Hey friends — it’s Holly Rustick here, and today I want to talk about something we don’t talk about enough in the nonprofit world: money mindset.

Because let’s be honest — a lot of us grew up believing that meaningful work and financial stability couldn’t exist in the same sentence.

I grew up in poverty. My mom worked long hours as a teacher and barely made ends meet. We had food donated by nuns. And for years, I thought that’s what “doing good” looked like — sacrificing yourself for the cause.

When I started my freelance business, I carried that guilt with me.
It showed up in how I priced my services, how I negotiated contracts, and how I viewed my own value.

It wasn’t until I started applying my own Value-Based Pricing method that I realized — my work created impact and income. I wasn’t just writing grants. I was helping nonprofits get funding, grow their reach, and serve their missions sustainably.

And that has real value.

When Jill, one of my students, switched to value-based pricing, she tripled her income while working fewer hours.

Deb, who works with performing arts nonprofits, did the same — and finally had time to pursue her own creative work again. 

And Tiffany, after years in a toxic job, gained the confidence to leave and build a business rooted in her purpose.

They all did one key thing: they stopped charging for time and started charging for transformation.

Here’s your takeaway today:
If you’re stuck in a scarcity mindset — start by reframing your worth.

Ask yourself:

• What results do I help create?
  
• How much time, stress, or money do I save my clients?
  
• And what’s that worth in real terms?

When you start thinking this way, you don’t just raise your rates — you raise your standards.

And here’s the beautiful part: when we model that kind of confidence, we give other women permission to do the same.

Links Mentioned

Freelance Grant Writer Academy

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