Grant Writing & Funding

Latest Episodes:

Ep: 399: State of Grants 2025: A Conversation with Mike Chamberlain of GPA - Part 2 Apr 29, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

Executive Director of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), Mike Chamberlain and Holly Rustick of Grant Writing & Funding to discuss the role of GPA in supporting grant professionals through advocacy, community building, and professionalism. Holly and Mike delve into the importance of job classification for grant professionals, the annual salary and benefits survey, and the future of grant writing in 2025 amidst changing federal policies and economic conditions.

They also discuss the intricacies of the grant application process, the evolving landscape of funding, and the importance of adaptability for grant professionals. They explore the necessity of diversifying funding sources, overcoming assumptions in grant writing, and the value of repurposing materials for broader applications.

The discussion also highlights the resilience required in the face of uncertainty and the upcoming Grant Summit as a vital community-building opportunity for grant professionals.

Watch Video Podcast HERE: https://youtu.be/ZrdynSl3B6c

Links Mentioned:
Grant Professional Mentorship: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Tune in today to listen to this podcast.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward writing higher quality grants without overwhelm, and to start and grow successful grant writing businesses!

Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!"

This Podcast Episode is Lovingly Sponsored by:
Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS).
Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN!
Book YOUR FREE demo now!

State of Grants 2025: A Conversation with Mike Chamberlain of GPA - Part 1 Apr 23, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Interview with Executive Director of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), Mike Chamberlain and Holly Rustick of Grant Writing & Funding to discuss the role of GPA in supporting grant professionals through advocacy, community building, and professionalism. Holly and Mike delve into the importance of job classification for grant professionals, the annual salary and benefits survey, and the future of grant writing in 2025 amidst changing federal policies and economic conditions.

The discussion also highlights the resilience required in the face of uncertainty and the upcoming Grant Summit as a vital community-building opportunity for grant professionals.

About Mike Chamberlain

Mike Chamberlain is the current CEO of the Grant Professionals Association. He has extensive experience in managing/directing personnel and operations, developing the strategy and setting priorities with national associations in dynamic industries. He is a committed professional and an innovative leader with proven abilities in creating and using a vision, identifying problems and using data to develop creative solutions. Chamberlain is experienced in developing leaders, improving performance through removing obstacles to cooperation to focus on member needs. He has been effective in startup operations and in turn-around situations. He has successfully led teams through system implementations, including new Association Management Systems.

Connect with Mike Chamberlain

Links Mentioned

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 PODCAST

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!

“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 Rustick

Leading 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.

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This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems

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Ep: 397 How AI Is Changing Grant Writing and What You Need to Know Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the grant writing world, but maybe not how you imagine. Sure you could go ChatGPT, put in a Request for Proposal and ask it to produce a grant proposal. But that grant would not get funded. Why? Before AI can produce a quality grant proposal, you need to provide it with your own original content. Today’s AI models need that original content to use, edit, and respond to. In other words, AI grant writing still requires work! In other words, the nonprofit sector still needs grant writers. However, AI tools can make grant writing easier and more efficient. Through my Freelance Grant Writer Academy, I’ve trained thousands of grant writers, helping them build thriving grant writing businesses. It also gives me a unique insight into how grant writers are really using tools like AI. Let’s take a look at what’s working with grant writing and AI (and what isn’t). Watch Video Podcast HERE: https://youtu.be/CbsNL22cM3U Related Links: -Why AI Won’t Take Your Grant Writing Job: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/why-ai-wont-take-your-grant-writing-job/ -Using Chat GPT and AI for Grant Writing with Philip Deng: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/using-chat-gpt-and-ai-for-grant-writing/ Links Mentioned: Grant Professional Mentorship: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship Freelance Grant Writer Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/ Tune in today to listen to this podcast. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward writing higher quality grants without overwhelm, and to start and grow successful grant writing businesses! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!" This Podcast Episode is Lovingly Sponsored by: Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now!

Ep: 396 Grant Writing Myths: What No One Will Tell You About this Career Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

Surprisingly, there are a lot of myths out there about grant writing. From the myth of working on commission to nonprofits not having money to hire grant writers, these myths might hold you back from even starting a career in grant writing. Why are there so many grant writing myths out there? Because a lot of folks aren’t familiar with grant writing or nonprofit organizations in general. Even many folks who start nonprofit organizations aren’t familiar with how they operate, they just have a passion for helping causes. Grant writing (to non-grant writers) also feels very mysterious and a bit untouchable. However, it’s not. Grant writing as a career is simply offering a service for organizations using your skills and experience. With a successful 20-year grant writing career that is still going strong, I decided it was time to break down some of these myths! Watch Video Podcast Here: https://youtu.be/Kzbv2Zm4lZo Links Mentioned: Grant Professional Mentorship: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship Freelance Grant Writer Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/ Tune in today to listen to this podcast. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts “Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — move toward writing higher quality grants without overwhelm, and to start and grow successful grant writing businesses! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!" This Podcast Episode is Lovingly Sponsored by: Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now!

Bonus Ep: The First Hire You Shouldn't Make as a Grant Professional Apr 01, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

Many grant professionals who are booking out clients and feeling overwhelmed think they need to hire a full-time, credentialed grant writer ASAP. They assume an experienced hire will require less training and be easier to manage. But here’s the truth: hiring a fully credentialed grant writer is NOT the first team member you should bring on. In this episode, we break down why this is a costly mistake and what you should do instead. You’ll learn: ✅ Why hiring a credentialed grant writer is your most expensive hire ✅ Why you still need to train any new hire in your methods, even if they have experience ✅ The importance of creating Systems and SOPs before bringing in a team ✅ A smarter, more affordable way to get help with research and admin tasks first You deserve to feel confident and financially safe as you build your team. Inside the Grant Professional Mentorship, we teach you exactly who to hire first, how much your business can afford, and how to streamline your hiring process with our Part-Time Lean Team Method. Join the Grant Professional Mentorship!A 12-month group coaching mastermind designed to help grant professionals double their business revenue with a team, systems, and scalable offers—without burning out. 💰 Investment: $6,000 paid-in-full (includes a 1:1 Business Strategy Call with Holly!) or 6 payments of $1,000.🚀 Limited seats available! Once spots are filled, enrollment will close. 📌 Ready to grow your team the right way? Join now or book a sales call today! Doors close April 4th, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship

Bonus Ep. How to Recession-Proof Your Grant Writing Business - Why Waiting Won’t Work Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

The world feels uncertain, but your grant writing business doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we talk about why waiting for the "right time" can cost you opportunities—and how leaning into change can set you up for success. I’ll also share exciting updates about our Grant Professional Mentorship, including new Innovation Calls designed to help you pivot, expand, and double your revenue in 2024. 👉 Doors to the Mentorship close this Friday, and we may not re-open in 2025! If you’re serious about thriving, not just surviving, tune in to learn why NOW is the time to take action. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ Why waiting for stability could hold back your success ✔ How to recession-proof your grant writing business ✔ The power of Innovation Calls and expert mentorship ✔ Why this may be the last chance to join before 2026 Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship close Friday, April 4th at 11:59 pm EST. Find out more here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship

Bonus Ep: How to Hire a Grant Writer in Your Grant Writing Business & Stop Doing all the Client Work Mar 30, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

If you're a freelance grant writer or running a service-based business, there comes a point where you hit a financial and time ceiling. To scale beyond $50,000 to $100,000 per year, outsourcing is crucial. In this episode, we explore when and how to hire grant writers to help you grow your business without burnout. Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship close on Friday, April 4th at 11:59 pm EST. The Grant Professional Mentorship is a 12-Month Group Coaching Mastermind for Grant Professionals to Double Your Business Revenue with a Team, Systems, and Scalable Offers - without Burning Out. Join now: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Signs it’s time to start outsourcing in your grant writing business How to hire the right grant writers and avoid common hiring mistakes The difference between subcontracting and hiring contractors How to track time and set task expectations Why Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are essential for smooth onboarding How to determine what your business can afford to pay contractors Creating a clear job description and application process Why and how to use test projects before hiring Steps to successfully hire and onboard your first grant writing contracto Be sure to subscribe to our podcast!

Bonus Ep: Replay "Double Your Grant Writing Revenue, Writing Fewer Grants, During Any Administration" Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

Join Holly and hundreds of folks who signed up for this Webinar, "Double your Grant Writing Business Revenue, by Writing Fewer Grants, During any Administration". The doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship! The Grant Professional Mentorship is a 12-Month Group Coaching Mastermind for Grant Professionals to Double Your Business Revenue with a Team, Systems, and Scalable Offers - without Burning Out. We have limited seats available. Seats are first-come, first-served. Once our seats fill up, we will not take any further calls. This is the first time in 2025 that our Grant Professional Mentorship has OPENED publicly and might be the only time this year. The Investment for the Mentorship is one payment of $6,000 (paid in full bonus includes a 1:1 Business Strategy Call with Holly) or 6 payments of $1,000. Join by April 4th, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST or book a Sales Call: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship

Growing a Grant Writing Business from $5k to $200k in 2 years with Isatou Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

In this conversation, Isatou Bittaye-Jobe shares her journey from being an in-house grant writer to becoming a freelance grant writer specializing in grassroots social justice organizations.

She discusses the challenges and opportunities in the funding landscape, particularly the shift from federal to foundation grants. Isatou emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community support in her business growth, highlighting how delegation and team building have allowed her to achieve a better work-life balance.

Holly and Isatou also touch on the mindset shifts necessary for success in the nonprofit sector.

About Isatou

Isatou Bittaye-Jobe is a Grant Writer and strategist dedicated to mobilizing resources for nonprofits advancing women’s rights, gender and racial justice, human rights, democracy, and social change. As the Founder and Principal Consultant of AmiKha Consulting, she assists U.S.-based and Global South nonprofits with funding strategy, grant writing, grant research, and grant readiness services. With over 15 years of experience, Isatou has secured more than $10 million in grant awards from private foundations, multilateral donors, and government agencies. She specializes in foundation, state, and federal grants, including the U.S. Department of Justice’s OVW and OVC grants, to support social justice movements in the U.S. and Internationally. Before founding AmiKha Consulting, Isatou served as Director of Institutional Giving at UltraViolet, leading institutional funding strategy and raising the organization’s $5 million annual budget.

Isatou’s intersectional approach to grant writing draws from her expertise in fundraising, program management, community organizing, and advocacy within the social justice and international development sectors in Africa and the U.S. Beyond grant writing and fundraising, Isatou actively advocates for philanthropy to shift toward Community Centric Fundraising-aligned principles and trust-based philanthropy models, including presenting at prominent events on topics such as “Grant Writing as Activism and Advocacy” at the 2024 Grant Professionals Association GrantSummit.

Originally from The Gambia, Isatou began her career in human rights advocacy. She is a 2016 Women Deliver Young Leader Alumni, recognized globally for advancing gender equality. She holds dual M.A. degrees in Women’s and Gender Studies from the City University of New York Graduate Center and International Studies from National Chengchi University in Taiwan.

Connect with Isatou

Links Mentioned:

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 PODCAST

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!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,

Holly Rustick

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This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

———————————————————————————

Bonus Ep: From Higher Education Grant Writer Job to Retirement Business Mar 17, 2025

Show notes

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

Go behind-the-scenes of the Grant Professional Mentorship with Dr. Cheri Westmoreland of Spirit Excel. Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship Close on Friday, April 4th, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship In this episode, Holly Rustick interviews Dr. Cheri Westmoreland, CEO of Spirit Excel, who shares her extensive experience in grant writing and management. Dr. Westmoreland discusses her journey from federal grants to foundation grants, the importance of compliance, and how mentorship has helped her build confidence and business acumen. She emphasizes the need for nonprofits to adapt to changing funding landscapes and the value of investing in oneself through mentorship programs. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes of managing a grant writing business while working full-time, and the evolution from being a grant writer to becoming a business owner. Takeaways - Dr. Westmoreland has 30 years of grant management experience. - She initially resisted grant writing but found success through mentorship. - The transition from federal to foundation grants opened new opportunities. - Compliance is crucial in grant management, especially with federal grants. - Building confidence through mentorship has been transformative for Dr. Westmoreland. - Managing clients while working full-time requires strategic planning. - Investing in oneself is essential for growth in the nonprofit sector. - The mentorship program provides valuable resources and support. - Evolving from a grant writer to a business owner is a significant shift. - Networking and marketing are key to finding clients in grant writing. About Dr. Cheri Westmoreland Dr. Cheri Westmoreland, founder of Spirit Excel, exists to energize, empower, and elevate faith- and community-based organizations through tools to enhance professional excellence. Cheri has worked for over 30 years in higher education and in non-profit community-based agencies. She currently works at the University of Cincinnati as the Executive Director for Academic Enrichment and Outreach. Cheri has successfully received federal grants totaling over 1.2 million per grant for 3-5 years of funding. Offering services to write foundation and state agency grants, strategic planning for nonprofit and business/ministry, program development and program evaluation, grant review and grants management services. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, from Wittenberg University, Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Miami University, and Doctor of Education in Educational Foundations from the University Cincinnati. She is also a member of the Grant Professional Association. Dr. Westmoreland is married to Kim Westmoreland and has an adult married son and two beautiful granddaughters. Contact with Dr. Cheri Westmoreland Email: cherispiritexcel@gmail.com Website: https://spiritexcel.org 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! Thanks for listening! Warmly, Holly Rustick Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home! Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid” https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

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