Grant Writing & Funding

✨ Click here to download the Infographic Top 10 Responsibilities of a Nonprofit Executive Director: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/158-3-tactics-you-didnt-know-to-become-a-nonprofit-executive-director-ninja/ ​ ✨ What if you had a checklist to help streamline your duties as an executive director of a nonprofit organization? Sometimes an executive director of a nonprofit organization is stereotyped as juggling a million things and getting paid peanuts. But this doesn't, nor shouldn't, need to be the case. For a nonprofit organization to thrive, the executive director should have a roadmap. Some nonprofit organizations may not even have an executive director yet, and are even drooling at this aspect of having one! But the deal is - if your nonprofit is so fortunate to have an executive director - don't burn them out! So here's the old hierarchal order of a nonprofit. There is a board of directors that provides guidance for the nonprofit organization and then the executive director implements this guida

✨ 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/Knowledg

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.

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 s

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 moneti

✨✨ 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! H

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

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!

✨✨ 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

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 fin

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://w

Welcome to the December Nonprofit Series! Dr. Beverly Browning will be my co-host throughout the entire month! Eek! In this week's podcast, we cover the Red Flags in starting or growing a nonprofit! Make sure to visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com/147 for more info! 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 ✨✨

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 yo

This year is definitely a bit different when thinking for end of year fundraising. Let's be real.  But not doing fundraisers may not be an option (and shouldn't be) for your nonprofit, or the nonprofits that you serve.  Let's be real. People still want to give to your nonprofit. And some people may have some extra cash this year as they aren't traveling and doing all the normal holiday things. Other people may even realize the impact your nonprofit really has in the community and understand that you haven't been getting the funding you normally do. Therefore, I encourage you to do your fundraising events. But I also realize that you may not be able to do the good ole brick n' mortar (or live) ones that you usually do. So here are some great ideas for nonprofits to do some virtual fundraisers over this Thanksgiving or over the holidays in 2020 and beyond. 1. Build Relationships - Thank Your Current Donors Before you start asking for money, you want to make sure you first have given thanks. This is your ti

Has your nonprofit, or the nonprofits you work with, received any CARES Act Funding? If not, you will want to listen to this full podcast! This week Mr. Tim Butler comes on the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast to discuss how your nonprofit can tap into CARES Act Funding before this round is gone. Yes, certain stipulations have been made so that states and cities distribute their portion of CARES Act funding by a certain time. In some cases, it's as soon as November 15th, 2020. However, there will be some extensions, but it's better to jump in on this now rather than later. About Tim Butler: Long have the disparities in America existed between the haves and have nots. But Tim is here to close the gap and shrink that great divide. Tim Butler, Founder & Owner of Freelance Soul Professional Services, an unapologetically black male-owned grant writing and fundraising consulting firm. Headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma (Historic Black Wall Street), Tim specializes in working with individuals and entities from hist

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 operating  Include a certain percentage of your general operating expenses within the direct categories of a grant project budget Include 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 coll

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 r

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 in Episode 140: Grant Language Made Easy. So let’s get into the meat and potatoes of today’s video starting 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 Proposal I 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. #2) Research the Needs To 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. #3) Articulate the Goals & Narrow Your Objectives The goal or goals in a grant is the overarching outcome. This needs to be clear for both

As you may or may not know acronyms are grants best-friends. If you’ve heard the terms FOA, RFP, SAM, DUNS, or a number of other terms, then you are in the grant world. I once heard a grant writer speak an entire sentence using only acronyms. Ugh! If you are overwhelmed already, don’t worry, I’m going to start breaking it down right now! Let’s first dissect the main different types of grants and contracts. There are federal grants, state contracts, and foundation grants. Think of those like your three main hubs. Federal grants are monies allocated from the federal government. State and local government contracts often receive much of their funding from the federal government as they can promote economic efficiency due to localized knowledge to implement a program more efficiently and effectively than the federal government (i.e., pass-through funding). A foundation grant is a monetary assistance provided to individuals and small businesses by companies, citizens, government, and non-government orga

✨✨ Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com to get the proven G.R.A.N.T.S. formula to write winning grants ✨✨ Navigating the road of freelance grant writing can feel lonely and overwhelming at times.  That's why I was so excited when Tawanda Ellis reached out to me via a mutual friend, Dr. Beveraly Browning. I was inspired to hear about Tawanda's roadmap and success as a freelancer. Honestly, the people who follow a roadmap normally do end up in the same place of success as Tawanda. But the type of person who commits to this is few and far between. That's why I get so excited when talking to other freelance grant writers who have built a business out of their house and from their talents.  This lady has done precisely that, and I know you will be just as encouraged and inspired as I was! Plus, you can download Tawanda's downloadable, the "Write it Out Method." In this podcast and YouTube episode, we discuss: ✔️ How Tawanda got 25+ clients in less than 3 years with only word-of-mouth advertising ✔️ How she s