Grant Writer or Freelancer? A Guide for Executive Directors

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In this episode, Marcia Beckner sits down with grant writing expert, author, and Grant Writing & Funding podcast host Holly Rustick for a candid conversation about what nonprofit leaders need to know before hiring fundraising support.

They explore a question many Executive Directors and nonprofit CEOs are quietly asking right now: is it smarter to hire an in-house grant writer, or bring in a freelance specialist?

But this conversation goes far beyond staffing models. Holly also shares her perspective on nonprofit burnout, toxic work norms, the CEO vs. Executive Director mindset, gender pay gaps in the sector, and why more women are building flexible consulting businesses that better support their lives and leadership.

If you have ever felt stretched too thin, unsure how to build fundraising capacity, or curious whether a freelance model could create more sustainability for your organization, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The real difference between hiring an employee and hiring a freelance grant writer
• Why many nonprofits unintentionally overload staff and reduce fundraising effectiveness
• The mindset shift from Executive Director to CEO
• How nonprofit culture can normalize overwork, guilt, and blurred boundaries
• Why flexibility, pricing confidence, and business ownership matter for women in the sector
• What nonprofit leaders should consider before adding grant capacity to their team
• How some leaders successfully transition from in-house roles to freelance grant writing careers

Resources mentioned:

• Holly Rustick: https://grantwritingandfunding.com
• Check out her #1 Grant Writing Podcast: Grant Writing & Funding
• Freelance Grant Writer Academy
• Grant Professional Mentorship
• The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing book
• Marcia’s Burnout to Boundaries Session at Culture CARES®

👉 Are you catapulting towards burnout? Schedule a private session: https://culturecares.com/burnout-to-boundaries/

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