Grant Writing & Funding

Branding is important—and it’s not going anywhere. Yes, even for nonprofit organizations. But if you’re thinking, “I don’t even have enough budget for my programs—how am I supposed to invest in branding?”—you’re not alone. Here’s the good news: you don’t need a big budget to build a strong brand.In this episode, Dr. Beverly Browning and I break down what nonprofit branding really means and how you can create a professional, trustworthy presence without overspending.We talk about simple, practical ways to get started—from basic materials like business cards to the must-have asset every nonprofit needs today: a website. Because let’s be real—having just a Facebook or Instagram page isn’t enough anymore.We also share tips on affordable, user-friendly tools and platforms that can help you build a beautiful and functional online presence without feeling overwhelmed.Whether you’re a nonprofit leader or a freelance grant writer supporting organizations, this episode gives you a crash course in branding that’s both accessible and impactful.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States.In addition to her expertise in grant writing, Dr. Browning supports nonprofits in strengthening their overall capacity, including strategic planning, funding diversification, and organizational development.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.

Is your nonprofit struggling financially—or relying on just one type of funding like grants or fundraising?If so, this episode is for you.And guess who’s back on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast? Dr. Beverly Browning—woot-woot!In this conversation, we explore how nonprofits can build a more balanced and sustainable funding strategy by diversifying their income streams. We discuss how board members can play an active financial role, why even startup nonprofits should implement simple monthly fundraisers, and how to position your organization for credibility by being listed on platforms like GuideStar.We also cover practical ways to secure startup funding, how organizations can raise $40,000+ within a year, and why your funding strategy should never rely on just one source. Plus, we dive into how social media plays a key role in amplifying your funding opportunities and visibility.If you’re a nonprofit leader, board member, or grant writer looking to strengthen your organization’s financial health and expand your funding approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States.Dr. Browning specializes in helping nonprofits diversify their funding streams, strengthen organizational capacity, and develop long-term strategies for financial sustainability.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.

Don’t know where to start with strategic planning?You’re not alone—and this episode is here to help.Dr. Beverly Browning is back on the podcast, and together we dive into how nonprofits can shift from constantly chasing funding to building a clear, intentional strategic plan.Instead of reacting to every grant opportunity, we talk about how to step back, define your priorities, and create a roadmap that actually supports long-term sustainability.In this episode, you’ll get practical tips on how to approach strategic planning for the year ahead, how to align your funding efforts with your mission, and why having a plan in place can make all the difference in your nonprofit’s growth.If you’re ready to move from reactive fundraising to proactive strategy, this episode is a must-listen.ABOUT OUR GUESTDr. Beverly A. Browning is a nationally recognized grant writing expert, author, and trainer with decades of experience helping nonprofits secure funding and build sustainable programs. She is the author of multiple books on grant writing, including Grant Writing for Dummies, and has trained thousands of nonprofit professionals across the United States.Dr. Browning specializes in strategic planning and helping nonprofits develop diversified funding approaches that align with their mission and long-term goals.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.

Welcome to the December Nonprofit Series! Dr. Beverly Browning will be my co-host throughout the entire month!In this podcast, we go over the Red Flags that we have both seen time and time again when it comes to nonprofits starting or growing.Some issues include:Not having a board of directorsHaving a family-only run boardThinking the millions of dollars of grants will start rolling in the minute you file paperworkStarting a Sole Corp instead of a 501(c)3Thinking you can pay a grant writer with the commission of an awarded grantNot having a conflict of interest policyWe discuss all of these and more!About Dr. Beverly BrowningDr. Beverly A. Browning has been consulting in the areas of grant writing, RFP responses, technical writing, and organizational development for over four decades.  She has assisted clients and workshop participants throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $500 million.  Dr. Browning is the author of 43 grant-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing For Dummies™ (Wiley.com). She is also an international trainer and keynote speaker.  In 2015, she was selected by the Centers for Disease Control NICRD division to conduct a five-day Grant Writing Boot Camp in South Africa for ministers of health and other top-level health directors from 23 African countries.Dr. Browning holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Organizational Development, Public Administration, and Business Administration.  She has been a grant writing course developer and online facilitator for Cengage Learning (www.ed2go.com) for 17 years.  Her online courses (taught to thousands of students annually) are Advanced Proposal Writing, Becoming a Grant Writing Consultant, and A to Z Grant Writing: Part 2 – Beyond the Basics.Dr. Browning is Founder and Director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and CEO for Bev Browning, LLC.  She was a 17-year member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and has presented training workshops and keynote presentations for multiple GPA chapters U.S.-wide.  In 2017, Dr. Browning joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and was a workshop presenter at their 2018 International conference in New Orleans. She is an approved trainer for GPA and CFRE International.Dr. Browning has been married 53 years to John and has one daughter, Lara, a licensed therapist, and a special needs granddaughter, Aaliyah.Connect with Dr. Beverly:To find out more about Dr. Bev, check out http://bevbrowning.com/Or find her on LinkedIn where she facilitates a group at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevbrowning/Related Links:Check out Episode #108: Freelance Grant Writing Wisdom with Dr. Beverly Browning. Click here. Check out Episode #118: Freelance Grant Writer Panel: Grant Writing During COVID-19. Click here.Check out Episode #119: BONUS Freelance Grant Writer Panel: Grant Writing During COVID-19 Q&A. Click here.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.

GivingTuesday is a global movement that began in 2012, and (wowza!) has it gained momentum. This was originally a day to create a movement from shopping to giving and has been very focused on nonprofit organizations.  Who is this important for: ✔️ If you are a nonprofit leader ✔️ If you are a freelance grant writer of nonprofit consultant Why is this day important? ✔️ You can gain buzz about the nonprofit ✔️ You can get donations and funding on this day ✔️ You can kick off a nonprofit end-of-year campaign ✔️ (Freelancer) You can earn an additional stream of income by making this a service you help nonprofits with Listen to the podcast to get 6 tips to help you join in on this international movement :) Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email holly@grantwritingandfunding.com I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

This year may feel different when it comes to end-of-year fundraising—but that doesn’t mean fundraising should stop. In fact, it shouldn’t.People still want to give. Some may even have more capacity to give, while others are more aware than ever of the impact your nonprofit has in the community. So, the question isn’t if you should fundraise—it’s how.If traditional, in-person events aren’t an option, this episode walks you through creative and effective ways to shift your strategy online while still building connection and generating revenue.We start with the foundation of all successful fundraising: relationships. Before asking for donations, it’s essential to thank and recognize your current donors—whether through handwritten notes, social media shoutouts, or other meaningful touches.From there, we explore four additional virtual fundraising ideas that are both engaging and practical: Hosting a virtual Turkey Trot or fun run paired with a scavenger hunt  Organizing a seasonal baking competition with opportunities to upsell winning treats  Creating curated gift baskets for corporate partners with pre-orders to minimize risk  Planning a holiday-themed virtual trivia night to bring community and fun together online Each idea is designed to help you raise funds while strengthening relationships and creating memorable experiences for your supporters.If you’re looking for ways to keep your fundraising strong—no matter the circumstances—this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable ideas.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.

Has your nonprofit—or the nonprofits you support—received CARES Act funding? If not, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.In this conversation, Tim Butler breaks down how nonprofits can still tap into CARES Act funding and why it’s critical to act quickly. With specific deadlines and distribution requirements set at the state and city level, there’s a limited window to access these funds—and waiting could mean missing out.Tim shares insights into how these funds are being allocated, what nonprofits need to know to qualify, and how to position your organization to secure this funding before it’s gone. If you’re looking for timely, actionable guidance on accessing emergency funding opportunities, this episode will help you understand what steps to take right now.ABOUT OUR GUESTTim Butler is the Founder and Owner of Freelance Soul Professional Services, a grant writing and fundraising consulting firm based in Tulsa, Oklahoma—home of the historic Black Wall Street. As an unapologetically Black male-owned business, Tim is dedicated to closing the funding gap for historically underrepresented communities and vulnerable populations, including people of color, women, veterans, faith communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and disadvantaged organizations.With over 15 years of experience and a 93.75% grant success rate, Tim has secured more than $1 million in funding for startups, nonprofits, and social entrepreneurs. His clients have seen returns on investment as high as 35:1. He is a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and holds a Community Development Certification from Howard University.Tim specializes in helping organizations become grant-ready, secure their first funding, and implement systems for long-term sustainability. His services include nonprofit formation, grant research and writing, corporate sponsorship development, board training, and grant review and editing.Guided by his belief that “knowledge is just having information—wisdom is knowing how to use that information to get desired results,” Tim is passionate about creating equitable access to funding and ensuring more organizations have a seat at the table.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/freelancesoulOTHER 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.

Oh yes. Those pesky grant writing qualms.Here are the top questions that I get.#1: How Do You Get Funding From Grants for General Operating Expenses?You can get funding for general operating expenses through 3 ways:Pursue specific grants that target general operatingInclude a certain percentage of your general operating expenses within the direct categories of a grant project budgetInclude up to 10% of the grant amount in the indirect category in a grant budget#2: As a non-US grant seeker, is there funding available?Yes! There is absolutely funding available! You can get that through the following:There are certain U.S. federal grants that give specifically to nonprofits (both U.S. organizations based abroad and to non-U.S. nonprofits)Certain foundations give out money to nonprofits around the world (think Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)There are many international funding sources, such as EU organizations, UN organizations, foundations, Canadian funding, etc.#3: Do you recommend college courses for beginning grant writers?That depends. If you are in college already and want to get college credit toward a degree this could be great. However, if you are not in college nor seeking a degree, then I would recommend taking a grant writing course offered by a grant writer that is in the field.Such as my 6-Week Live Grant Writing Course or DIY Grant Writing Course *wink-wink*But the fact is these courses can cost way less and take less time, but give you the real tips of how grant writers are actually winning grants!#4: What’s the best approach when a foundation states they don’t accept unsolicited applications?Develop a relationship. A way to side-step the gatekeeper is to go on LinkedIn and start a relationship with decision-makers at the foundations. But remember – don’t go in blazing asking for money right away. Spend time liking their posts and making comments. Start sharing things with them that they may find interesting. And make sure they are a good fit. Does their mission statement align with your nonprofit’s mission?#5: I am a freelance grant writer and my nonprofit client does not know how to guide me.  What questions should I ask to get information?Ooh, I love this one. So first off you need to:Give them a list requesting certain documentsThen have a Kick-off Grant Writing MeetingInclude the Executive Director, Bookkeeper, Grant Coordinator, and possibly an expertWrite down the deadlines and tasks for everyoneWant to listen to the entire podcast with way more examples? Click above on the podcast link :)To sum up, the 5 Most Popular Grant Writing Questions are:How Do You Get Funding From Grants for General Operating Expenses?As a non-US grant seeker, is there funding available?Do you recommend college courses for beginning grant writers?What’s the best approach when a foundation states they don’t accept unsolicited applications?I am a freelance grant writer and my nonprofit client does not know how to guide me.  What questions should I ask to get information?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.

Anytime you’re trying to find the best-fit grants, it can be hard. Because in the beginning, everything’s new.  Things like figuring out the best grant search platform, knowing which grant programs are the best-fit, and knowing when to submit grant applications can be overwhelming. And you can see that as you grow, you come up against new challenges. Even if you have experience with grant writing already, you’re always looking for the 80/20.  You don’t have time to waste, so you want to find the 20% that’s going to produce 80% of the results. Well to know that you need to know what types of grants are out there. And there are 3 types of grants: ✔️ Federal ✔️ State Grants ✔️ Foundation We discuss all of these in the podcast today! ✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ Favor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener? This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review! If you have any questions, feel free to email holly@grantwritingandfunding.com I’d love to connect with you! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzIfwJt0az9KKwKz1Uc8vg Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/grantwritingandfunding/ Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/ ✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨

This week, I’m going to teach you how to write winning grants with this 5-step How to Write a Grant Proposal.  This will help you with your confidence if you are a beginner grant writer or even an advanced grant writer.If you want a free grant writing class you can watch NOW, check out this free grant class.So if you’re a new grant writer, but you aren’t sure how you can write winning grants, or you’re an experienced grant writer looking to understand the basic formula of all grant structure, you’ll discover how grant writers like you and me can write winning grants – and why it’s critical you focus on this right now.In last week’s podcast, we talked about a process for creating award-winning grant applications.  I shared how this is going to immediately help you simplify grant lingo, so you feel less overwhelmed, check out Grant Language Made Easy.  So, if you listened to that podcast go back and watch it now – and then come back to this one.This week I am going to build on what we discussed by sharing the #1 thing you must master if you want to write winning grants.  Think of this as your “first step” towards making this happen.This is an entirely new way of thinking about grant writing, so you will want to pay close attention.I am also going to share how to write a budget.  When you know how to do this, you will know exactly what funding you can request.The goal is to break you free of being unsure of how to ask for money.  This way, you will never have to worry about how to write winning grants which means you’ll with your confidence if you are a freelance grant writer or write a grant for a specific nonprofit.We have got a lot to cover today, so be sure to have your pen and paper ready to take notes as you follow along.Any time you are trying to write winning grants, it is inevitable you’ll hit roadblocks.  You might have experienced some of them already.Things like pulling out your hair, staring at a blank screen, and even not even knowing where to start.Well, here is what I know to be true: if any of this sounds familiar, it’s totally normal.But if you simply accept this at face value, you will never write winning grants.And I know where you are coming from.  I get that it feels like some of this is out of your hands.It’s frustrating to come up against these things – again and again.  I’ve been there myself, and I’ve seen other Grant Writers go through the same thing.And it’s especially stressful because you know that getting past these challenges is key in helping you write winning grants.So, in this podcast and article, I’m going to make it easy for you.  I’ll help you avoid these usual headaches by showing you the simple steps I follow to write winning grants which will save you lots of frustration.So let’s get into the meat and potatoes of today’s article and podcast with these 5 Hacks to Write a Grant Proposal.Okay, so when starting to write a grant application the first thing you need to do is:#1) Get the Funding Opportunity Announcement or Request for ProposalI never start with a blank page because I copy and paste what it is in the FOA for the criteria directly into my Word document or Google doc.Firstly, I do this because I need to make sure the nonprofit is eligible for the grant program, but secondly, I do this because I am writing in response to what the funding source has requested. Now if you spend time writing a flowery narrative but it includes WAY more (or none) of the information requested the funding source is going to be a bit frustrated.Sound harsh?It is the truth and it’s not meant to be mean at all. A lot of these funding sources receive hundreds of applications and they need to follow what their priorities are. If they do not see that you are directly responding to their individual request they won’t look favorably on your application.Another helpful reason I copy and paste the criteria and then turn it into headers is that it takes my guesswork out and gives me a guide. No more blank pages.#2) Research the NeedsTo create a compelling case for a grant application, you need to provide statistics and facts. A flowery statement about how awful the situation might get some tears, but it will not get grants won.The funding source wants to know how well you can meet their priorities, so they know there is a gap and a need. Chances are they are as passionate as you are about solving the problem. But sad pictures and horror stories do not paint a complete picture. They need to see statistics, surveys, and case studies to show the need.So, if you are pursuing a grant to serve human trafficking survivors, do put in the number of prosecuted cases in your region, the number of trafficked victims, and geographic vulnerabilities such as interstate highways, etc. Also, use research when you can that is within the previous five years.#3) Articulate the Goals & Narrow Your ObjectivesThe goal or goals in a grant is the overarching outcome. This needs to be clear for both you and the funding source. If you don’t have a goal then it will be confusing for both of you.What is it you want to accomplish? What other community goals can you tie this into?It might be: “To create safe homes for survivors of human trafficking in our region.”This is important as it is the big picture.The objectives are then what you can do to reach your goal. These objectives also need to be SMART, which stands for:SpecificMeasurableAchievableRelevantTimeboundFor example, an objective to reach your goal could be, “By the end of quarter one, to lease a 4-plex apartment building that will provide housing for 8 survivors of human trafficking.”What other objectives do you think would be needed to reach your broad goal: “To create safe homes for survivors of human trafficking in our region?”What about hiring services workers, buying housing consumables, linking to food pantries for food, workforce training, education services, etc.#4) About Your OrganizationYou also want to include why the funding source should give you money. Include your board of directors or experience of the key employees to carry out the services of the project.You can also include any experience the nonprofit has of winning grants or securing donations. This shows that you have credibility in managing funds.#5) the BudgetOf course, you also must provide a request for the actual money via a budget. It is not enough to say you need $500,000. You need to show how that money is broken down.I encourage you to include a spreadsheet (even if you copy and paste it into your Word doc).I encourage grant writers to use the main categories of the federal government to include the following:PersonnelFringe BenefitsTravelContracts/ConsultingEquipmentSuppliesOtherIndirectIn our example, the leases might fall into cont...