Inside Grant Writing Businesses
Welcome to the home of the Inside Grant Writing Series, a collection of in-depth conversations with grant writing firm owners, consultants, and industry leaders from across the country. Each session offers practical insight into the business of grant writing — from hiring and collaboration to pricing, client relationships, workflow design, and building a sustainable career you love.
This page provides an overview of the topics, speakers, and key takeaways from each episode so you can explore the series and see whether it’s the right fit for you.
Full video recordings are available exclusively to purchasers of the series. If you already have access, use your password to unlock the videos below. If not, you can purchase the series to gain immediate access to all episodes.
Episode One: Building Strong Grant Writing Teams
In the first episode of the Inside Grant Writing Series, we sat down with three leaders who run successful grant writing firms to explore what they look for when hiring, collaborating, and building healthy, sustainable teams.
This episode sets the tone for the full series by offering an honest, practical look at how top firms cultivate collaboration, support new writers, and elevate client relationships.
Panelists:
• Diane Leonard, DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services
• Angela Silva, Community Partnerships Network
• Kyle Hamrast, The Ostara Group
Featured insights from this episode:
“What we really want is that innate desire to be in a team environment, not to be a silo.” - Diane Leonard
“To apply community voice, you have to understand where that’s coming from. Our work is very relational.” - Angela Silva
“Grant writing is probably two-thirds or three-fourths, and the other part is adaptability, managing expectations, and managing relationships with the client.” - Kyle Hamrast
Watch Episode One
Episode Two: What Grant Writing Firms Really Look For
In Episode Two of the Inside Grant Writing Series, we go behind the scenes with three leaders who have built very different, but equally successful, grant consulting businesses. Together, they unpack what firms actually look for in candidates, how they structure day-to-day work, pathways to gain experience, and the pros and cons of joining a firm versus going solo.
This conversation is especially helpful if you’re wondering how to become “hire-ready” for firms, how firms think about values and fit, and what it really feels like to build a sustainable career inside a grant writing business.
Panelists:
Valerie A. Grant, GPC – Grant Consulting Services, LLC
Erin Hielkema – The Grant Plant, Inc.
Dawn Grenier – Dawn Grenier Consulting
Featured insights from this episode:
“The first part is to adopt our vision, our company vision, believe it, and do it.” - Valerie A. Grant
“You’re working at the intersection of money and deadlines, two very stressful things.” - Erin Hielkema
“Probably 80% of grant writing is not about the actual writing. It’s all of the other pieces.” - Dawn Grenier
Watch Episode 2
Episode Three: Building a Business That Supports Your Life and Your Values
Episode Three of the Inside Grant Writing Series dives into the heart of what it truly means to build a grant writing business with clarity, intention, and boundaries. This conversation features three seasoned consultants who have carved out careers rooted in purpose, values, and long-term sustainability.
This episode is especially powerful for anyone ready to design a grant writing business that honors both their talent and their life — with strong boundaries, clear pricing, meaningful client relationships, and the confidence that comes from treating your work as the professional service it is.
Panelists:
Claire Honsinger – Independent Grant Consultant
Patricia Beaumont – Founder, Beaumont Consulting
Laura Gabel – Founder, Laura Gabel Writing & Strategy
Featured insights from this episode:
“I love seeing what happens in a nonprofit when they receive the support they need, even before the grant is submitted. To me, that’s the goal. Yes, we hope the grant gets funded. But even if it does not, I want them to feel that the process itself was meaningful and worthwhile.” – Claire Honsinger
“Hourly work can feel like everyone is watching the clock. With retainers or project packages, the focus shifts to defined deliverables. Value drives pricing, not the clock.” – Patricia Beaumont
“My biggest piece of advice is to have a signed contract. It is worth every penny, not just financially but for your peace of mind. Having that protection in place allows you to move forward with confidence.” – Laura Gabel
Watch Episode 3
Episode 4: Coming December 4th, 2025
Thursday, December 4 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. Central | Live on Zoom
Description:
Ever wondered what it’s really like to run a grant writing business? Join Spark the Fire founder Allison Jones, M.Ed., GPC, and a panel of successful independent grant writers for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about how to build and sustain a thriving business as a grant professional.
In this one-hour live webinar, you’ll hear what grant writing firms look for in hiring new grant writers, what it’s like to work with a team, whether you can keep your own clients on the side, and soft and hard skills for success.
Featured Panelists include:
Betty Barnard, MNPO, GPC of Resurgens Impact
Melissa Reams, MPH, GPC of Upstream Consulting
Ronessa Strickland-Roberts of Volcano Consulting, LLC
Who It’s For:
Aspiring and current freelance grant writers, consultants, and anyone curious about the business side of grant writing.
Registration Includes:
✅ Access to the live session
✅ Replay with timestamped chapters and transcript
✅ List of shared resources from the panelists
Price: $25 for the Episode or $247 for the entire series through 2026
Episode 5: Coming January 6th, 2026
Thursday, January 8th | 10:00–11:00 a.m. Central | Live on Zoom
Description:
Ever wondered what it’s really like to run a grant writing business? Join Spark the Fire founder Allison Jones, M.Ed., GPC, and a panel of successful independent grant writers for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about how to build and sustain a thriving business as a grant professional.
In this one-hour live webinar, you’ll hear how solopreneurs and small business owners manage clients, set pricing, balance workloads, and stay inspired in their work. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your freelance business to the next level, you’ll walk away with actionable insights and encouragement from people who’ve done it. This month’s webinar features:
Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon, M.S. of SSD Consulting
Amy Lottes, GPC of Amalfi Consulting
Jennifer Smith, Grant Knowledge Consulting LLC
You’ll Learn:
How experienced grant writers built their businesses from the ground up
Tips for pricing, client communication, and managing your time
What to expect when transitioning from employee to business owner
How to find purpose and sustainability as an independent professional
Who It’s For:
Aspiring and current freelance grant writers, consultants, and anyone curious about the business side of grant writing.
Registration Includes:
✅ Access to the live session
✅ Replay with timestamped chapters and transcript
✅ List of shared resources from the panelists
Price: $25 for the Episode or $247 for the entire series through 2026 - 16 episodes valued at $400.
Ready to go deeper? Enroll in our Certificate in Grant Writing Course. Winter Quarter 2026 starts January 6th and meets on Tuesdays for eight weeks.
We also offer self-paced courses, so you can start anytime and finish on your own schedule. Click the button below to learn more.
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Contact Info:
Allison Jones, CEO & Founder
Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes
allison@sparkthefiregrantwriting.com
(206) 734-6521
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