Grant Writing & Funding

✨ FREE Nonprofit Client Start Guide: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-client-starter-guide/ ✨ Ready to Start Growing Your Freelance Grant Writing Business But Not Sure Where to Start? This podcast episode and free (and highly detailed) cheat sheet will give you, as a freelance grant writer or nonprofit consultant, everything you need to know to confidently reach out to nonprofit leads and start securing clients like a pro. (Yep, even if you’re starting with no clients!) Let's face it - starting a freelance grant writing business or nonprofit consultancy can feel overwhelming! Knowing how and where to find nonprofit clients can be like facing a large ocean of obscure possibilities. But it doesn't have to be that way! That's why I created this extensive roadmap for you! So how do you find those clients? Through the following 5 steps! (download the roadmap or listen to the podcast to get examples and the full system!) #1: Identify Your Skillset #2: Identify Your Passion/Knowledge/Experiences #3: Decide Which Services to Offer First #4: Create a nonprofit client lead list #5: Pitch to Nonprofit Clients If you follow the Roadmap and do all of these steps, you will have a minimum of 50 nonprofit leads on your list! So securing 10 of those 50 just became a lot more doable. Plus, these will turn into warm leads really quickly. No more cold calling when you use these strategic steps! Be sure to download the Roadmap and listen to the podcast! ✨ FREE Nonprofit Client Start Guide: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-client-starter-guide/ ✨

Being a freelance grant writer doesn’t need to be a career - yes, career, not just a hobby - full of pulling your hair out! Not at all, my friend. This can be quite the opposite. It can be one where you grow in a methodical way and start with a strong foundation. 👉 Click here to get all the links from this interview! 👈 What better way to do that than to listen to someone else’s mistakes and how they have traversed into a success! My guest and Freelance Grant Writing expert coach, Rodney Walker, gives you all the tips of the trade and goes behind-the-scenes to show you what to avoid! (wink-wink, some major confidence tips coming at you!). Plus, he shares the most common mistakes freelance grant writers make when starting out and how to avoid them. Whether you’ve been a freelance grant writer or a nonprofit consultant for years, or you’ve been a little overwhelmed to get started, this episode will ease those hesitancies and ensure you are sure-footed in your journey. Here’s a snapshot of a few things we talked about… • Having real confidence in starting a business • Why closed doors might be a sign to change direction • Why affirmations are so important • How he went from broke to making a prosperous income and what that took • Behind-the-scenes on the igrantwriters.com and that you might be featured there already! Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/ “I’ve been devouring the episodes and learning a ton of practical tips in the process. They are full of great nuggets of information” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more changemakers — just like you — move toward the grant writing life and business that they desire. Warmly, Holly xo

In this podcast, I am going to bring up when your freelance company or nonprofit should stand up for movements or injustice. Here’s the deal. Sometimes I see nonprofits and freelance companies not sure if they should publicly support something. Most of the time it’s not because you don’t support something, but rather you might not be sure if your brand should make a stand. In this episode, I am going to give you indicators on how you can quickly decide if you want your nonprofit to stand on an issue and how you want to represent it. I am not going to shove down your throat what my stances are on issues, however, I will use my company’s stances as examples that I actually practice what I preach. Here’s the issue. Many times nonprofits and freelancers are just scared to publish a social media post or say they are in alignment with issues. They may fear losing donors, losing followers, or getting unsubscribes on their email list. They may not want to marginalize or polarize their audience. I am going to show you how to make decisions where those fears will not be an issue. Why is this important? Because we are moving more and more from a position where non-political players have an influence in the social, economic, and yes political movements. The invention of social media is has created a platform for sharing views and perspectives. I remember when celebrities first got on social media and suddenly there was direct access to their thoughts and beliefs. It was, and is, pretty cool. But social media is also your platform of your nonprofit’s view and ethics or your freelance grant writing businesses branding. To post nothing is to post something. ✨✨ 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 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 ✨✨

I actually get this question a lot. Why should I start a podcast?  And later after explaining it the following two questions: How do I start one? Can I earn revenue with a podcast? In this week's podcast, I speak to podcast expert Larry Roberts, podcast host of Readily Random and the 1 Big Win. Larry is quickly becoming one of the top coveted podcast consultants in the United States.  What we discuss in this episode: Why Your Nonprofit or Freelance Biz Must Start a Podcast ✔️ Your podcast is a platform ✔️ A foundation of your voice  ✔️ To launch speaking opportunities and products ✔️ You become a go-to in your nonprofit industry ✔️ Creates credibility ✔️ Brings people into your world ✔️ Share stories of beneficiaries ✔️ Connect with funders and donors in an intimate way ✔️ A place to create relationships with people you would never have the chance to meet How to Monetize a Podcast ✔️ Be your own sponsor ✔️ Insert your own commercial ✔️ Ask for donations (like a telethon) ✔️ Understand you won't monetize it right away ✔️ Use the podcast to launch a campaign ✔️ Use it to launch digital and physical services The Big Leap: Behind the Scenes of Larry Transitioning into Full-Time Podcasting after 21 Years in a Job ✔️ Why your gut is important to listen to ✔️ Make sure you test the market before you jump ✔️ When your J-O-B is no longer fun (red flags) ✔️ Why it took Larry 5 years to leap ✔️ Jump ship, let it go or make it a hobby ✔️ Why online course creation is on his list ✔️ Why multiple streams of revenue are vital for podcasters  ✔️ Why he's transitioning during the pandemic

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com/153 to get the Free Resource: Interview Like an Expert & 5 Tips to Boost Your LinkedIn Profile✨✨ Lynée Alves is a successful career coach and business coach. She helps individuals effectively position their skills and experience, and also provides guidance on job search strategies, interviewing skills and mindset strategies. In this podcast, she discusses how to interview like an expert and boost your LinkedIn profile! This is great for nonprofit leaders, volunteers, freelance grant writers, and more! ✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com/153 to get the Free Resource: Interview Like an Expert & 5 Tips to Boost Your LinkedIn Profile✨✨ 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! Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/

2020 Mash-Up 8 Tips on Freelance Grant Writing & Nonprofits Oh my goodness! This podcast was SO much fun to edit. I got to go through some of the MOST-listened podcasts of 2020 and grab some snacks for ya. That's right. I grabbed the gold of the good. This is caramel boutique popcorn for you to snack on. I pulled some excellent snippets to start off with nonprofit tips, then went into pricing and packaging for freelancers. But this episode is super unique because it's a historical archive of highlights from 2020. It showcases how we pivoted - and continue to pivot - in our nonprofit and grant world.  See who is featured! Jenni Hargrove: Jenni Hargrove is a Charitable Marketing Coach and hosts a podcast for nonprofit leaders called the Nonprofit Jenni Show. With a background in market research and corporate philanthropy, Jenni loves training nonprofit leaders in best practices for building a robust Marketing and Fundraising Strategy. Angela Braren of Instrumentl: Writing, winning & awarding grants for 14 years; Started as a grant writer/jill-of-all-trades at an environmental nonprofit after college and most recently at the Global Fund for Women in San Francisco; Lead Instrumentl building what she wishes she had when she was a fundraiser; When she’s not thinking about grants she’s either at yoga, on a hike or hanging out with her two calico rescue cats, Bella and Possum. Sean Kosofsky is the NonProfit Fixer! He has worked in nonprofits for more than 27 years, including as executive director for five organizations. He has worked in policy, communications, grassroots advocacy, direct service, development, management and served on numerous boards. He has raised millions of dollars for causes, candidates, and campaigns. His work has appeared in news stories around the world, and he has offered webinars or blog posts through AFP, Candid, Idealware, Bloomerang, Wild Apricot, and Pamela Grow’s Motivate Mondays. Vu Le (“voo lay”) is a writer, speaker, vegan, Pisces, and the former Executive Director of RVC, a nonprofit in Seattle that promotes social justice by developing leaders of color, strengthening organizations led by communities of color, and fostering collaboration between diverse communities. Sean Croxton: #1 Podcast host: Quote of the Day (#1 daily motivational podcast) Underground Wellness (one of the internet’s most popular health podcasts) The Sessions Author of Dark Side of Fat Loss e-book Started the JERF (Just Eat Real Food) movement Host of seven online summit events, including The Thyroid Sessions, Digestion Sessions, and The Depression Sessions Creator of Rich Lit Society, an online book club Dr. Omotola Akinsola: Omotola has over seven years of experience as both an in-house grant writer and as a freelance grant consultant to various nonprofit organizations across the United States and the continent of Africa.  A Social Worker by trade, Omotola combines her passion for education, youth, leadership, homelessness, community service, nonprofits and social entrepreneurship with her skills as a writer and researcher. Rodney Walker is president of Grant Central USA, a grant development training firm that is internationally known for helping organizations land six-figure and seven-figure grants and shave months off the time it takes for them to get funded. He oversees an elite network of approved licensees who deliver today’s leading training in grant development systems. Dr. Browning is the author of 43 grants-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing For Dummies™ (Wiley.com). Dr. Browning is Founder and Director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and CEO for Bev Browning, LLC.  Browning has assisted clients and workshop participants throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $500 million.

What is your new year's resolution for your nonprofit? "This is the time not to drink, but to think." Dr. Beverly Browning The first thing on your list should be (before you even file for a nonprofit) in your state should be to learn the entire process from start-up to sustainability. If you have the right board of directors, a strategic plan, a financial outline, and the right branding, then you can do this! (Join the Nonprofit Start-Up Academy if you want this entire system) But let's face it, 2021 has changed the priorities and funding systems for many nonprofits. So it is time to make a new resolution for your nonprofit! 1) Reflect on what is most important in how your nonprofit will operate 2) Are there new goals for your nonprofit (include your board of directors!) 3) Writing your values down and seeing if they fit in your mission and vision statements 4) Do you need to create new projects or programs? These questions will help you define what your nonprofit's New Year's Resolutions should be! Want more information? Check out www.grantwritingandfunding.com/151. Warmly, Holly & Dr. Bev

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to sign up for the Nonprofit Start-Up Academy ✨✨ OMG. Branding is important and here to stay. Yes, even for nonprofit organizations. But Holly, I don't have a budget for my programs how do I fund a swanky website or social media posts? Don't you know we are living off peanuts here? Okay, the second question there is worth another podcast all on its own. For reals. We gotta pull up a seat for that one. The first question, though, here is your answer. You don't need a big budget for branding. Sometimes it's as simple as having business cards for your staff. But let's be real, it's almost 2021 (or maybe your reading this in 2021 and beyond), and you need a website. Not just a Facebook page. Not just an Instagram account. You need a website and there are a lot of very affordable and user-friendly options out there. It can be overwhelming, though. So that's why Dr. Beverly Browning and I put together this podcast so that you would get a crash course on some great tips and resources to get your nonprofit (or if you are a freelancer: the nonprofits you work with) up to speed on some beautiful branding. 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 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 ✨✨

Is your nonprofit struggling financially? Do you only get grants or only do fundraising for your nonprofit? If you nodded your head to either of these questions and if you are a nonprofit board director, executive director, or even a freelance grant writer looking to expand your services, then this podcast is for you. But first, guess who is back on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast with me this week? Dr. Beverly Browning! Woot-woot! In this podcast, we discover diverse funding streams for your nonprofit, and we discuss the following: ✔️ How your board of directors can contribute financially ✔️ Why your start-up nonprofit should do monthly fundraisers and how it doesn't have to be hard ✔️ Why it's critical your nonprofit is on Guidestar.org How you can get money to start a nonprofit ✔️ How you can raise $40,000+ in more than a year ✔️ What your funding should consist of (it's not all grants) ✔️ Why social media is intertwined with funding opportunities If you are looking to improve your nonprofit's financial portfolio and, heck, just get some ideas that will help increase your funding, then make sure to check out this podcast. ✨✨ 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! Thanks for listening! Holly Rustick Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/

Don't know where to start with strategic planning? This week, I have Dr. Beverly Browning back on the show with me as we give you tips to stop chasing the money, but to actually develop a strategic plan for 2021. ✨✨ 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/