Grant Writing & Funding

Strong communication is the foundation of any successful relationship—and that’s especially true when it comes to grant writers and nonprofit clients. In this episode, Steve Boland, founder of Next in Nonprofits, shares decades of experience on how consultants and nonprofit teams can collaborate more effectively. We explore how clear communication and defined roles can ensure grants are completed...

This is a fully loaded question. The thing is that freelance grant writers can make as much money as they want to make. No, I am not trying to be cheeky. It’s true. So, really the question underneath this one is: “How much money can I make as a freelance grant writer?”   Which brings us to another layer of a question… “How much can I charge as a freelance grant writer?” You can see that these ques...

Let’s be real. Being a nonprofit executive director isn’t always a walk in the park. There are definitely challenges that one faces with wearing the following hats: Leader and visionary Fundraiser Being the face of the organization Marketer Manager …and so much more. It’s a good thing that Dolph Goldenburg, founder of Successful Nonprofits , comes on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to disc...

One of the best ways to improve your grant writing is to become a federal grant reviewer. This and, of course, writing grants . Grant reviewing is when you put on your critique hat and analyze a variety of grants. This is SO beneficial to understand how federal grants are scored. A federal grant reviewer is someone (non-federal) who reviews federal grant applications. Why is this beneficial for yo...

Nonprofit Consulting Series #1 Understanding how much time to spend working on your business versus working in your business can be a head scratch.  Even the most seasoned nonprofit consultants and freelance grant writers can find themselves going down the rabbit hole of non-prioritized tasks.  For example, if you find yourself spending 80 percent of your time on social media and are getting a lot...

A question I often get is, “How do I create a logic model?”  This is a great question, and in today’s episode Dr. James Pann describes how to create a logic model. But one also needs to understand what a logic model is and why it’s important to the grant writing process. A logic model is really a process in a visual display. This visual process helps grant reviewers, grant writers, and your nonpro...

If you are a nonprofit executive director or nonprofit leader, this episode is for you! Many nonprofit executive directors feel overwhelmed wearing 25 different hats — from fundraising and grant strategy to board management, staff oversight, and operations. According to The Nonprofit Fixer, Sean Kosofsky, nonprofit executive leadership does not have to feel this chaotic or unsustainable. I have Se...

Budgets can be unnerving for nonprofit organizations. Understanding what all goes into a budget can seem simple until you start adding into your budget: Programs ,  Operating expenses, Indirect costs,  In-kind  Donations , and  Income At this point, your nonprofit may want to consider hiring an accountant or having some training. It’s a good thing that Damien Scott of My Summit CFO comes on the po...

In this episode, I’m joined by nonprofit expert Patton McDowell to explore what it really takes to transition into a nonprofit executive role.  We dive into how to navigate lateral moves within organizations, understand philanthropy and volunteer management, and build essential governance knowledge for working with boards. Patton also shares how to recognize and break through career plateaus, asse...

Finding social media ambassadors and influencers for your nonprofit might feel like an unattainable goal.  I mean, who really knows Kim Kardashian or Beyonce? But influencers and ambassadors do not have to equal super elite celebrities . In fact, influencers could include a work-from-home mom that has a YouTube channel about baking for toddlers or a really good friend that is a part of a networkin...

Stu joins us to share how nonprofits can use technology and data to significantly increase donor retention and long-term giving. With over 30 years of experience, he breaks down how organizations can better leverage the data they already have, implement simple but effective strategies to improve donor stewardship, and use tools like surveys and timely follow-ups—such as the critical 45-day touchpo...

In this episode, we dive into how to build sustainable funding for LGBTQ+ nonprofits—and the real challenges and opportunities that come with it. Jack shares his journey of finding support through LGBTQ+ organizations and how that experience ultimately led him to found TurnOut, a platform designed to connect volunteers with grassroots LGBTQ+ nonprofits. We explore what it takes to fund and grow mi...

Rachel Waterman joins us to share how grant writers and nonprofits can build stronger, more strategic relationships with funding sources to create sustainable funding pipelines. With over 25 years of experience, she breaks down why securing grants still costs nonprofits money, how to ensure funding supports core operational needs, and the often-confusing distinctions between program and operating...

If you’ve ever stared at a blank page wondering where to even begin with a grant… you’re not alone. Grant writing can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we break down a simple, step-by-step framework to help you move from confusion to clarity when writing grants. You’ll learn how to stop starting from scratch every time and instead use proven strategies to guide your pro...

If you are looking to increase your grant writing skills to the next level, you are going to love these tips! First off, do you already know how to write grants ? If not, that’s okay! You might also want to refer to our article on the steps on drafting an effective grant application .  In this article and podcast, I am going to go over some sidebar tips on grant writing that will increase your com...

✨💌 Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources 💌✨ 👉💰🖥️ Grant Writing Master Course: Get sample grants, logic models, videos, and more. Start to write winning grants! https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-master-course/ 🖥️🔥 👉 Want to get paid to write grants? Join the Freelance Grant Writer Master Course to launch and grow a freelance grant writ...

YouTube isn’t just for entertainment—it’s a powerful platform for fundraising. But how can nonprofits actually leverage it? In this episode, Sydney Stelmaszek shares her firsthand experience using YouTube to raise funds for SynGAP1 research, a rare disease that personally impacts her family. As a student of the grant writing master course, Sydney brings both heart and strategy as she explains how...

Ansley Fender joins us to break down the essentials of nonprofit financial management, answering common questions around budgeting, cashflow planning, audits, and financial software like QuickBooks. She shares practical strategies to help nonprofits avoid financial red flags, including how to properly structure financial oversight with key roles like an internal reviewer, treasurer, and auditor. ...

Asking donors to give money to your nonprofit can feel uncomfortable—even stressful. Many nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers aren’t sure how to approach the conversation, what to ask for, or even who they should be asking. But here’s the truth: nonprofits need to ask for donations. The key is knowing how to do it effectively. In this episode, Dr. Omotola Akinsola of The Funding Magne...

To Move Mountains is an U.S. IRS tax-exempt nonprofit organization developed to facilitate education development in the conflict area of Nuba in Sudan. I had the pleasure of speaking to the founder of To Move Mountains, Ryan Boyette in this episode. He shares with you how this nonprofit has been able leverage resources and international funding. But first, they started (and remain) at the communit...

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every part of our lives—from mental and physical health to how we work and lead. Nonprofits and freelance grant writers are no exception. As we continue navigating the post-2020 landscape, the workforce has shifted dramatically—giving rise to what’s known as the Great Resignation. And while this shift has created challenges, it has also opened up new opportunitie...

Grant writers cannot get paid to write grants on commission. This is one of the most popular urban myths of the grant writing world. It might sound like a win-win situation, but it's not. ✨💌 Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com for the Hub Haven Grant Writing Resources 💌✨ 🖥️ Free Training on January 24th 2022: "How to Identify 50 Nonprofit Clients in Less Than an Hour" https://grantwritingandf...

In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Mazarine Treyz to have an honest and necessary conversation about gender bias in the nonprofit sector. With nearly 66% of grant writers in the United States identifying as women, the prevalence of discrimination, underpayment, and inequity is both widespread and unacceptable.  Together, they unpack how sexism shows up in the nonprofit world, including...

Grant writers ask me this question a lot, “Holly, how much should I charge to write grants?” While executive directors at nonprofit organizations ask me, “How much should I expect to pay to hire a freelance grant writer?” My answer… Well, there certainly is no magic number. But there are systems to identify what rates YOU can charge as a grant writer . Because the most important constant variable...

Does your nonprofit struggle to retain donors while constantly searching for new ones? You’re not alone. This challenge is known as donor churn—and most nonprofits lose around 55% of their donors every year. Even more surprising? It can cost 50–100% more to acquire new donors than the value of their initial donation. So how do you break the cycle? In this episode, we explore a powerful and persona...