How long have you been doing what you do and how did you get to be a Grant Consulting Mentor?
Let's Start at the Beginning
I began my career as a lowly grad student intern for a state government organization whose entire existence was built on federal grant funding. I was hired for glamorous tasks such as making copies, coloring counties on a state map (really!) and the occasional trip to county task force meetings. I didn’t know at the time that I was learning all the little jobs that go into making a great grant application.
After graduating with a degree in Public Administration, I said goodbye to my internship duties and began a career in nonprofit fund raising. Working for a regional branch of the American Heart Association was trial by fire. We did it all, from organizing volunteers for the annual city neighborhood drive to a slew of special events that included bowl-a-thons, “celebrity” jail bail, “celebrity” bagger (for tip change…in many grocery stores…where we were responsible for counting out all those pennies, dimes, nickels and quarters,) and other humiliating, I mean fun, fund raisers.
I knew early on that there had to be a better way to earn serious funding for my nonprofit. Special events should be a part of every nonprofit’s fund raising plan, but they need to be supplemented. My next career move allowed me the flexibility to experiment with a combination of fund raising techniques. This is where I drew on what I had first been introduced to all those years ago and began writing grants – successfully!
Finding a Balance, Beginning a Family
Like many women before me, the time came to start my family but I struggled with how to find a way to balance contributing to my community, earning a living and creating quality time to nurture home and family. I absolutely loved grant writing and I had calls from other agencies to write grants for them on the side while I was still working full time. I decided to quit my “day job” and begin my grant writing consulting business – thus, Your Grant Authority was born.
How I Began Teaching Others To Do What I Do
Over the last ten years as a grant writing consultant, two questions have consistently been asked of me:
“How do I learn how to write grants?” and
“How do I learn how to work from home writing grants?”
Well, what I didn’t tell you earlier about me was that I started off as a teacher – I just fell into nonprofit work by accident. Because I love teaching as much as grant writing, I decided to finally take my experience and write guides and programs from them that I feel will help others. Your Grant Authority is based on solid grant writing principles backed by results. I’ve raised more than $10 million in my grant writing career where every dollar raised has helped someone in some way. I love the fact that I can still help in my community while nurturing my home and family and I have a passion to teach others how to do the same. I realize that others like me dream of working from home while “saving the world” - and making money!
I have been where you are – as a beginning grant writer and as a “9-5” employee just bursting with desire to step out on my own. I promise that if I can do it, you can as well!
Today, I’m thankful to be the daughter to loving parents, a wife to a patient husband and proud mother to an active, 4-year-old boy. As my career has taken different paths in the last 16 years, I am confident that I have found my “calling.”
I hope that you find these Questions and Answers helpful. In celebrating a decade as a grant writing consultant I have never been happier! Don't make the same mistakes I've made – experience has been a great teacher and I'm happy to share. :)
How Long Have You Been Doing What You Do And Why Are You Doing It?
I have spent close to eighteen years as a nonprofit fundraiser and the last decade of that time as a grant writing consultant. I was asked the question so often “How can I do what you do?” that I decided to devote myself to training others how to write grants and begin their own successful grant consulting businesses.
Why is becoming a grant writing consultant a smart career move? Because with a million and a half nonprofits in the U.S. alone wanting and needing grant money, there is a whole lot more demand for grant writers than there are supply.
Who Are Your Clients?
Most of my clients are just like me – they want the freedom to earn money from home affording them the ability to raise a family, contribute to the household income, work for themselves and work with clients of their choosing. Some have a nonprofit background and are ready to put their skills to work for themselves while most simply want to learn a brand new skill and begin a new career path.
What Is Expected of Your Clients?
I welcome clients from all walks of like – those that have a background in nonprofit as well as those that don't. Some clients are just beginning their careers while others are seeking new career paths or are transitioning into retirement. Regardless of why a client wants to work with me, all I ask is that they come prepared to learn with an open mind, are willing to try new things, apply what they learn and step out of their comfort zone.
What Makes Your Grant Authority Unique?
My business is unique in that no one else provides one-on-one coaching and training for future grant writing consultants. There are a limited number of books available but no intensive training to turn a novice grant writer, or even an experienced grant writer, into a money-making consultant is available anywhere else.
What Exactly Is Your Grant Authority and What Training Programs Does It Include?
Your Grant Authority is a one-stop-shop for training current grant writers and nonprofit professionals, as well as completely new grant writers, to become successful and sought-after grant writing consultants both in their communities and globally.
All of my training is based on just 5 simple steps to growing a successful grant consulting business:
- Develop the mindset of an entrepreneur
- Make money from other services besides grant writing
- Sign new clients using both online and offline marketing
- Establish a reputation as a professional
- Earn consistent income while working less
Complete training systems that delve much, much further into these five simple steps include:
GRANTcoach – A six-week intensive one-on-one coaching program that results in participants knowing both winning grant writing skills and how to begin and flourish as a grant consultant.
clubGRANT – A monthly membership support group designed specifically for nonprofit professionals already winning grants. Topics featured include how to transition into consulting, how to start a consulting business, marketing techniques and how to win clients.
What Results Can Be Expected?
A complete knowledge and understanding of how to write award-winning grants, beginning a business from scratch and how to use online and offline marketing to attract clients both locally and globally.
Does This Really Work And What Do Your Clients Have To Say About You?
Yes - I am living proof that what I teach works. I have run a successful, six-figure business for a decade! Read some client testimonials that prove that I “walk the talk.”
How Quickly Can I Expect To See Results?
While results vary among participants depending upon previous grant writing experience and other factors, some clients begin to see results immediately while it takes others anywhere from six months to a year. Success is dependent on how closely a client sticks to the program taught.
Will I Recover The Investment I Put Into Your Programs?
Compared to what can be gained in the long run, a client's investment is modest. You have to be willing to invest something to get started. I take my responsibilities and commitments to my clients very seriously.
Do You Offer Any Discounts?
I often offer early-bird rates, coupon discount codes and percentages off. These will always be advertised to ensure that everyone has a chance to benefit.
If I'm Not Sure I'm Ready To Invest In One-On-One Coaching, Can I Sample Your Work At A Low Cost To See If It's Right For Me?
Sure! These training manuals are all conservatively priced. They will give you a good idea of content to expect in my higher-end coaching programs as well as a sense of my teaching style.
GRANTstarter – The step-by-step, get-started guide to writing winning grants.
GRANTworks – The complete how-to manual for beginning a wining grant consulting business.
GRANTquickstart – The combination package of GRANTstarter and GRANTworks at a reduced rate.
Okay, I Feel Better Now That You've Answered My Questions But I Still Have A Few More. Can I Call You?
I encourage you to! Before making an investment in yourself you want to make sure it's the right one. Please call me at 678-240-0402 and I'll be glad to answer your questions. Remember, I'm a Southern girl and I love to talk - I want to hear about your struggles and your situation and see how I can help.
Here's to your success,
About Betsy