Grant Writing & Funding

In this solo episode, Holly Rustick highlights the most listened-to episodes of 2022 on the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast and why they resonated so strongly with grant writers and nonprofit leaders. From leveraging YouTube to increase donations and understanding bias in the nonprofit sector, to mastering the ASK formula for fundraising, improving donor retention through technology, and designing grassroots education in conflict zones—this episode recaps key insights and strategies that can help you grow your impact and funding.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, and 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 RUSTICKWebsite: 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/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.

Knowing how to write federal grants is a powerful skill—one that opens the door to significant funding opportunities but also requires a higher level of strategy, time, and precision compared to foundation grants. In this episode, Dr. Cheri Westmoreland, owner of Spirit Excel, joins us to share her decades of experience in federal grant writing and working with nonprofit organizations.We discuss key lessons she’s learned in the field, why having a strong nonprofit strategic plan is essential for long-term fiscal health, and how her experience as a business owner since 2012 has shaped her approach to grant writing. Dr. Cheri also shares how joining the Grant Professional Mentorship in 2022 helped her gain clarity, confidence, and stronger positioning in her business.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Cheri Westmoreland is the owner of Spirit Excel and brings decades of experience in federal grant writing and nonprofit consulting. Since launching her grant writing business in 2012, she has supported numerous organizations in securing funding and strengthening their strategic direction.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.

In this week’s episode, we explore how niching down in grant writing can actually help you grow your business and attract more nonprofit clients. Instead of limiting opportunities, focusing on a specific type of grant, nonprofit, or cause can position you as an expert and make your services more in demand.I’m joined by Elaina Michaels from Refonte Ventures, who shares how she niched into agriculture-based grants by leveraging her passion for the field—and how that decision has helped expand her business. She also talks about her experience in the Grant Professional Mentorship and how it supported her growth and direction in this space.ABOUT OUR GUESTElaina Michaels is a grant professional with Refonte Ventures who specializes in agriculture-focused funding. By aligning her work with her passion, she has successfully built a niche grant writing business and continues to support nonprofits in securing funding within this sector.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.

Saying thank you sometimes feels like a warm, fuzzy thing to do around the holidays. Sometimes those holidays are just the reminders that we need (along with the Netflix Christmas specials) to say the big, "Thank You!"But what if I told you that you could increase your nonprofit organization’s revenue with existing resources just by saying thank you throughout the year?And the best part?You are grateful.You are grateful for your donors.You are grateful for your sponsors.You are  grateful for your partners.You are grateful for your grant funding sources.But the problem is you might not tell them you are grateful.Research shows that showing gratitude to donors, especially on a consistent basis, keeps up the level of the donor’s happiness levels with your nonprofit. It’s also common sense. How do you feel when you are thanked properly and kept up-to-date with information that you are passionate about? Good, right? Like you want to keep staying involved.So let’s look at 20 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Show Gratitude all Year LongEasy & Effective Thank You Tips for DonorsDonor Thank You Tip #1: Automate an Onboarding Thank You Email when Your Nonprofit Gets a New DonorAs soon as your nonprofit organization gets a new donor (whether that is a one-time donor or a recurring donor), send them a Thank You email. You can easily automate this so it’s all set up for you. Donor Thank You Tip #2: Send Your Newsletter to Your Donors Be sure to send out a newsletter to your donors to keep them updated on all the good your nonprofit organization is doing throughout the year. Only asking them to give on Giving Tuesday or once per year doesn’t form the best relationship.But a newsletter is something you can send to all your donors so they are reminded of the work that their donation helps. Extra Hot Tip: Give them an ability to uplevel in the P.S. line to a higher donation amount or to become a recurring donor.Donor Thank You Tip #3: Send a Happy Birthday Card (Virtual or Print) to Your DonorsYou can definitely use software to automate this for you if you have a large number of donors. This is a great way to show your gratitude on one of their happiest days of the year!Easy & Effective Thank You Tips for SponsorsSponsor Thank You Tip #1: Create an Onboarding Thank You Gift Once the Sponsorship Contract is SignedJust like thanking your donors as soon as they give to your nonprofit organization, it is great to say thank you to your new sponsor.A sponsor is normally a company or business that wants to give to your nonprofit for a certain event, campaign, or project. They will become a sponsor by selecting a certain level of giving (think, 5K race or Gala) and then sign a contract. As soon as  your nonprofit gets this sponsorship contract signed, you want to reach out and give them a small gift (or at the very least a handwritten letter).Sponsor Thank You Tip #2: Deliver an Annual Gift (or even Video) to the Sponsors Annual Board MeetingAnother way you can stand out and show your gratitude is to deliver a small gift or video to the sponsor’s annual board meeting or their anniversary. This is a great way to appreciate them on a day that is important to them.Sponsor Thank You Tip #3: Send Your Newsletter to Your SponsorsJust like your donors, your sponsors want to see the good that your nonprofit is doing in the community (and not just when you are asking them for money). They want to be reminded of why they support you and applaud your efforts.Sending a newsletter to sponsors is a great way to showcase your work and to keep you on their radar. Keeping them up-to-date is an act of gratefulness!Sponsor Thank You Tip #4: Use Your Sponsors Logo on Marketing Materials and Website to Show GratitudePutting your sponsor’s logos on all your marketing materials is a great way to show gratitude. You can put it on your Zoom backdrop, on your vehicles, and so many other creative ways.Sponsor Thank You Tip #5: Create Thank You Videos to be used on Social Media and Share Throughout the YearYour nonprofit can share short “Thank You” videos for your sponsors throughout the year and post on social media. Make sure you tag your sponsors.This is a great way to remind them you are thinking about them.Easy & Effective Thank You Tips for PartnersPartner Thank You Tip #1 & #2: Create an Onboarding Thank You Email or Gift When They Become a PartnerPartners can include other stakeholders that may not be a direct financial source. Think of other nonprofits that you ask for letters of support when writing a grant proposal. However, having these sorts of partnerships is vital to your nonprofit’s overall success and can generate revenue by partnering on events, co-writing grants, and so much more.Sometimes the partnerships aren’t created with anything formulized (like a Memorandum of Understanding), but sometimes they are. When they are more organic, and don’t have an official start date, then just remembering to send them a gift at their nonprofit’s anniversary, or an important event, is great!When they are more formal and have a start date, then send them an onboarding email!Partner Thank You Tip #3:  Send Your Partners Annual Holiday Thank You Cards or GiftsJust like your sponsors, it’s great to send a random thank you throughout the year or (also) during the holidays. Remember, this isn’t the only time  you say thank you, though.Partner Thank You Tip #4:  Send a Video Testimony to Your PartnersIt’s wonderful to send your partners a video testimony saying the way that your nonprofit has worked with them. They can then use this on their website or social media.Be sure to ask if they will do one for you, too!Partner Thank You Tip #5:  Share Social Media Posts from Your PartnersA great way to demonstrate your partnerships is also by sharing their fundraising events and other things they do, on your social media platforms. This way their nonprofit is exposed to a new audience. Be sure to tag them, and ask them to reciprocate!Easy & Effective Thank You Tips for Grant Funding SourcesGrant Funding Source Thank You Tip #1:  Thank You Letters or CardsSo this is more for grant funding sources that you have already secured. Why send 'Thank Yous" when you don’t have to compete for the funding? Because this helps develop the relationship and the better your relationship the more likely they are to help you longer and invite you to other open applications.Be sure to say thank...

Even if you’re not a Swiftie, you’ve probably heard about the Ticketmaster chaos surrounding Taylor Swift’s ticket sales. And while it might seem like just another tech meltdown, there’s actually a powerful lesson here for your nonprofit or grant writing business.Because moments like these can do one of two things:They can inspire action—or they can create fear.Too often, we focus on everything that could go wrong. We overthink, overanalyze, and ultimately hold ourselves back from launching, publishing, or moving forward.But here’s the reality:None of the things that could go right will happen if you don’t hit “publish.”In this episode, Holly breaks down how stories like the Taylor Swift + Ticketmaster situation might be subconsciously holding you back from putting your work out into the world—whether that’s a fundraising campaign, a new service, or your business itself.She also shares four of her own real-life tech snafus and how she navigated them, course-corrected, and kept moving forward.Because things will go wrong. That’s part of the process.The key is not perfection—it’s progress.If you’ve been waiting for the “perfect” time or the “perfect” setup, this episode is your reminder:Done is better than perfect.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 RUSTICKWebsite: 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/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.

Giving Tuesday is one of the biggest fundraising opportunities of the year, but only if you’re prepared.In this episode, Holly breaks down six powerful resources you can start using right now to plan, launch, and maximize your Giving Tuesday campaign. Whether you're a nonprofit leader or a freelance grant writer supporting clients, these tools will help you build momentum, increase donor engagement, and drive more impactful results.You’ll learn how to streamline your campaign strategy, leverage donor psychology, and tap into ready-to-use platforms that make execution easier and more effective. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed preparing for Giving Tuesday, this episode gives you a clear, actionable starting point.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 RUSTICKWebsite: 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/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 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. 

If you are looking to increase your clarity in grant writing, then this podcast is for you! You may struggle with writing succinct grant applications because of a myriad of issues: Not knowing if you include ‘enough’ words to convey your messageBeing unclear if you will reach all the grant proposal criteria pointsBeing unsure if you are using the ‘right’ wordsThis week, Erin Lebacqz of High-Value Writing shares some great tips to write more concise grants and emails!What We Discuss:Word Importance for GrantsGrant Applications RubricAmbiguous Words NOT to Use in a GrantDeveloping Relationships via EmailsRespect for ReadersCalendars to Reduce Email ThreadsCold Emails to Get SponsorsEmojis in Your EmailsHigh-Value WritingAbout Erin LebacqzErin Lebacqz has been helping learners reach their own writing goals for over twenty years, in both higher education and in the realms of business, government, and non-profit work. She guides learners as they develop the confidence to share their views through clear, purposeful writing. This is Erin’s way to contribute to the growth of others and of their community. She  teaches live in-person and virtual classes, as well as produces self-paced online learning videos and on-demand classes. Erin also speaks at conferences and learning sessions, and advises organizations on their language use.Her High-Value Writing program supports writing learners by empowering them to write with purpose and intention. It helps newer and more experienced writers see language through a new lens, using words as tools to purposefully convey intentional messages. We look at ways to target and clarify messages concisely, and in a way that works for a particular reader.Reach out to Erin Lebacqz:Channel: High-Value WritingBook: High-Value WritingWebsite: highvaluewriting.comRelated Links:Ep. 231: Common Grant Writing Constraints That Make You Pull Your Hair OutEp. 241: Tricks to Find State Grants & ContractsEp. 228: 46 Grant Writing Tips to Fast-Track Your Grant WritingEp. 230: How Nonprofits can Share Stories of Impact that Honor the Dignity of ClientsOTHER 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, Holly Rustick sits down with Christina to discuss why now is not the time for nonprofits to be shy about asking for donations—especially during critical fundraising seasons. They dive into how to overcome the fear of asking donors for money and introduce key strategies from a nonprofit “makeover” approach to help your organization stand out and stay top of mind. The conversation covers why nonprofits should increase their email outreach during end-of-year campaigns, how many emails you should actually be sending, and why duplicating content isn’t effective—along with smarter ways to repurpose social media into engaging email content. Christina also shares practical tips on re-engaging past donors and building stronger connections, giving nonprofits actionable ways to boost visibility, confidence, and fundraising results.ABOUT OUR GUESTChristina is a nonprofit fundraising expert and strategist who helps organizations increase donor engagement and revenue through effective communication and campaign strategies. She specializes in guiding nonprofits to confidently ask for support, optimize their messaging, and create impactful fundraising campaigns that drive results.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/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.

In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Sean Kosofsky to share timely strategies for navigating inflation during your nonprofit’s end-of-year giving campaign while maximizing fundraising results. They cover essential foundations of end-of-year fundraising, including how to anchor your revenue goals, which funding streams to prioritize, and why it’s critical to go deeper into proven strategies during this high-impact season. Sean shares insights on how inflation may impact smaller individual donors and why now is the time to confidently ask major donors for increased support. The conversation also explores creative engagement tactics like personalized video thank-yous, optimizing your nonprofit’s technology, and repurposing strategies to stay top of mind. Looking ahead, they discuss when to begin planning for the new year and key fundraising trends to watch, giving nonprofits a clear roadmap to strengthen both current and future campaigns.ABOUT OUR GUESTSean Kosofsky is a nonprofit expert, fundraising strategist, and consultant who helps organizations increase revenue, strengthen campaigns, and build sustainable funding models. With extensive experience in advocacy, communications, and nonprofit leadership, Sean specializes in guiding organizations through effective fundraising strategies, especially during critical giving seasons.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing.https://grantwritingandfunding.com/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.

Did you know that you can tap into your state and city government agencies for grants or contracts for your nonprofit organization?Yep, you can.First you might be interested in where your state or territory comes up with grant funding (side note: this is geared toward U.S. state and territory grants). Where do State Grant & Contract Money Come From?Federal Pass-Through MoneyA lot of state and territory grant and contract money is derived from federal monies. This is called federal pass-through funding as it is money from the federal government awarded, “and the state governments then make subawards to other organizations to carry out the public purpose of the grant program within their state’s jurisdiction. This gives the state governments more flexibility and autonomy over the use of the federal grant funds.”Basically this means…The federal government will award states different types of money,, and then the state is able to then fund nonprofits or other agencies grants from that money.Taxes and AllocationsAnd then of course there are taxes in your state, and money that’s generated in your state. Through these allocated funds (for specific purposes) your state then awards certain monies for nonprofits,  organizations, businesses, individuals, and so forth.Grant or Contract?Grant fundingGrant funding is given out (usually via grant competition) and then the state will create an agreement on awarding the funds to you if you spend them how you outlined in your grant budget. They will also most likely demand a whole bunch of receipts and reports to ensure you are spending the money the way you said you would spend the money.Contract fundingNow a contract on the other side is actually legally binding. They can take you to court if you don’t spend the money the way you said you were gonna spend the money. But at the same time, there’s a little bit more flexibility in the funding.For reports to draw down contract money, you may just need to show the monthly or quarterly deliverables in the scope of work (not all the receipts for every penny). If you met under budget and you still met all of your goals, you will still be awarded the money under the contract, whereas with a grant you might only be reimbursed for what you actually spent. So there could be a little bit more flexibility and less reporting with contracts. However, you will have a legally binding contract for due diligence.If you can get a contract, go after the contract. If you can get a grant, go after the grant. If you can go after both. Go after both. Where to Find State Grants & ContractsNow, where do you find this state money? State and City Agency WebsitesYou can definitely find it by looking at your state agency and city agency websites. The issue with websites is that each state and city government agency may not use the same language on their website to announce their grant and contract opportunities.Some key words to look for include: “RFP,” “Announcement,” “News,” “Grants,” and so forth.NewspapersAnother place you can find out about state and city agency grants and contracts is in the newspaper.I know we haven’t heard about the newspaper in a long time, but believe you me, a lot of these agencies must publish their announcements and they still use the newspapers. Social MediaFollow the state and city agencies that might have grant or contract opportunities for your nonprofit! Some of these different agencies are now active on social media and will also publish their announcements there.You can also see what else is going on at these agencies and find some great statistics or reports that might resonate with your nonprofit. Reach out to a Point of Contact at State or City AgencyYou can even call a state or city agency program officer and ask if they can add you to their email list (if they have one), so you can stay up-to-date with announcements.Importance of State Grants & ContractsAnd why are these types of funding important? Well, because if your nonprofit is serving in your certain geographic area of that city agency or that state government agency, then that is a win. State and city governments primarily give out funding in their geographic area to move forward their priorities!So don’t fall into the trap of only looking for federal or foundation grants! There is a huge money pot available for you in your city and state. Try the above ways to tap into it and let me know what you find! Links:For more on how to write and find federal grants, sign up for our On-Demand Grant Writing Master CourseTo learn How to Become a Federal Grant Reviewer, click here.Find out more about where to find Federal Grants, click hereABOUT 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 ever...