On this episode of Grant Writing & Funding, our guest Meredith Noble from Learn Grant Writing shares an inspiring journey from corporate grant writing to launching a startup idea. We learn about the challenges she faced when realizing the idea wasn’t solving a real problem that people were willing to pay for. 

Meredith emphasizes the importance of grounding ideas in addressing real problems, and she shares the lifestyle freedom she gained from entrepreneurship despite the financial difficulties. To supplement her income, Meredith started grant writing consulting and took on various projects, including returning to her family’s cattle ranch during Calving season. 

She stresses the significance of surrounding oneself with successful people and shares a personal experience of seeking coaching and mentorship from a successful female entrepreneur. The episode dives into the topic of pricing in freelance grant writing business and the importance of mindset in overcoming resistances and blocks. 

Meredith also explores the three types of work days: management days, mission days, and money days, and the need for self-care to maintain mental clarity and creativity. 

We also learn about the value of attending conferences, creating spaciousness in our lives for creativity to flow, and the important role of understanding and valuing the services we offer to clients. 

Meredith debunks misconceptions about nonprofits, discusses the impact of grants on nonprofit missions, and shares her organic networking framework to build relationships and opportunities. 

Throughout the episode, Meredith highlights the power of simplicity, focusing on principles rather than chasing trends. She also shares her experience of building a supportive community within her company and the positive impact it has on grant writers. 

We also have a discussion on the scarcity mindset ingrained in the nonprofit industry and the shift towards cultivating a positive and expansive mindset. Join us on this episode of Grant Writing & Funding as we explore the world of grant writing, entrepreneurship, and the drive for change in the nonprofit sector.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Lifestyle freedom gained from entrepreneurship
• Supplementing income through grant writing consulting
• Different types of work days: management days, mission days, and money days
• The value of attending conferences for fresh perspectives
• The value of understanding the worth one brings to clients
• Misconceptions about nonprofit budget constraints and financial needs
• The value of grants in allowing nonprofits to focus on mission instead of fundraising
• The organic networking framework for building relationships with organizations
• Funding strategy as a way to build trust and rapport with organizations
• Keeping things simple and focusing on principles rather than chasing trends
• Celebrating wins as a cultural practice within the company
• Building a supportive community of grant writers
• Criticizing the practice of hourly rates in the industry
• Cultivating a positive and expansive mindset in the nonprofit sector
• Shifting away from a scarcity mindset in nonprofits

About Meredith Noble

Meredith Noble helps the entrecurious build lifestyle freedom by taking imperfect action. She is the co-founder of Learn Grant Writing, an online membership for those building their careers in grant writing. Her book, How to Write a Grant: Become a Grant Writing Unicorn, is a bestseller for nonprofit fundraising and grants. Her expertise has been featured in NASDAQ, Forbes, Fast Company, Authority Magazine, and other top publications. She has secured over $42 million in grant funding, and her students have secured over $550 million – a number that grows daily.  If Meredith’s not biking or skiing in Alaska, she can be found curled around a steaming cup of green-tea and a good book. 

Quotables:

•  “Surrounding yourself with successful people can have a profound impact on your own success.”
•  “Grounding your ideas in a problem that people are willing to pay for is key to creating meaningful solutions.”
• “Creating spaciousness in our lives allows for creativity to flow.”
• “Your network determines your net worth.”
• “The shift away from a scarcity mindset in the nonprofit sector is a big deal, but it is still an uphill battle.”

Connect with Meredith:

• Learn Grant Writing Website
• Learn Grant Writing YouTube
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Nonprofit Consulting Conference
• Freelance Grant Writing Academy

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