstanding 50% after adopting Bloomerang If you’re ready to switch to a CRM that does more while you do less, book your demo today and learn how you can raise more with Bloomerang’s fundraising tools. Visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ to learn more.———————————————————————————

In this episode, Rachel Werner breaks down the latest updates to the OMB Super-Circular federal guidelines—and what they mean for grant writers right now. And here’s a big one: the indirect de minimis rate is going up.But that’s not all.Rachel walks us through key changes in procurement standards, shares insights on what’s coming down the pike, and explains how these updates can directly impact how you write, budget, and manage federal grants.If you work with federal funding—or want to—this is one of those episodes you don’t want to skip.It’s practical, timely, and packed with must-know information to help you stay compliant and competitive in the evolving grants landscape.ABOUT OUR GUESTRachel Werner is a federal grant expert, trainer, and founder of RBW Strategy and MyFedTrainer. She specializes in helping organizations and grant professionals understand and navigate federal grant compliance, procurement standards, and OMB Uniform Guidance.With deep expertise in federal funding regulations, Rachel provides training and consulting to ensure grant recipients and writers stay compliant while maximizing funding opportunities.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTMyFedTrainer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myfedtrainer-com/ Rachel Werner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabwerner/ RBW Strategy Website: https://rbwstrategy.com/ MyFedTrainer Website: https://myfedtrainer.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/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, 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 RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode is sponsored by Bloomerang!Bloomerang is a donor management and fundraising platform built specifically for nonprofits to help you raise more, retain donors, and grow your impact. With powerful tools for donor engagement, reporting, and relationship management, Bloomerang makes it easier to build meaningful connections and drive sustainable funding.Learn more at: https://bloomerang.com/———————————————————————————

In this podcast episode, Carmen James Randolph discusses her extensive background in working at a foundation and how she reviewed grant proposals.She goes over why a grant denial isn’t always a ‘no’ and how you can submit the most competitive grant to a foundation.Carmen discusses the importance of developing a relationship with funding sources and how your grants can stand out.Additionally, she discusses the work she is doing as President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of the South.Tune in today to listen to this podcast.About Carmen James RandolphCarmen James Randolph is President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of the South (WFS). Founded by and created for women and girls of color in the South, WFS boldly revolutionizes gender and racial justice in the Southern U.S. and beyond. WFS is dedicated to building the health and well-being, wealth and legacy, and power of womxn of color and girls in the South. So far, WFS has succeeded beautifully: WFS has already raised over $6M and provided $350k in grants to 52 women-of-color-led nonprofits in the South. Carmen is honored and prepared to lead WFS, the only such endowed foundation of its kind; the organization’s sustainability is built into its charter and DNA.She can discuss philanthropy, women in leadership, sustainable nonprofits and strategies to build meaningful partnerships to avoid burnout.Connect with Carmen James RandolphLinkedInLinks Mentioned in the Podcast:Women’s Foundation of the SouthFreelance Grant Writer AcademyOTHER 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 PODCASTFavor, 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 RustickLeading 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.———————————————————————————Your fundraising efforts should be tailored to the different ways Gen Z and Baby Boomer donors engage with nonprofits. Backed by data from over 1,000 donors, the 2024 Generational Giving Report from Bloomerang and Qgiv reveals key differences in how various generations discover, connect with, and support nonprofits. Download your report today.Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps nonprofit across the U.S., like the 500 Festival Foundation, which increased their annual fundraising by an outstanding 50% after adopting Bloomerang If you’re ready to switch to a CRM that does more while you do less, book your demo today and learn how you can raise more with Bloomerang’s fundraising tools.Visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ to learn more. ———————————————————————————

Melaina Chromy goes behind the scenes about generational giving and nonprofits. Learn the difference with how millennials, baby boomers, Gen X, and Gen Z are giving to nonprofits!Also learn the importance of how this can impact grant writers. About Melaina ChromyMelaina is Qgiv by Bloomerang’s PR & Communications Manager. Before coming to Qgiv, she worked as a director of annual giving and used her digital marketing savvy to lead several successful giving days. When she’s not coordinating brand awareness campaigns, she can be found binge-watching Parks and Rec and taking photos of everyone else’s pets.Reach out to Melaina:EmailWebsiteResources Mentioned in this Episode:2024 Generational Giving Report from Bloomerang and QgivThe Freelance Grant Writer AcademyOTHER 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 PODCASTFavor, 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 RustickLeading 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.———————————————————————————Your fundraising efforts should be tailored to the different ways Gen Z and Baby Boomer donors engage with nonprofits. Backed by data from over 1,000 donors, the 2024 Generational Giving Report from Bloomerang and Qgiv reveals key differences in how various generations discover, connect with, and support nonprofits. Download your report today.Bloomerang offers donor management, online fundraising, and volunteer management software that helps nonprofit across the U.S., like the 500 Festival Foundation, which increased their annual fundraising by an outstanding 50% after adopting Bloomerang If you’re ready to switch to a CRM that does more while you do less, book your demo today and learn how you can raise more with Bloomerang’s fundraising tools.Visit bloomerang.com/grantwritingpodcast/ to learn more. ———————————————————————————

Doors are Now Open to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy (for the final time in 2024)! Join by Oct. 27th if you are an aspiring or seasoned grant writer and want to Replace Your Full-Time Income, on Flexible Hours, Writing Grants from Home. >>Join Now: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/ In this podcast episode, Holly shows you 7 easy ways to get your Return on Investment ($2,500 back!) with just ONE sale inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. Listen now and join by Oct. 27th. 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! Thanks for listening! Warmly, Holly Rustick Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home! ------------------------------------------------ Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid” 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/

Doors are Now Open to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy (for the final time in 2024)! Join by Oct. 27th if you are an aspiring or seasoned grant writer and want to Replace Your Full-Time Income, on Flexible Hours, Writing Grants from Home. >>Join Now: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/ In this podcast episode, Holly shows you how to become a PAID federal grant reviewer. Holly's been a federal grant reviewer for more than a decade and have shown countless students how to do this and they LOVE it. Not only do they get paid, their grant writing skills increase exponentially AND they get clients easier than ever because they know how to score grants. And that is a HUGE selling point to nonprofits. You can get paid $1,500 - $2,250 for just ONE grant reviewer gig. Join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy to learn how to become a federal grant reviewer. 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! Thanks for listening! Warmly, Holly Rustick Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home! ------------------------------------------------ Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid” 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/ ———————————————————————————