In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Courtney Oliphant, CEO and founder of Coastal Nonprofit Consulting. Courtney shares her journey from working at a performing arts small nonprofit to starting her own consulting business. She discusses how she added services (and hired her husband full-time and her mom) to help performing arts nonprofits and organizations impacted by 2025 grant changes, the importance of being inside the Grant Professional Mentorship when hiring help, and how her business has evolved to be a grant and funding agency. 

Takeaways:

• Courtney’s journey began in the nonprofit sector, leading her to grant writing.
• She transitioned to consulting to create more flexibility in her life.
• The first year of business was focused on reaching $100K in revenue.
• Hiring contractors was essential to manage workload and prevent burnout.
• Joining the Grant Professional Mentorship program helped her overcome mental blocks and set appropriate rates.
• The business has expanded to include comprehensive fundraising plans.
• Collaboration among nonprofits is becoming increasingly important for funding.
• Foundations are pooling resources to support organizations facing funding challenges.
• Building deeper relationships with existing donors is key to increasing donations.
• The mentorship program provided valuable resources and community support for growth.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Courtney Oliphant and Her Journey

02:50 – Transitioning to Consulting and Business Growth

05:34 – Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change

08:31 – Strategic Growth and Mentorship Impact

11:17 – Expanding Services and Family Business Dynamics

14:07 – Adapting to Market Changes and Client Needs

15:46 – Collaborative Approaches in Grant Making

18:51 – Individual Giving Trends and Strategies

About Courtney Oliphant

Courtney Oliphant, GPC (CliftonStrengths: Strategic, Futuristic, Achiever, Relator, Self-Assurance) is a nonprofit grant strategist and founder of Coastal Nonprofit Consulting. With over 12 years of experience in grant writing and management, she has helped mission-driven organizations secure more than $8 million in funding—focusing on under-resourced communities and highly aligned, strategic growth.

Courtney began her career in nonprofit bookkeeping and niched into grants after spending seven years as a Managing Director, where she oversaw fundraising, programming, and operations. She previously served as a coach for The Prep Institute, supporting 15 grassroots, BIPOC- and minority-led nonprofits in raising over $1.5 million in FY25 through institutional fundraising strategy and grant development.

She serves as the Treasurer of the Board for the Grant Professionals Association San Diego County Chapter and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Growth Incubator for Social Solutions (GISS). Courtney holds certifications in nonprofit finance, grant writing with AI, nonprofit management, and more.Storytelling runs through all of Courtney’s work—from grant strategy to creative expression. Outside of client work, she co-produces and co-writes the Lagralane Spirits podcast, creates social justice-themed short films, and writes fantasy and speculative YA fiction. She lives in San Diego with her partner, two young kids, and three very sandy, dog-beach-loving dogs.

Connect with Courtney Oliphant

• Website

Links Mentioned

Grant Professional Mentorship

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