Grant Writing & Funding

Nonprofits will happily hire you for your grant writing services.Says hundreds of freelance grant writers and nonprofits that I, and Academy students, have worked with.A nonprofit is a business. It is just a not-for-profit business, meaning all profit goes back into the business.They still need to pay for some (or all) of the following:Rent or lease a spaceProcure materials (paper, printers, etc.)Hire staff AND CONSULTANTSBuy computersPay for water and power and maintenancePurchase vehicles…and SO much more.They still contract out workers.This is HUGE!So if this is the case, why do so many of you think that nonprofits don’t have money to hire you?It’s because of some questions that nonprofits have:Can you work pro bono?Do you offer discounts?Can you get paid on commission?How many grants have you won?Nonprofits will ask you these questions. It doesn’t mean by saying “no” to any of these means they won’t become clients.These are just questions they feel they need to ask. Oftentimes, their board of directors will tell them to ask this question during any interview.It doesn’t mean that you need to say yes.It’s just a question that needs to be answered.Just think of this. If a nonprofit books a Discovery Sales Call with you – and you follow our recommendation to ask vetted questions with one main one being “Do you have a budget range to hire a grant writer and work with us?” Then they know you aren’t doing pro bono work.Even if they haven’t figured out how to get money yet to hire you, they booked a call with you with that thought in the back of their mind, “How can I find money for this?”Just like you aren’t going to book a sales call with a social media marketing company or even a doctor without knowing you are going to have to pay for the services rendered.How you respond to those questions is the Make or Break of Getting them as a Happily Paying Client. Inside the ETHICAL NONPROFIT SALES SYSTEM we teach you how to respond to these questions in an ethical way AND how to happily convert them to a paying client!In 15 months, our Academy students have collectively made $2.2 million in their freelance grant writing businesses. So obviously nonprofits have money – literally millions, to pay for your grant writing services.But you need the language on how to respond to these questions. Here are some tips for you:Don’t be offended when they ask if you can work for free. Tell them no and why.List pre-questions on your Discovery Sales Call page, including: “Do you have a budget range to hire a grant writer?”Also add a disclaimer on the Sales Call page “We do not offer free services.”Be curious instead of offended when they continue to say they have no money to hire you. Ask questions like: “How would getting grants solve problems at your nonprofit? Do you have time to learn how to write grants and keep up with a grants calendar? How would hiring us alleviate your stress of knowing that grant writing is a priority but also knowing you don’t have time to do it? Have you hired a grant writer before? If so, what did you like / not like about it?”Ask them leading questions on how they could get funding, “Can your board come up with funding for this if it’s important and a priority for your nonprofit?”“Do you have any unrestricted funds?” “How would it feel to hold a fundraiser to hire us so we can build out a strategy for you?”“Could you reach out to a corporation and ask them to be a sponsor to hire a grant writer so you can build capacity?”Most nonprofits do have revenue to hire you. Learn our Nonprofit Ethical Sales Systems on how to ethically respond to these questions so you show up to calls NOT feeling sleazy, but feeling helpful.ABOUT 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. W...

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is the #1 Grant Writing and Nonprofit Business Acumen Program in the Industry. Each part of the Academy is a simple process, even if you work a full-time job.You get 12 months to do the curriculum, community, and coaching:Learn the Legacy Skills of Grant Writing & Business AcumenIn the first 30 days, whether you are new to grant writing or experienced, you will increase your grant writing skills and understand how to strategize as a grant writer. In less than 15 months, Academy students have secured $88 Million+ in grant funding. Our grant skill training is the best in the industry.SKILL #1 – GRANT WRITING30-DAY MASTER GRANT TEMPLATE CHALLENGE: Within 30 days,  you will learn our system of writing a grant. This is for new AND seasoned grant writers. You will understand how to write a FULL grant template. You will understand the full process of writing a grant AND the system of creating this template as a deliverable for your clients. GRANT TEMPLATES: We have 70+ short videos, templates, and more so you know 1) How to Find Grants, 2) How to Submit Grants, and 3) How to Write Grants. Even if you are a seasoned grant writer, you will benefit from our HUGE resource library of templates and samples of LOIs, MOUs, Logic Models, and more. UNLIMITED GRANT REVIEWS: We are the only program in the industry that offers UNLIMITED grant reviews and feedback on your grants. Having grant experts even review ONE grant is easily worth the entire price of the program. (We charge $2,500 for reviewing grants to the public. You get as many grants reviewed as you want throughout the entire program! This is a no-brainer).SKILL #2 – BUSINESS ACUMENIn the first 90 Days, you will get everything off the ground to start your freelance grant writing business- whether that is part or full-time. Within 15  months, Students inside the Academy have secured more than $2.2 Million+ in Revenue in their grant writing businesses. The Academy Business Acumen Skills Work..GRANT WRITING SERVICE OFFERS (CHANGE STATEMENT): You will identify WHO you want to serve and create packages that are ethical for your clients.VALUE-BASED PRICING METHOD: You will identify fair prices that give you profit and are fair for organizations that work with you. No more giving discounts or feeling like you aren’t valued.ETHICAL NONPROFIT SALES SYSTEM: No more feeling ‘sleazy’ with sales calls or people ghosting you. You will have a system to have the highest converting sales calls IN the industry.UNLIMITED BUSINESS REVIEWS: Want us to give you feedback on your website? How about giving you feedback on your pricing? Need input on how to structure your services? Want us to look over a retainer before sending it to a client? Anything to do with your business, we look over and give you personalized feedback. This alone is HUGE as it’s the little decisions in business that cause paralysis. When you have a coach – who has literally made a successful six-figure business as a freelance grant writer and worked with 100+ successful freelance grant writers  – give you feedback, this will help you drive your business forward peacefully and quickly.COACHING & COMMUNITYThis isn’t a ‘Do-it-by-yourself’ type of program. It’s a coaching program. We are successful freelance grant writers and teach you how to be, too. Plus, you get to interact with more than 100 other freelance grant writers. WEEKLY LIVE COACHING CALLS: Ask anything in our coaching calls from sales questions, dealing with troublesome clients, how to run a grant workshop, and more. We have space for you to bring any question related to your skills and business to these very powerful calls! PRIVATE PODCAST: Miss a Coaching Call? Log into your portal to watch the replay OR catch it on your podcast player, under a private podcast. DAILY SLACK CHANNEL: Did you win a grant? Or maybe you are wanting to know where to grab a logic model, feedback on a contract, or having imposter syndrome with posting your new company on LinkedIn. We got you. Our expert coaches will respond to any question, and it’s a great place to interact with your community.BE LISTED ON GW&F DIRECTORY: You can be listed on our Grant Writer for Hire Directory. Academy students have gotten clients just being listed on our website – even if they don’t have one!BONUS SKILL CURRICULUM: We also teach you how to get paid and facilitate Nonprofit Strategic Planning, a Nonprofit Wellness Audit, and a Grant Feasibility Study.When you join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, you get everything you need to replace your full-time job by working flexible hours while writing high-quality grants quickly.Join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy today!ABOUT 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 revi...

This episode is truly special as we delve into the incredible journey of Alex Schubert, a passionate grant writer and consultant who managed to 10X her investment in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy within just seven months. Alex joins us to discuss the transformative power of a supportive community, the importance of clear service offerings, and the mindset strategies that drove her business growth. Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or just starting out, this episode offers practical advice, inspirational stories, and actionable tips to help you maximize your potential and achieve sustainable success. Stay tuned as we uncover how Alex leveraged the Academy’s resources to build a thriving consultancy that not only meets but exceeds her financial and professional goals.About Alex SchuppertAlexandra founded Lighthouse Nonprofit Consulting in 2022 to leverage her 25+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector to assist nonprofit organizations in advancing their missions. Before launching Lighthouse, Alex spent five years in a dual role as a grant writing consultant and Vice President of Organizational Practices with a Colorado-based nonprofit consulting firm. There, she provided grant writing services, grant strategy and funder cultivation consult, and grants management to clients with various mission types, including workforce development, disabilities, older adults, healthcare, youth development, education, community development, mental health, substance abuse and recovery, the environment, LGBTQ+, and more. During this time, Alex successfully wrote grants that collectively raised more than $7.5 million of funding from private foundations and government entities for her clients.Prior to becoming a consultant, Alex spent more than 20 years at nonprofit organizations that provided direct services within the areas of early education, out-of-school time, child welfare, and mental health. As the Director of Programming and Evaluation at a settlement house in Somerville, Massachusetts that delivers early education and out-of-school time programs, she provided oversight for all the programs, developed new programming initiatives, designed and implemented program evaluation systems, wrote grants, and built partnerships with other local nonprofits and schools. Before that, she was the Director of Programs and Operations at a youth services organization in New York City where she oversaw all programs and operations including human resources, finance, policy and regulations, fundraising, and the organization’s contracts with the City of New York. During her time there, she developed a new policy manual, shored up finances by vetting and hiring a new accounting firm, and greatly improved compliance and billing of its city contracts. Her first management-level position was overseeing the program evaluation and outcomes measurement team for a large child welfare agency in Boston, Massachusetts.Alex received her MBA in Nonprofit Management from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University. She also has a Master’s in Psychology from Boston University and graduated magna cum laude with a BA in Psychology from Hamilton College.In her spare time, Alex enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, skiing, and on romps with her rescue pup, a lovable senior pit-mix.Connect with Alexandra:EmailLinkedInWebsiteResources Mentioned in this Episode:The Freelance Grant Writer Academy. 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 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.

Staci Nelson joined the Academy to streamline her business and within 7 months was able to make $49,000 in her freelance grant writing business!She has leaned into utilizing the Academy unlimited grant reviews to grow her grant writing confidence and grant writing structure in her business. This has helped her deliver the highest quality resources for her clients.Staci also had mindset coaching in the Academy on how to be confident in her pricing even when grants don’t get awarded.Tune into her story.About Staci NelsonStaci Nelson is a founding principal at Nelson Stevenson Consulting. She has more than 25 years of experience as a nonprofit leader, communications professional and fundraiser. Nelson Stevenson Consulting is a Spokane, Washington based firm that has been supporting nonprofits throughout the Intermountain Northwest since 2010. Clients include small grassroots organizations, well-established community action agencies, industry trade associations and public entities. Nelson Stevenson Consulting provides grant strategy, writing and management services that enable clients to better fulfill their missions and improve the quality of life for those they serve.Connect with Staci:EmailLinkedInResources Mentioned in this Episode:The 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.

Antoinette Ethridge shares her inspiring journey of building a successful freelance grant writing business after joining the Academy, generating $42,750 in revenue and securing $25,000 in grant funding for her clients. She walks us through how she quickly gained momentum, landed her third client, and confidently left her 9–5 job within just a few months. We also dive into how she was able to double her revenue in a single month, the strategies that helped her grow fast, and what made the biggest difference in her transition to full-time freelance grant writing.ABOUT OUR GUESTAntoinette Ethridge, founder of Antoinette Writes, LLC, is an experienced grant writer with four years in the field after transitioning from a decade-long career as an elementary educator. She began her freelance grant writing journey during the peak of the pandemic, leveraging her background in education and leadership to support mission-driven organizations focused on human services, education, community development, and youth initiatives.Antoinette holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and has helped secure over $3.5 million in funding for nonprofit organizations. Her expertise extends beyond grant writing to include strategic nonprofit planning and project management. A dedicated community advocate originally from Hampton, Virginia, she now resides in North Carolina with her husband, three children, and their spirited yorkie-poo, where she continues to make an impact through both her work and family life.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTEmailWebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramOTHER 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.

🎉Doors to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST. The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours. 👉 Join the Academy https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy This is a bonus episode of the entire REPLAY of the Webinar that was held on Tuesday, Oct. 15th "Create a Profitable Grant Writing Business with Little to No Experience." To watch the entire replay visit: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/replay ——————————————————————————— Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and subscribe 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 Coach & CEO for Aspiring and Seasoned Grant Writers to Replace Income, on Flexible Hours, Writing Grants from Home ✨💌 Get FREE Grant Writing Resources when You Join the Newsletter “Write Grants. Get Paid”: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/write-grants-get-paid-newsletter 🖥️🔥 👉 Freelance Grant Writer Academy: 12 Month Group Coaching Program for Aspiring & Seasoned Grant Writers to Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/ ———————————————————————————

Getting grant writing clients without winning any grants can feel akin to being a college graduate.You may have some skills, but don’t have any real-world experience.Let’s talk about how you can easily bridge the gap with some real-world examples of folks from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, who were exactly where you are.Within four months, Jen, who left her corporate job at HBO and lives in Florida, secured more than $260,000 in grant funding (writing her first grants) and booked out with nonprofit clients and got a subcontracting position. She made $73,000 in her grant writing business in four months.She had NO grant writing experience before joining the Academy.Tiffany didn’t have much grant writing experience, but added it to her content writing, and quit her job early. Jeremey lives in California and works a 9-5 in a nonprofit. Inside the Academy, he started to view his 9-5 as an anchor client while he got his business going. Within a month, he secured his first retainer client while retaining his full-time job (i.e., anchor client)We have many folks that come in with no grant writing experience and 1) get confident in writing grants, and 2) secure clients within the year!That is one of the reasons that we have the grant writing master course and offer grant reviews :)#1 – Get some Grant Writing Skills to Boost Confidence in Making SalesThe Grant Writing Master Course alone has helped over a thousand people learn our simple grant formula and win grants. We have had senators take it, teachers, volunteers, lawyers, nonprofit staff, content writers, retired folks, and so many more who have literally never written a grant – learn how to write grants and secure literally millions of dollars in grant funds!Our Unlimited Grant Reviews are the amazing kicker, because you can have us review any grant application draft or grant template draft and we give you feedback on areas to improve.We have our 30-Day Master Grant Template Framework, too. Even if you use a fictional client, you will develop a mock Master Grant Template in the first 30 days of joining the Academy! And then you will get a personalized review and feedback on your work. We have folks who have gotten their first nonprofit clients by offering the Master Grant Template (and getting paid to do it for their first time!).So you can see how you can get the grant writing skills. But how do you go from skills to your first paying client?#2 – Even if you Still Haven’t Won a Grant, You Can Get a Paying Client EthicallyWhy people will still hire you, even if you have never won a grant before, is because you will develop grant writing skills and you have TIME. Plus, in the Ethical Nonprofit Sales we will show you how to create a Change Statement so you have a process to write grants and you can actually substantiate your price. Think about this for a minute…A nonprofit will hire a staff grant writer with no grant writing experience and tell them they will train them.Oftentimes they never train that person BUT they still expect them to win grants.This ends in disappointment for both the executive director at the nonprofit and the grant writer! So in a Discovery Sales Call, we teach you how to communicate why it’s ethical and makes sense to hire you – even if you have no grant writing experience.You don’t have to worry if you are new to grant writing. We teach you the skill of grant writing AND the skill of pricing and selling to nonprofit clients.Some folks feel more comfortable first volunteering (to get real-world experience) before pitching their grant writing services. This is NOT a requirement, but this might be where you feel ethical about it. We have an entire part of our curriculum inside the Academy on how you go from “Free to your first Paying Client”. So if you do want to volunteer for 3 months at a nonprofit to write grants, we show you how you will transition that into a paying job. We also have our “Identify 50 Nonprofit Leads in an Hour” curriculum, so even if you are new, we help you create a list of folks that you know and can reach out to.No website required or Social Media required.We got you.ABOUT 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 writ...

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the importance of knowing your worth and setting professional boundaries in your grant writing business. We have the pleasure of speaking with Nija Rivera from Gritty Grants Consulting, who shares her inspiring journey of transforming her grant writing practice by adhering to essential business policies.Nija discusses a pivotal moment where she realized the detrimental impact of offering discounts for her services. This important lesson in valuing her work led her to make significant changes, resulting in an impressive earning of $55,000 in just nine months. Nija's experience underlines the critical balance between business sustainability and community contribution, a topic that resonates deeply within fields like social work and public health.Throughout this episode, Holly and Nija explore practical strategies for maintaining professional detachment, setting appropriate service prices, and the indispensable role of coaching in running a successful grant writing business. Whether you are new to the field or an experienced professional, today’s discussion promises actionable insights that can elevate your practice and help you achieve financial stability.So, get ready to be inspired and informed as we uncover the strategies that transformed Nija Rivera’s business and how you can apply these lessons to your own grant writing journey. Tune in, and let’s get started!About Nija RiveraBorn and bred in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, PA, Nija is a seasoned public health professional with over 10 years of expertise in nonprofit program management, grants management, and proposal development. She is the lead consultant at Gritty Grants. Nija earned her undergraduate degree in biobehavioral Health from Penn State University, laying the foundation for her multidisciplinary approach. She furthered her education by obtaining a master’s in public health from Temple University.Nija’s passion lies in creating impactful grants proposals that address the well being of under resourced communities. Her wealth of experience encompasses the entire lifecycle of grant projects, from conception through successful implementation.Beyond her professional endeavors, Nija is an avid traveler who delights in exploring different corners of the world. Her love for adventure extends to trying diverse cuisines from around the globe.Connect with Nija:Email: nija@grittygrants.com LinkedInWebsiteOTHER 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.

If you are wondering if you need a grant writing certification to pursue grant writing and get clients, you don’t need one.But some people are still interested in getting a grant writing certification due to external or internal reasons.Let’s examine these:External Considerations for a Grant Writing CertificationA nonprofit might ask you if you have a certification during a Discovery Call.When a nonprofit prospect asks you this question, really they are asking how experienced you are.So if you do have a grant writing certification or certification, then say, “YES!”However, if you don’t have one, then instead let them know that there is not an industry requirement for grant writers to have a certification. Because, well, there’s not.Instead let them know that you have written X # of grants, secured $X of funding, or any of your experience in grant writing. Let’s face it. Even if you did have the Grant Writing & Funding certification (yes, that’s a thing inside the Academy! wink-wink) or your Grant Professional Certification (the Academy also offers 31 education credits towards it) a nonprofit lead isn’t going to know how many hours of grant writing you have done, how long it took you to go through a course, etc.They don’t know what the difference is between the Academy certification or the GPC. So even if you do not have a grant writing certification, then mention all the other cool things related to grants you have done.If you are new to grant writing, this might be a reason you want some sort of certification, as you can eliminate a lot of OTHER questions that might come up if you say ‘no’ to this.Externally, what having a grant writing certification will get you is a nod of approval, a signature of experience (literally, put the logo in your email signature), and credibility. You can put the name of your certification on your resume, website, LinkedIn profile, or / and business card!This lends to the external affirmation of your skills.But once again – this is NOT required.Internal Considerations for a Grant Writing CertificationThe process of getting a grant writing certification can help improve your skills, knowledge, and confidence in writing grants.If you are looking to improve any of the above, then you may consider going through a course, workshop, or program (like the Freelance Grant Writer Academy) to get a grant writing certification. This is the heart of it.Disclaimer.Grant Certification or not, it doesn’t really showcase your grant writing abilities. To have long-standing credibility and a reputation and to implement your learned skills, you need to practice writing grants.Even if you aren’t working inside a nonprofit or have a current nonprofit client.We show you how to get a ‘fictional’ client and write up a mock grant template. This can even serve as a writing sample for future clients.So, yes, a grant writing certification can increase your resume and improve your skills, but actually going through the process of writing an entire grant template and getting feedback will make this skill real.We’ve even had students come into the Academy where their nonprofit that they work at pays for the Academy because we are training their employee to write a grant. Amazing!So do you really need a grant writing certification?No. However, a grant writing certification can be helpful in increasing credibility, knowledge, skills, and confidence. But you still will need to actually start writing grants.ABOUT 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.

In this episode, our guest, Sarah Rowe, is not just a successful freelance grant writer but also a devoted mother. Within an astonishingly short period of four months, Sarah was able to replace her full-time job’s income, thanks to her newfound skills in grant writing. What makes her story even more compelling is how she achieved this remarkable success while being able to stay home with her 4-year-old daughter.Sarah’s journey is a testament to the empowering possibilities that come with mastering grant writing. From securing over $40,500 in grants for her clients to earning $45,400 through her own business this year, she’s living proof that you can have both a fulfilling career and quality time with your loved ones.So, sit back, relax, and prepare to be inspired by Sarah’s incredible journey. Whether you’re juggling a demanding job, parenting responsibilities, or both, this episode is for you. Stay tuned to learn how you, too, can turn your passion for helping others into a profitable and flexible career.What you’ll learn in this episode:Swift Transition to Freelancing: Within just four months, Sarah Rowe transitioned from a traditional full-time job to a freelance grant writer, effectively replacing her full-time income.Financial and Personal Fulfillment: Sarah has successfully earned $45,400 through her grant-writing business and was able to secure $40,500 in grants for her clients, providing both financial stability and personal fulfillment.Flexibility for Family: The Freelance Grant Writer Academy allowed Sarah to change her lifestyle, working around her daughter’s schedule—including tasks like dropping her off at preschool while still being productive.Enhanced Work-Life Balance: Sarah’s freelance work structure enabled her to reduce her work hours compared to her previous nonprofit job, leading to more family time and less burnout.Motivation Driven by Parenthood: Sarah’s desire to spend more time with her daughter, especially after fertility challenges, motivated her to take the risk of starting her own business, providing greater control over her work-life balance.About Sarah RoweWith over 14 years of comprehensive experience in the grant industry, Sarah Rowe is a distinguished grant strategist and consultant who has excelled on all sides of the funding process. From securing millions in grant funding to managing complex, multi-state projects, Sarah’s expertise is unparalleled.Sarah’s journey in the grant world began with a strong educational foundation, holding a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Metropolitan State College of Denver. Her academic background is complemented by a Certified Associate of Project Management (CAPM) credential from the Project Management Institute.Throughout her career, Sarah has demonstrated exceptional skill in grant writing, administration, and strategy. She has successfully overseen the distribution and request of funds, provided timely grant and impact reports, managed all aspects of post-award success, and grown grant portfolios across multiple continents. Her strategic oversight has expanded grant portfolios across Africa, Australia, Cambodia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Sarah’s expertise extends to her role as a collegiate professor, where she teaches “Intro to Grant Writing.” Her ability to convey complex grant writing concepts in an engaging and accessible manner has made her a sought-after educator, inspiring the next generation of grant professionals.Recently, Sarah has transitioned from working as a full-time internal grant expert to serving a variety of missions through contract, project-based, or retainer opportunities. This shift allows her the variety and flexibility to hyper-focus on her expertise in the grant industry and build meaningful relationships with nonprofits and small businesses. By working with diverse organizations, Sarah can tailor her strategies to meet specific needs, ensuring optimal outcomes for each project.Her volunteer work as a Federal Grant Reviewer is extensive, having served on numerous grant review panels for various federal agencies. Sarah has reviewed grants for initiatives such as the Healthy Families Community Based Perinatal Health Initiative, Teen Pregnancy Prevention programs, Youth Engagement in Sports, and many others. This experience has given her a deep understanding of the criteria and standards required for successful grant applications.Sarah Rowe is not just a grant expert; she is a visionary leader who brings a wealth of knowledge, strategic insight, and a proven track record of success. Whether you are looking to secure funding, manage grant projects, or develop a robust grant strategy, Sarah is the expert you need to achieve your goals.Connect with Sarah:Email: sarahvorowe@gmail.comSarah Rowe | LinkedInQuotables: “A lot of the questions I have or the pain points I run into, someone else is already talking about it or I’ve heard someone talking about it before it becomes an issue for me.” – Sarah Rowe“I think with not being an internal employee, it kind of empowers you to say things you might not have felt comfortable saying as an internal employee because your livelihood does not depend on your opinion about how they should move things forward.” – Sarah Rowe“So it’s just having all those resources in your back pocket. And then when things come up that you don’t expect or, you know, that you start to question yourself, like, there’s this whole community behind you to jump in Slack at any time of day.” – Sarah Rowe “I want as much time with this little girl as I possibly can because there was a while I didn’t know if I would have her. So it’s like, this is what works for us because I now have the ability to, you know, show up for her as a mom first and still use all the skills and things that I have built. And I don’t have to pick being a mom or a grant writer.” – Sarah Rowe“To have, you know, a little girl watch you do all this from scratch is really powerful and shows her that same mindset of you can do anything if you put your mind to it and if you surround yourself with the right people.” – Sarah RoweResources Mentioned in this Episode:The 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, w...