Grant Writing & Funding

Once someone either thinks about starting a freelance grant writing business or has already taken the leap, a huge question (rightfully so) comes up: How do I get nonprofit clients for my grant writing business? Well, yeah, you need to get nonprofit clients (or even for-profit clients in some cases) for it to be an actual income-generating business. But just creating a website or a business card alone will not get you there. Now in this article, I’m going to teach you how to get and keep nonprofit clients.  And more importantly, this will help you increase revenue for your grant writing business. So, if you’re a newbie grant writer, but you aren’t sure how you can get and keep nonprofit clients, or you’re already an accomplished grant writer looking to get your ducks in a row, you’ll discover how Freelance Grant Writers like you and me can get and keep nonprofit clients - and why it’s critical you focus on this right now. In last week’s article and podcast, we talked about the First Step to Becoming a Freelance Grant Writer (also be sure to download your follow along guide for episode 189 and 190).  I shared how this is going to immediately help you get off the floundering fence.  So, if you haven’t read that article or listened to the podcast, go back and watch it now - and then come back to this one. In this article, I’m going to build on what we discussed by sharing the #1 thing you must master if you want to get and keep nonprofit clients.  Think of this as your “first step” towards making this happen.  This is an entirely new way of thinking about freelance grant writing, so you’ll want to pay close attention.  I’m also going to share how to identify your nonprofit client.  When you know how to do this, you’ll know exactly what to aim for and how to market.  The goal is to break you free of wasting time and money on the wrong types of ads or continually getting 'no’s'.  This way, you’ll never have to worry about how to get and keep nonprofit clients which means you’ll increase revenue for your biz. 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.

The First Step to Become a Freelance Grant WriterWhy are some freelance grant writers able to create a thriving business while others are just dreaming about being a professional grant writer?Why do some grant writers grow their practice and seem to get all the clients while others just dream about it and get stuck in their J-O-B?And why are some people clear about how to start and grow their grant writing business while others are floundering?Can I be a Grant Writer even with No Experience?This article is going to immediately help you get off the floundering fence when thinking about becoming a freelance grant writer and not knowing which step to take. Once you get this down, you’ll start experiencing more clarity, more confidence and more grant writing jobs.If you’re a newbie grant writer who needs more grant writing experience, or you’re already an accomplished grant writer that isn’t leveraging your skills by getting and growing your nonprofit client base, stay with me because you’re going to discover why grant writers like you and me can grow a freelance grant writing business and why it’s critical you get your system handled right now.Are you Ready to Become a Successful Grant Writer?WARNING!Before we dig in, I’ve got to warn you about something critically important. And not paying attention to this virtually guarantees your dream to become a professional grant writing will only be a dream… or take 3Xs longer to develop and feel like a burden.Right now, you might think you need tons of clients to make any money and you might have imposter syndrome.But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if instead you had system where you had the perfect clients and were confident in your grant writing skills?I get this may be different from what you’ve heard before about freelance grant writing. But this fundamental shift is one reason why this blueprint works so well.In fact, you might’ve already tried to get off the floundering fence – and it didn’t work out the way you’d hoped.I’m sure you’ll agree, trying to start a real business and get nonprofit clients isn’t always as simple as some people make it seem. It comes with its challenges.Maybe you have written proposals, secured clients, or even won grants, but you still wonder, “Can I really start a real business and get nonprofit clients?”If this sounds familiar, I get it.So many of us grant writers have tried the exact same things. We’ve heard that little voice of doubt in our head, wondering if it’s possible. And I’m here to show you it IS.Let’s demystify the process of get off the floundering fence which will save you a lot of time, money, and frustration. In this first article in the foundations of freelance grant writing series, I’m going to share a blueprint that I’ve developed after years of trial and error.It’s called…Foundations of a Freelance Grant Writing BusinessIf your dream to become a grant writing is still only a dream… then this will serve as a tremendous resource to eliminate that frustration and help you get off the floundering fence.Maybe you’re a newbie grant writer, or maybe you’re already an accomplished grant writer.Either way, you’re in the right place because after this article you’ll know how to find grant writing jobs and write better grants.I developed this framework for you because I saw so many Aspiring Grant Writers become completely sidetracked while trying to get the grant writing experience you need.For example, I saw Aspiring Grant Writers who were newbie grant writers trying to get the grant writing experience they needed before they knew how to write grants or had found out what types of services they love to do.I’ve also seen accomplished grant writers not leveraging their skills by getting and growing their nonprofit client base because they don’t have the right freelance grant writing system in place.I could go on, but I know us Aspiring Grant Writers need clarity – because in full transparency, that was my story too.Before I outline Foundations of Freelance Grant Writing and the specifics for each step, you might be wondering how I got into all of this and figured it out. Let me tell you so you can understand where it’s coming from.It started when I knew I had to create my grant writing business with nonprofit clients in order to get off the floundering fence.But I wasn’t sure I could because I don’t know how to get nonprofit clients.And to be honest, I doubted I could do it because I wasn’t even sure what to charge for grant writing.And on top of that, I figured nonprofits didn’t even have a budget to hire a grant writer.If any of this sounds familiar, let me tell you – I know exactly what it’s like!I felt frustrated and overwhelmed, and even questioned myself whether I COULD do it. But I was tired of spinning my wheels and knew that getting off the floundering fence was key to getting what I was after.So, I set out to find a way to make it happen.Once I got past my objections and began investing in myself, I started seeing my freelance consulting starting to grow. I did what I set out to do – now I know exactly how to create a thriving business with nonprofit clients.This got me get off the floundering fence, which is exactly what I was going for. And if you’re ready for less stress while developing or growing your business, too you’re going to love what’s coming up.Because this story doesn’t stop with me.Everything I’m about to share with you is the exact plan I followed to create a thriving business with nonprofit clients. And it’s led me to have a much higher income and able to help hundreds of nonprofits.More importantly, this means you’ll experience less stress while developing or growing your business. And that’s what I want for you. All Aspiring Grant Writers could use that, which is why I want to make this easy for you!The purpose of Foundations of Freelance Grant Writing is to help you quickly to help you quickly identify a key pathway so that you can gain clarity and select your nonprofit niche so that you can get off the floundering fence.Are you ready to start writing grants?How to Get Started as a Grant WriterThe first step to becoming a grant writer is to answer the question, “What doe...

Oh yes, I just typed the F-word. Yep, the one that makes most grant writers shiver in their sleep.No, I am not cussing. But maybe this word should be a bona fide swear word.Free.I know it haunts you.It’s interesting that as a grant writer your skills can have one of the biggest impacts on increasing funding for nonprofit organizations, however you will still be serenaded by nearly every nonprofit (not to mention individuals looking for that magic grant to fund a college degree) to write grants for free.This has always puzzled me. Grant writers have technical writing skills to find and secure funding and in many cases millions of dollars for nonprofits.However, many organizations seek out grant writers and some guilt them into writing for free or giving away all their knowledge at no cost. Or that nonprofit is caught up with poverty mindset that asking for free is their go-to comfort zone place (that’s an entire article in itself!).Here’s the thing. There is a time and place for the F-word. Yep.Free can be a pathway at times, but not all.So, if you are:haunted by giving away your grant writing services for free,not sure when to start charging prices for your grant writing services, orconstantly get people asking you out on a coffee or zoom date to just real quick go over some grant-related questions, then keep on reading.Chances are, if you are in any of the categories above, you are feeling undervalued.You might be wondering why you don’t get paid well when you see those hundreds, or millions of dollars in grants come in the nonprofit door.Or you might be wondering how in the world you can make it as a grant writing consultant when you feel like no nonprofit can pay you for your services.Side note: Nonprofits can, do, and should figure out ways to get money and pay for your grant writing services.If you are in a position where you get an amazing wage or charge well, then kudos for you!But I wanted to address this issue as I have seen way too many grant writing consultants play jump rope over the ever-changing line of boundaries, not sure where to land or how to stop jumping.I was once there. (Check out my story on how I transitioned into freelance grant writing).When to Write Grants for FreeOkay, okay. I hear you yelling the B-word… Not that B-word. Geesh! The ‘But’ word…“But Holly, what about…”There is a time and place when a grant writer can do free. But these are few and limited.When you are building grant writing skillsWhen you designate one or two grant writing gigs at your own discretionSo, let’s break these down a little bit more.You May Volunteer When You are Building Grant Writing SkillsIf you have no experience, then writing grants is one of the best things you can do to build your grant writing skills quickly. Of course, you can also take grant writing courses, read grant writing books, and review grants to also build your skills.But if you have never written a grant before and really want to learn, then sometimes grant writers start off as a volunteer or intern for a nonprofit.However, you must remember that your services will not always be free and you will build your grant writing experience quickly.So, if you are going to do this, then be sure you do the following!No if, ands, or buts. Do this.Have a conversation with the nonprofit leader and let them know that you will volunteer your grant writing services for either a certain number of months (i.e., three months) or up to a certain number of grants written (i.e., one foundation grant and one federal grant).Then, let them know that after that you would like to sit down again as you will then start charging for your services.If you are starting from the ground up, then this is the most important conversation you can have.Because if you do not have this conversation (where you put a limited duration of time or number of grants) then it’s going to get awkward after a while.Without this conversation it is nearly guaranteed that you will start seeing the value that you contribute to the nonprofit, and you may even experience anxiety about bringing up a conversation about getting paid.But if you have the conversation before you get started, the executive director will know in the back of her mind that there is an end date to your free services and if she loves you will already be starting to think of ways to pay you.Plus, both parties will know that the conversation is coming up. It’s not one that will keep you awake at night thinking of bringing it up.Believe me, you will feel and be so much more valued and professional.Have this conversation first.The next time you may want to consult for free…You May Write a Pro Bono Grant if You Serve on a Nonprofit BoardRemember, this is up to you.So, for example, I sit on different nonprofit board of directors, and I may write one grant per year at no cost. But let me be loud and clear.You do NOT have to do this. Your board services do not include grant writing. Just because you are a grant writer, many people will want you on their board because they automatically think free grant writing services.You need to draw a line in the sand.You may choose to volunteer your time and write one grant per year and let th...

Now that is a fully loaded statement. But worth the heavily weighed explanation.I have been going back and forth with other grant writers on this question of“Do grant writers get paid less because most are female?”and even down to“Are grant writer rates high enough?”Moreover, nearly every single female grant writer I know struggles with how to do her pricing and come up with rates that feel good.In this article, I am going to break down some of the gender-specific on the grant writing industry. Some of these may surprise you because you have been living the life, thinking you only need to Google “Grant Writer Salary” and the Internet will get some ideal number that you can just throw onto your freelance grant writing website or in that grant writer salary description.Here’s the thing. The most deafening question I get from my grant writing students is,“How much should I charge for my grant writing skills?”I am not going to give you a magic number in this article of what you should charge, but I think we first need to understand why we keep peering out into the information universe for this question instead of tuning inward.Side note: Check out related articles on how to make decisions and understand what your value is as a freelance grant writer.What I am going to share with you in this article should wake you up a bit and hopefully will ripple some change across this female-dominant landscape.“If you are self-employed…you write your own paycheck. But the amount on the paycheck is pre-ordained long before it is actually inked. It begins with your price strategy. And that is preceded by your belief system about price.” ~ Dan KennedyA conversation that recently came up with Rachel Waterman, an amazing female grant writer, was a simple conversation about the grant writing pricing world, and it ended up being a type of conversation reminiscent of, “Is it the egg before the chicken or chicken before the egg?”We were discussing that since grant writing is a heavily female-dominated industry could this be one contributing fact to why grant writer salaries are low and why freelance grant writer consultants get paid nominal wages compared to other money-related consultancies?Well, this made me want to dive into this topic further and see what is going on with the pay rates for freelance grant writers.Freelance Grant Writers Are Mostly WomenYes, indeed, Rachel and are I correct in that grant writers (and freelance grant writers) are a mostly women. According to Zippia, 65.7% of employed grant writers in the United States in 2021 are women.This is a whole lot. Now this statistic does reference employed grant writers vs. freelance grant writers, but chances are it’s about the same percent that transfer from employed grant writer into freelancing.It might even be higher as students in my Freelance Grant Writing Master Course and Grant Professional Mentorship are primarily female.I like being in an industry surrounded by women, however it also makes me a little hesitant when freelancer grant writers (or grant writers looking for a job) are seeing what other freelance grant writing consultants charge to get a baseline of what they should charge.Why does this make me nervous?Well, let’s go ahead and break down why I think looking at the marketplace might not be serving you when the field is dominated by female consultants.No disrespect. Hear me out.I will honestly point the finger at myself several years ago. Yes, that was me. I was not charging enough for my grant writing services. And if I felt that way, many other female grant writers are also suffering from systemic gender wage discrimination (described below), so are also pricing too low.The problem with this, is that if many women are pricing low to write grants, and if we look at one another to see what the standard rate should be, that rate will be low. Then we all look at it and it looks normal and becomes the sucky industry standard.And after doing some research on salary rates and female consultant pricing and a lot of personal development, I had some major epiphanies and a fantastic mindset change.There are still very REAL systemic issues with gender gap payIn the face of sexism, many women struggle to see the true value of our work and end up charging less because we don’t think we deserve more. In our guts we know we deserve it, but society has told us that we don’t deserve more than a man.Society has told us that our priorities are having babies, cooking meals, cleaning up, and taking care of others. Now, I am fine with most of those things (except cooking and cleaning. Aargh).I loved having my baby, volunteering for nonprofits, and spending time with family. There is nothing wrong with that. But it kind of leaves out all the other fun stuff I know I excel in. Like writing grants, securing millions of dollars for nonprofits, and earning an abundant income so I can enjoy life on my terms.As Rachel Rodger states in her amazing book, We Should All Be Millionaires,“Money isn’t everything, but it can solve a whole lot of problems – your own, your family’s, and the world’s.”Here’s the thing. Women only got the right to vote 100 years ago in the United States. What?! Yep, for centuri...

Let’s be real—we cover a lot in today’s episode, but we definitely dig into the nitty-gritty of how to leverage the power of celebrity to fundraise for your nonprofit.And yes… we’ve all seen it before.The starry eyes. The excitement. The moment a nonprofit drops a celebrity name and everything feels bigger, brighter, and full of possibility.Why?Because celebrities can bring massive visibility. They can leverage their audience to get more eyes—and support—on your nonprofit’s mission.But here’s the real question:Should that be your main strategy?Should it be your only strategy?Like any type of funding partnership, working with celebrities is still a partnership. That means there needs to be mutual value, aligned goals, and a clear strategy for success on both sides.In this episode, Hollywood’s social impact experts Amy & Scott Malin share what it really takes to build meaningful celebrity partnerships—and how to do it right.We also dive into their newest tech-for-good venture, the Trueheart social impact search engine, and discuss how nonprofits and grant professionals alike can better understand and communicate the value of their services.If you’ve ever wondered how to strategically leverage influence for impact—this episode is for you.ABOUT OUR GUESTAmy Malin and Scott Malin are Hollywood-based social impact experts and founders dedicated to helping purpose-driven organizations amplify their missions through strategic partnerships and innovative technology. With decades of experience at the intersection of entertainment, philanthropy, and social good, they have worked with major brands, nonprofits, and global campaigns to drive meaningful impact.They are the creators of Trueheart, a social impact search engine designed to connect individuals and organizations with causes they care about, making it easier to take action and create change at scale.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTTrueheart: https://trueheart.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.

In 2020, nonprofit organizations experienced a major shift toward online and digital fundraising. What began as a rapid push to “get online” during the early days of COVID-19 has now evolved into a bigger question: are nonprofits truly optimizing their digital marketing strategies to advance their missions?In this replay episode, Brady Josephson from the NextAfter Institute joins us to break down online marketing for nonprofits—from increasing digital trends and using authentic, focused messaging to implementing data-informed fundraising strategies. We also explore counterintuitive fundraising practices, the role of data collection through donations, key differences between email marketing and social media, and the foundational elements every nonprofit needs to succeed in digital fundraising.ABOUT OUR GUESTBrady Josephson is a leader at the NextAfter Institute, where he helps nonprofit organizations grow their fundraising through research-driven digital marketing strategies. He is known for challenging conventional fundraising practices and helping organizations implement data-informed approaches to increase impact.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.

Starting a nonprofit isn’t the only way to make an impact. There are so many ways to support a cause you care about—whether that’s volunteering, donating, or even organizing something as simple as a local cleanup.But what happens when your passion pushes you to go deeper?In this episode, we explore how you can turn that passion into a movement—without necessarily creating a nonprofit organization. Joining me is Rebecca Soriano, who shares how her passion for mental health led her to create a powerful movement called Roar to Soar. Through her medical billing business, Rebecca has long supported mental health providers. But during the pandemic, like many of us, she experienced isolation—and turned to writing handwritten letters as a way to cope. What started as a personal practice quickly grew into something much bigger. After seeing the impact her letters had, Rebecca began offering to send them to others who felt isolated—and the response was overwhelming, with 40+ requests per day. From there, the movement expanded to include writing letters to incarcerated individuals, building meaningful human connections in unexpected ways.This episode is a beautiful reminder that movements don’t always start with big organizations—they start with heart, intention, and action.If you’ve been feeling called to create something meaningful, this conversation will inspire you to take that next step.ABOUT OUR GUESTRebecca Soriano is the founder of the Roar to Soar movement, an initiative dedicated to spreading connection, hope, and mental health support through handwritten letters. With a professional background in medical billing, she works closely with mental health providers and brings a deep understanding of the importance of emotional well-being.Through Roar to Soar, Rebecca has created a growing community centered on human connection—reaching individuals experiencing isolation, including incarcerated populations, and inspiring others to take simple yet powerful action for social good.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.

You weren’t an English major or Public Administration major? No worries. You don’t have to have been a writer all  your life to transition into grant writing and to become a grant professional.In this podcast, Sheleia Phillips tells all on how she has gone from biologist to grant professional… all from the suggestion during an internship.This literally turned her life around as she realized she could apply her background in research papers and evidence-based practices to writing a grant. She then found out she loves grant writing as has pivoted her career!What We Discuss about Being a Grant Professional:Sheleia’s transition into grant writingWhy becoming a federal grant reviewer is importantWhy she offers a hybrid of services to nonprofitsNonprofit common challenges (and solutions!)How to say no to too much workHow to set up a referral networkAbout Sheleia Phillips, the Grant ProfessionalSheleia Phillips MPH, CHES is the Founder and Principal Consultant of SMP Nonprofit Consulting, a firm commitment to helping nonprofits raise money through grants and sustainable funding since 2018. A servant leader, Sheleia has dedicated herself to the growth and development of nonprofits for the past ten years. Sheleia has secured nearly $2 million in grant awards for youth development, education, and health programs through her work as a Grant Writer and Fund Development Consultant.Sheleia holds a Master of Public Health with an emphasis on Maternal and Child Health from Saint Louis University and a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Chemistry from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She is equipped with advanced training in public health, program development, and public policy.Her expertise spans collaborating and leading a variety of maternal and child health, mental health, recidivism prevention, and education projects. Sheleia is also a grant reviewer for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.A Bank of America Emerging Leaders alum, Sheleia believes that nonprofits are essential to creating the change we all want to see. She has a deep passion for people and helping community organizations succeed with excellence and integrity. Sheleia motivates others with her can-do attitude, enthusiasm, and positive personalityRelated Links:Ep. #70: Why Blueprints Organize Your Nonprofit Strategies with Sarah Olivieri. Click hereEp. #117: Learn How To Pivot Your Nonprofit’s Operations with Sarah Olivieri.Ep. #164: How to Get Rid of Boring SWOT Analysis and Revive Your Strategic Planning. Click hereEp. #174: How to Conduct Meaningful Conversations for Effective Nonprofit Strategic Planning.Ep. #177: 8 Expert Tips For Raising $10,000+ in a Nonprofit Facebook Fundraiser. Click hereContact Sheleia: https://www.smpnpc.com/OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox.  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE 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, special guest Sarah Olivieri joins us to break down her powerful Impact Method—and how it can be used by both nonprofits and freelance grant writers to create more effective, sustainable organizations.If you’ve been looking for a clear blueprint to better manage your time, increase your capacity, and grow your impact, this episode delivers exactly that.Sarah walks us through what the Impact Method is and how it helps organizations move from overwhelm to clarity by focusing on what truly matters. We also dive into what “capacity” really means for nonprofits and how to build it in a way that supports long-term success.In this conversation, you’ll learn how to create an effective operational blueprint, reclaim your time, build accountability into your systems, and delegate more effectively so you’re not doing everything on your own.If you’re ready to streamline your work, scale your impact, and lead with more intention, this episode is a must-listen.ABOUT OUR GUESTSarah Olivieri is a nonprofit strategist, consultant, and founder of PivotGround, where she helps nonprofit leaders build sustainable, high-impact organizations. She is the creator of the Impact Method, a framework designed to help nonprofits increase their capacity, improve operations, and achieve greater results without burnout.Sarah is passionate about helping leaders simplify their work, focus on what matters most, and create systems that support long-term growth and mission success.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.

It’s officially knee deep into summer. Are you enjoying the popsicles, sparklers, and giggles with the family or are you stuck in the grind? In this article (or feel free to listen to the podcast), I go behind-the-scenes to explain why and how you should take time off your grant writing business or nonprofit.Maybe July is a super busy month because you have grants due, a nonprofit fundraiser, or more.Yet. A summer sabbatical, two-week break, or maybe even a year abroad sojourn could be exactly what makes sense for you in your nonprofit or grant writing business right now. ​Even if you are busy beyond busy because let’s face it, every month becomes the busiest month ever. No light at the end of that tunnel.I’ve been hearing the term ‘sabbatical’ thrown around in entrepreneur groups. No longer is this term only whispered in the halls of academia.This actual term of sabbatical is defined according to Merriam-Webster dictionary as:nouna period of paid leave granted to a university teacher or other worker for study or travel, traditionally one year for every seven years worked.”she’s away on sabbatical“adjective1.relating to a sabbatical.”sabbatical leave”2.ARCHAICof or appropriate to the sabbath.So, yes, this is way more of an academia term yet also includes a nod to some thing sacred. Pretty cool, huh?What is also interesting as most entrepreneurs and grant writers use this term as paid time away. This might mean having saved up funds for this particular time off or maybe they are generating passive income. For nonprofit leaders, the time I am talking about taking off is also paid time away.Because, let’s face it. Taking time to recharge isn’t so relaxing when you’re not getting paid.When to Take Time Off Your Grant Writing BusinessWell, there are several different ideas of this.1) Forced to take off time from your grant writing business or nonprofitThe most common is to take off time from your grant writing business or nonprofit when you are so burned out that you literally can’t function. Usually this type of  ‘time off’ includes sleeping for days of end (forget the Konmari you planned on doing with your break this year or trips to the beach) all the way to a possible hospital rest (yes, my first grant writing boss actually had a heart attack in his 30s).This is a dangerous place to be, however the good ole American work ethic and literally work people to death. Not that good after all, huh?2) Take Time Off Your Grant Writing Business After a Heavy WorkloadThe next most common practice is to schedule time off after an intense workload period. So possibly after a huge fundraiser or long grant season. You know you will need a break so you schedule time off in advance for after that intense period of working. Let’s be real, sometimes the intense periods need to be had. But by this time you are so burned out that the two days off (or week off) isn’t nearly enough.Literally, your schedule time off from your grant writing business or nonprofit could also be like #1 (sleeping for days on end or ending up in the hospital).3) Take Time Off Your Grant Writing Business Before You Get Burned OutThe least common but most effective. Schedule time off from your grant writing business or nonprofit before you get burned out. Seems pretty simple, but so many people feel guilty for doing this!Imagine this: You take off time before the crazy intense period so you can feel fresh and 100% during those times and don’t require a 7-day Netflix binge with pizza every night just to feel semi-normal. How much more productive and less intense would those periods feel?While looking at this in my own life and grant writing business, I realized that I need to be operating on #3  A LOT more. I need to schedule time off in advance from my grant writing business. I am a very classic A type personality and going, going, going is my game. But I often find myself operating in the #2 (or sometimes #1) phase and it is not a pretty place to be!What I believe I will start incorporating into my life – at the very least – is taking off three months a year minimum. Let’s face it, around the Christmas holidays and during summer I want to spend time with my daughter as she is out of school. Then I want a month to recalibrate and focus on things that light me up! I know that by doing this I will be so, so much more present and energetic for my freelance grant writing mentees and course customers.In this podcast, I go behind the scenes of how I was able to take off my ‘summer sabbatical’ and set up systems where my brand still continues but I get to take off time with my family!This system can be replicated :)Think about what phase (1, 2, or 3) you resonate with and how you can start to operate more in #3 to take time off your grant writing business.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 o...