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.
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 webinar replay, 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.
Purchase Includes:
✅ Recording with timestamped chapters and a 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.
Panelists and 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, DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services
“To apply community voice, you have to understand where that’s coming from. Our work is very relational.” Angela Silva, Community Partnerships Network
“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, The Ostara Group
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 and featured insights from this episode:
“The first part is to adopt our vision, our company vision, believe it, and do it.”
Valerie A. Grant, GPC – Grant Consulting Services, LLC
“You’re working at the intersection of money and deadlines, two very stressful things.”
Erin Hielkema – The Grant Plant, Inc.
“Probably 80% of grant writing is not about the actual writing. It’s all of the other pieces.”
Dawn Grenier – Dawn Grenier Consulting
Watch Episode 2
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 webinar replay, 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:
Dawn Grenier, Dawn Grenier Consulting
Erin Hielkama, The Grant Plant
Valerie Grant, GPC, Grant Consulting Services
Purchase Includes:
✅ Recording with timestamped chapters and a transcript
✅ List of shared resources from the panelists
Price: $25 for the Recorded Episode or $247 for the entire series of past recordings and upcoming webinars through 2026 - 16 episodes valued at $400.
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.
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 Claire Honsinger of Good Horse Grants, Patricia Beaumont of Fitly Written, LLC, and Laura Gabel of Next Step Solutions.
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.
Quotes from the Episode:
“I wanted the flexibility to rise to…life and meet life where it was meeting me, and working for someone else wasn’t giving me that.” – Claire Honsinger
“Know yourself. Ask, what energizes me? What do I love to write about and raise money for? Even if there is a higher-paying client, I look for the work that resonates with me and aligns with my natural strengths. That clarity has helped me know when to say yes and when to say no.” — Patricia Beaumont.
“My biggest piece of advice is to have a signed contract. It is worth every penny, not only financially but also for your peace of mind. The stress of trying to resolve an issue without a solid agreement takes a real toll on your time and mental capacity. Work with an attorney rather than trying to pull a contract from the internet. Just like we are experts at what we do, attorneys are experts at asking the right questions and shaping the right language. Having that protection in place allows you to move forward with confidence.” – Laura Gabel
Purchase Includes:
✅ Recording with timestamped chapters and a transcript
✅ List of shared resources from the panelists
Price: $25 for the recorded webinar or $247 for all past recorded webinars plus the entire upcoming series through 2026 - a total of 16 episodes valued at $400.
Panelists and 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, Independent Grant Consultant
“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, Beaumont Consulting
“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, Laura Gabel Writing & Strategy
Watch Episode 3
Episode 4: Building a Grant Writing Team
In this episode, experienced grant writing business owners talk openly about how they build and support their teams, how they evaluate candidates, and what makes someone successful once they are hired. Rather than focusing only on writing ability, the panel explores the skills that matter most in real world grant writing roles, including communication, adaptability, reliability, and values alignment.
You will hear how different grant writing firms structure their teams, what hiring processes often look like behind the scenes, and why cover letters, interviews, and day to day communication can matter as much as technical expertise. The speakers also discuss what onboarding and support realistically look like, the tools and systems grant writers are expected to use, and how roles can evolve over time inside a firm.
For job seekers, this episode demystifies the hiring process and offers practical insight into how to position yourself as a strong, long term fit. It is especially helpful if you are early in your career, transitioning into grant writing, or trying to understand how to move from freelance or solo work into a team based role.
Episode 4
Recorded January 2026
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 recorded 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:
✅ 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
panelists and Featured Insights from this Episode
“At a certain point, it’s no longer about whether someone can write a strong proposal. Most people we interview can. What we’re really paying attention to is how someone thinks through a problem, how they communicate when something changes, and whether they can hold multiple priorities without getting overwhelmed. Those qualities end up mattering far more over time than any single technical skill.” - Melissa Reams, MPH, GPC, Upstream Consulting
“One of the things we’ve learned over time is that hiring isn’t just about filling a role. It’s about being honest with ourselves about what we can actually support. If we bring someone on before we have the systems, the clarity, or the time to mentor them well, it doesn’t serve anyone, including the person we just hired.” Betty Barnard, MNPO, GPC, Resurgens Impact
“Because our work fluctuates so much, I’ve had to let go of the idea that there’s one perfect team structure. Sometimes I need someone highly experienced who can step in immediately, and other times I’m excited to work with someone earlier in their career who wants to learn. What matters most to me is clarity, communication, and a shared commitment to the work. If those things are there, the rest can be built.” - Ronessa Strickland-Roberts, Volcano Consulting
Watch Episode 4
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.
Episode 5
Recorded on Thursday, January 8th
Description:
Ever wondered what it’s really like to run a grant writing business or to hire one effectively? Inside Grant Writing Businesses is a candid, behind-the-scenes webinar presented by 501 Commons and Spark the Fire Grant Writing Classes LLC, designed for grant professionals and nonprofit leaders alike.
Join Allison Jones, M.Ed., GPC, and a panel of experienced grant writing business owners for an honest conversation about how grant writing firms are built, how they operate, and how they work with nonprofit clients. This session goes beyond theory to explore the real decisions behind pricing, client selection, capacity, workflow, and long-term sustainability.
Whether you are a freelance grant writer considering growth, a consultant running a firm, or a nonprofit leader exploring whether to hire a grant writing firm, you will walk away with practical insights and clarity.
Featured Panelists:
Stephanie Schweitzer Dixon, M.S., SSD Consulting
Amy Lottes, GPC, Amalfi Consulting
Jennifer Smith, Grant Knowledge Consulting LLC
You’ll Learn
How grant writing businesses are structured and scaled
How firms price services and manage scope and capacity
What nonprofits should expect when working with a grant writing firm
How client relationships are built and sustained over time
How grant professionals balance impact, workload, and sustainability
Who It’s For
Freelance and consulting grant writers
Grant professionals considering building or joining a firm
Nonprofit leaders interested in hiring a grant writing firm
Anyone curious about the business side of grant writing
Registration Includes
✅ Replay with timestamped chapters and full transcript
✅ Curated resources shared by the panelists
Price:
$25 per episode
$247 for the full series (includes 2025 recordings and all 2026 sessions)
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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