[Case Study] Cindy Was a Nonprofit Marketing Director with Little Grant Experience: She Started a Grant Writing Business on the Side, Made $87,400, and Quit Her Job.

This is a bonus podcast with a special co-host from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy program!

What if you could leverage the skills you've built in nonprofit marketing and fundraising to create a thriving grant writing business—and replace your full-time salary faster than you imagined?

In this inspiring Freelance Grant Writer Academy case study, guest host D Abshire sits down with Cindy Homan, founder of Growing the Good, who transitioned from a longtime nonprofit marketing leadership career into grant writing consulting. With only limited grant writing experience but decades of expertise in storytelling, fundraising communications, and nonprofit strategy, Cindy discovered how those skills translated into a successful grant writing business.

Since joining the Academy, Cindy has built a thriving side business that generated $87,400 in revenue while she was still employed full-time—giving her the confidence to leave her nonprofit marketing director position and pursue her business full-time.

In this episode, Cindy shares how the Academy's Master Grant Application approach helped her position herself as a strategic partner, how she developed confidence in pricing her services, and why community support was instrumental in accelerating her success. If you're wondering whether your nonprofit experience can translate into a profitable grant writing business, this conversation is packed with practical insights and encouragement.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Cindy Homan is the founder of Growing the Good, a grant writing and nonprofit consulting business serving mission-driven organizations. After spending her entire career in nonprofit marketing, communications, fundraising, and storytelling, Cindy recognized that her experience in impact communications and strategic messaging positioned her perfectly for grant writing consulting.

Drawing on decades of nonprofit leadership experience, Cindy helps organizations secure funding through compelling grant proposals and strategic funding approaches. She is passionate about simplifying nonprofit growth strategies and helping organizations tell their stories in ways that attract funding and create meaningful impact.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn: Cindy Homan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-hohman/

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

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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.