Grant Writing & Funding | Kia Created Systems to Hire a VA and start a Blog in her Grant Writing Business

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.

In this inspiring episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Kia Chatmon, founder of Heart for the Community Consulting, to explore her journey from working in the nonprofit sector to building a thriving grant writing and consulting business.

Kia opens up about the diverse cause areas she serves—ranging from health and education to youth development—and shares the exact systems she’s put in place to streamline operations, improve client onboarding, and free up her time.

From the power of networking and word-of-mouth referrals to the game-changing decision to hire a virtual assistant, Kia reveals how intentional delegation and clear processes have transformed her business. She also dives into her new blog strategy for generating leads and providing value, plus gives a sneak peek into her upcoming LinkedIn Live series supporting Black-led organizations.

Whether you’re a new freelance grant writer or a seasoned pro looking to scale, this conversation is packed with practical tips and motivation to help you work smarter—not harder.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Kia transitioned from nonprofit staffer to successful grant writing consultant
✅ The importance of grant readiness for nonprofit clients
✅ Why networking and referrals are still the most powerful growth tools
✅ How mentorship programs can accelerate your business journey
✅ The systems Kia uses for onboarding, follow-up, and client retention
✅ The benefits of hiring and delegating tasks effectively
✅ How blogging can position you as a trusted expert in your field
✅ Insights into Kia’s LinkedIn Live series for Black-led organizations

Chapters:
01:01 – Kia's Journey into Grant Writing
04:39 – Niche Services and Grant Readiness
08:48 – Starting the Business and Networking
11:58 – Joining the Grant Professional Mentorship Program
14:22 – Comparing Business Training Programs
16:30 – Elevating Business Communication
21:00 – Leveraging Digital Platforms for Growth
25:58 – Streamlining Operations and Hiring
28:57 – Enhancing Client Relationships and Retention
32:05 – Empowering Communities Through Nonprofit Leadership

Resources & Links Mentioned:
🔔 Subscribe for more grant writing and nonprofit strategy tips!
📚 The Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing – Get the Book
🎓 Freelance Grant Writer Academy – Join Here
🤝 Grant Professional Mentorship – Learn More
🌐 Visit Holly’s Website – Grant Writing & Funding

What is Grant Writing & Funding?

Quit your toxic nonprofit job and replace your full-time income while writing grants part-time, from home! Join our students in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy to create Financial Stability and Flexibility through writing grants for causes you are passionate about: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy

World-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick provides coaching that helps new and experienced grant writers replace their full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or anywhere they want to live or travel in the world).

She coaches changemakers to master grant writing and start to grow 6-figure+ grant writing businesses on part-time hours via her signature group program, “Freelance Grant Writer Academy."

As an unapologetic feminist, Holly’s work in coaching female grant writers to master grant writing, find their cause-area niche, and navigate value-based pricing and nonprofit sales is breaking glass ceilings for women all over the world.

Every week, she coaches thousands of people through the top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy.

Holly has 20 years of experience in grant writing, and began her freelance grant writing journey back in 2005. While teaching in Kuwait and Indonesia, and then earning a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy in Belgium, Holly saw the light of setting up a virtual-based business in grant writing back in the mid-2000s. Having secured more than $45 million of dollars for nonprofit organizations, and then setting up a multi 6-figure freelance business, Holly has a mission to help female grant writers break out of toxic nonprofit J-O-B-S and create high-level income while freelance grant writing.

Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, students have secured more than $225+ million in grant funding and $4+ million in revenue in their grant writing businesses within two years.

To amplify this work, she is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Guam Business Advisory Task Force as an advisor to the first female governor of Guam. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.

If you are interested in replacing your full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or from anywhere in the world!) join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy!