Grant Writing & Funding

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 agricult...

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...

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...

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 engageme...

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 message Being unclear if you will reach all the grant proposal criteria points Being unsure if you are using the ‘right’ words This week, Erin Lebacqz of High-V...

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...

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 strategie...

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 Money A lot of stat...

Federal grant funding can make a huge difference for your nonprofit organization, government agency, or business! But how to find this funding can be confusing. ------------------------------------------------------ ✨💌 Visit https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ for the Hub Haven Grant Writing 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: Get sample grants, logic models, videos, and more. Start to write win...

Amy Cross joins us to unpack the realities of gender equity in the nonprofit sector and challenge the assumption that a female-dominated industry automatically ensures fairness. We explore how organizations can intentionally use funding to support equity, what a Gender Fair Assessment looks like, and why data and transparency—especially around pay—are critical to progress.  Amy also shares insight...

In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Kamy Akhavan, Executive Director of the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, to explore what today’s growing political divide means for nonprofit organizations—and how to navigate it with intention, clarity, and impact.  Together, they unpack key concerns nonprofits face, including which social movements to advocate for on social media, whethe...

Your nonprofit may be considering hiring a grant writer... BUT the bigger questions is: "Should you hire a freelance grant writer or a staff grant writer?” Check out all the reasons your nonprofit may want to join in the Freelance Revolution to save money, management woes, and resources when hiring a freelance grant writer. Check out the glorious pros and the meh cons. ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK Grant Wr...

#1:  Get your Business Formerly Set Up Should you open an LLC or Sole Proprietorship?  The answer to this question really depends on your state and what your goals are.  Other items you will want to do are consider getting your business bank account set up and identifying the name of your business . There’s nothing sweeter than getting your first check written out to your business :). Plus, when y...

There’s a lot changing in the nonprofit sector as we navigate 2022—and in many ways, it’s a doozy (in a good way!). In this episode, Shannon McCracken, leader of The Nonprofit Alliance, joins us to break down the latest trends shaping nonprofits today—from policies and training to fundraising and job opportunities. We explore how organizations like The Nonprofit Alliance are working to strengthen...

Do you ever feel like your nonprofit to-do list never ends? As a nonprofit leader, development director, or grant writer, you’re likely juggling a lot —and some of those tasks have been sitting on your list for months… or even years. But here’s the real question: Do you actually need to do all of them? In this episode, Patrick Kirby, founder of Do Good Better Consulting, challenges the idea that d...

The Burning Question to Help You Take Time off from Your Nonprofit It's been a busy week and I am back in the full-time swing of things. Why? School started! If you are a parent, you know what I am talking about. Summer is real for taking mandatory time away from the computer when you have kids. But it's a great mandatory time away. If we try to 'work through holidays' we may end up feeling guilty...

Are you thinking about running a webinar for your nonprofit consultancy—or your nonprofit organization? You’re not alone. Webinars have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years—and for good reason: they work. In this episode, we break down exactly how webinars can help you grow your organization, expand your reach, and build stronger relationships with your audience. We dive into the what...

Knowing how to write grant applications is an essential technical skill in the nonprofit sector—but what happens when funders add layers of constraints that make the process even more challenging? In this episode, Teresa Huff of Grant Writing Simplified joins us to break down common frustrations in grant writing, from strict character limits to navigating funder expectations and misconceptions abo...

Mary Gladstone-Highland, joins us to discuss how nonprofits can share powerful stories of impact while still honoring the dignity of the communities they serve. We explore the fine line between compelling storytelling and unintentionally exploiting beneficiaries for emotional appeal, and how “clickbait-style” narratives can do more harm than good.  Mary shares how nonprofits can shift their messag...

Getting a nonprofit client is amazing when you are a nonprofit consultant. Until it isn’t amazing. I’ve seen many nonprofit consultants pull their hair out (including me!) when they get the wrong type of client.  The one that keeps negotiating your price down. The one that asks for continued revisions of grants outside of the scope of the contract. The one that doesn’t respect your boundaries. So...

Hey, it’s my birthday! And in celebration of my 46th (woot-woot), I am giving you 46 grant writing tips! Grab this download of all the 46 tips when you join the FREE Grant Writing & Funding Hub Haven !  Grant Writing Tip #1: Be Concise in Your Writing No long, fluffy sentences in your grant writing! Be succinct. Be concise. Grant Writing Tip #2: Explain the Problem with Simplicity What is the...

How can you prevent your nonprofit from losing its tax-exempt status? And if you’re a nonprofit consultant, are you setting aside enough money for taxes? These are critical questions that can have major financial and legal implications. In this episode, Noura Almasri joins us to break down the red flags that could put your nonprofit at risk and what you need to know to stay compliant. With decades...

Knowing where to find grant funding sources is essential to winning grants—but simply Googling “grant funding” can send you down an endless rabbit hole (and waste a lot of time). In this episode, we dive into smarter, more strategic ways to find and manage grant opportunities with the help of Foundant Technologies. We explore Tammy’s journey working with nonprofit organizations, the learning curve...

Nonprofit Consultant Series #2 If you are considering a job transition, then becoming a nonprofit consultant could be your best bet. Why? Well, in mid-2022 the job market is prime. Plus, nonprofit organizations are looking for talent right now. In fact, studies have shown that the nonprofit sector is regaining some of its pre-pandemic growth, where it was the largest growing sector since 2009.  Pl...

Do Not Use These Words In Your Grant Proposals There are certain words and things that you should NOT include in your grant proposals! I often teach about what to DO in your grant writing (such as in the Grant Writer Master Course), but I haven’t really said, “Don’t do this!” Therefore, this episode is dedicated to what NOT to do in your grant writing. #1 Don’t Use Ambiguous Language #2: Don’t Use...