Shows
Grant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsE7. How to Build a Grant Writing Agency: From Freelance Grant Writer to CEO with a Team with Isatou Bittaye-JobeIn this episode of Grant CEO, we’re diving into the People part of a grant writing business. Eighteen months into her business, Isatou wasn’t struggling with how to get grant-writing clients. She was struggling with delegation, boundaries, pricing, and trusting her team with work that carries her name.Meet our guest, Isatou Bittaye-Jobe, founder of Amikha Consulting. In this conversation, she shares what shifted when she stopped operating like a freelance grant writer and started building a true grant writing agency.If you're earning consistent revenue but still stuck in the weeds of deli...
2026-03-0226 minGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsE6. Grant Writer Pricing: They’re Not Paying for Hours. They’re Paying for THIS!Are you still charging hourly in your grant writing business? In today’s AI-powered world, that pricing model could be the very thing limiting your revenue, growth, and ability to scale.As AI speeds up research, drafting, prospecting, and even SMART goal development, charging by the hour penalizes you for being efficient. The faster and more skilled you become, the less you make. That’s not a scalable grant writer business model.In this episode of Grant CEO, we’re diving deep into grant writer pricing and why hourly rates no longer serve experienced grant profes...
2026-02-2316 minGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsE5. Mission Isn’t Enough: How Grant CEOs Evaluate Client Renewals with Clarity and ConfidenceWhen you care deeply about a nonprofit’s mission, it can feel wrong to question whether you should keep working with them. But mission alignment alone does not make a sustainable grant writing business.In this episode of Grant CEO, I’m breaking down how experienced grant writers can evaluate client renewals like a CEO, not from guilt or emotion, but from clarity, data, and business logic. This episode focuses on Pull - how the right clients are attracted, retained, and released as your business evolves.You’ll learn how to step out of reac...
2026-02-1611 minGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsE4. $25 an Hour? How Pull and Pricing Help Build a Scalable Grant Writing Business with Victoria LamarJust two years ago, Victoria Lamar didn’t even consider herself a grant writer. Today, she leads a team of seven, supports 12 charter schools, and has recently secured a nearly $1 million federal grant for one of her clients.In this episode of Grant CEO, we dive deep into two of the most misunderstood pillars of scaling a grant writing business: Pull and Pricing.Victoria shares how she moved away from being advised to charge $25–$30 an hour, clarified her niche, and positioned herself so clients now come to her—ready to pay retainers, respect her pro...
2026-02-0927 minGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsE3. Grant Writer: When Positioning Is Clear, Competition DisappearsIf you have ever thought that there are too many grant writers for you to be successful, this episode of Grant CEO will shift how you see (and do) business.Today, I’m unpacking a concept that stood out to one of my coaching clients: “You can’t compare what doesn’t compete.”I break down why comparison is a sign of unclear Positioning, and how owning your unique expertise allows you to stop competing and start leading. Using the idea of fingerprint positioning, I explain how your background, niche, and experience become assets when claimed wi...
2026-02-0219 minNew Podcasts - trailers for new and noteworthy showsGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOs Business
Official website: https://grantceopodcast.buzzsprout.com
Subscribe in all apps: https://podnews.net/podcast/izna2
Grant CEO is the podcast for experienced grant-writers and grant consultants who have mastered their craft but are now struggling to run a grant-writing business that feels true to their values, goals, and dreams. Each week, host DeaRonda Harrison ($45M+ in grant awards) helps listeners ditch their freelance bad habits and step fully into the CEO seat of their grant writing business.
© 2026 Grant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOs
2026-01-2600 minGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsE2. You’re Not “Just” a Grant Writer: The Power Shift Every Grant CEO Must Make –with Daphney JeanWhat happens when a skilled grant writer finally owns her expertise? In this episode of Grant CEO, I sit down with Daphney Jean, founder of SMJ Consulting, to talk about what it really looks like to step into your power as a grant writing business owner. After years of underestimating her impact and saying things like “I only got them $500K,” Daphney shifted how she positioned her expertise and services. The result? Higher retainers, stronger renewals, and better-aligned clients.You’ll hear how Power and Positioning allowed her to stop wasting so much time onb...
2026-01-2119 minGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsGrant Writer: Is This You?Let me guess, when you dreamed about starting your own grant-writing business, you did not dream about working long hours, answering emails late at night, or saying yes to every little thing that client asks you. Am I right?Grant CEO is the podcast for experienced grant-writers and grant consultants who have mastered their craft (and even reached the big 10K months) but are now struggling to run a grant-writing business that feels true to their values, goals, and dreams. I’m DeaRonda Harrison, founder of June First Firm and creator of the You Are the...
2026-01-2100 minGrant CEO: Where Experienced Grant Writers Become CEOsE1. The 5 Pillars to Scale Your Grant Writing BusinessWelcome to Grant CEO, the podcast for experienced grant writers earning consistent income but tired of doing everything themselves. If you’re negotiating your rates, customizing pricing for every client, sending proposals that get ghosted, or working more hours than you did in-house, you’re in the right place.In this first episode, I introduce the five pillars of the Grant CEO framework—power, positioning, pull, pricing, and people—and how they work together to help you scale a sustainable grant writing business. You’ll learn how to move from overworked freelance grant writer to confident G...
2026-01-2108 min
Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric SolutionsGrant Writing: Getting to YES! with DeaRonda HarrisonSend a textIf you’re tired of chasing dead-end applications or hearing “we don’t accept unsolicited proposals,” this episode is for you. We dig into how to build a smarter pipeline by prioritizing funders that welcome new grantees. Then we tackle the myth of “hard-to-fund” programs (arts, advocacy, civic education, etc.) and show you how reframing your work to match donor priorities can unlock dollars without changing your programming. On this week’s episode of The Small Nonprofit Podcast, grant expert DeaRonda Harrison shares practical ways small and mid-sized nonprofits can sharpen their prospecting and...
2025-11-0419 min
Agents of NonprofitHow to Win Grants with Storytelling and Strategy with DeaRonda HarrisonIn this episode of Agents of Nonprofit, I interview experienced grant writer DeaRonda Harrison about the evolving landscape of grant writing. From her early volunteer days to running a professional grant writing practice, DeaRonda shares insights on how nonprofits can stand out in an increasingly competitive funding world. She breaks down the key elements of being "grant ready," the importance of strategic storytelling, the ethical use of compensation models, and how artificial intelligence is reshaping the field. This episode is packed with actionable advice and forward-looking wisdom.Topics We Cover:The story behind...
2025-06-2333 min
Nonprofit411 PodcastMastering the Grant Writing Process with DeaRonda Harrison | Nonprofit411 PodcastIn this episode of the Nonprofit411 Podcast, Sarah Barton is joined by DeaRonda Harrison, founder and president of June 1st Firm. DeaRonda shares her journey from working in higher education fundraising to launching her own consultancy focused on providing grant writing services for nonprofits. She explains how her expertise in federal grants, including HRSA, DOJ, and DOE, helps nonprofits secure funding to maximize their impact.
DeaRonda also shares her insights on the challenges nonprofits face when it comes to grants, from building partnerships to navigating the complexities of federal applications. She emphasizes the importance of h...
2025-05-0529 min
Missions to MovementsNavigating the Federal Grant Freeze: What To Know & How To Adapt with DeaRonda HarrisonLast week’s federal grant freeze sent shockwaves through the nonprofit sector, and you may be wondering, what is the impact as it relates to funding and future sustainability? DeaRonda Harrison, CEO of June First Firm, is here to break down what this means for grant-funded nonprofits. DeaRhonda shares her expertise on federal and private grants, explaining the ripple effects of the freeze, the confusion surrounding the government’s response, and how organizations can adapt in times of funding uncertainty.She also shares a crucial grant writi...
2025-02-0527 min
Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio711: Grants Readiness & Success – Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio
This Week:
Grants Readiness & Success
DeaRonda Harrison helps you get ready to accept grants and shares strategies for successful grants research, writing and outcomes. Also, how to win grants quickly (it shouldn’t take years!); how to turn a one-time grant into multiyear funding; and her recommendations for grant research platforms. DeaRonda is the president of June First Firm.
There’s more at tonymartignetti.com
2024-10-061h 03
Grant Writing & FundingEp. 350: How Niching Down with Federal Housing Grants Helped DeaRonda Scale her Grant Writing AgencyDeaRonda Harrison is the founder and President of June First Firm, a grant writing firm specializing in assisting nonprofits under new leadership transform their organization.
In this episode, DeaRonda Harrison explains how to learn about Federal contract grants, what you need to do to become a profesional grant writer, and how to increase your grant writing clients.
She also talks about how to create grant writing retainers with clients, the boundaries grant writers need with their retainer clients, and the benefits of having a virtual assistant.
Book Your Sales Call Today to Get a Seat Inside the Grant Professional Mentorship...
2024-08-0645 min
Grant Writing & FundingEp. 313: Should Grant Professionals Get Paid to Speak?Mandy Pearce is the Founder of Funding for Good where she equips organizations with the skills and tools they need to become successful and sustainable.
Mandy explains when you should start charging for speaking arrangements, the problems with doing a presentation for free, and how to maximize the opportunities you have when teaching a webinar.
She also talks about the additional costs that are involved with giving workshops, how often you need to network with someone before they do business with you, and the 2024 Nonprofit Consulting Conference.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
✨Nonprofit Consulting Conference 2024
✨Freelance Grant Writer Academy
✨How to Ide...
2024-03-0539 min
The Business Ownership PodcastHow to Get a Business Grant - DeaRonda HarrisonLooking for ways to fund your business? In this episode of The Business Ownership Podcast I interviewed DeaRonda Harrison.She is the founder and President of June First Firm, a full-service grant writing firm dedicated to serving nonprofit organizations with comprehensive range of services, including grant research, writing, reporting, and evaluation. She specializes in federal funding sources winning $35M in grant awards in various sectors to include K-12 education, workforce development, housing, and healthcare. This episode doesn't just offer strategies; it also provides a wealth of resources. From federal to private grants, DeaRonda guides you t...
2024-02-0924 min
Grant Writing & FundingNew Grant Funding Opportunities for Small and Emerging Nonprofits with DeaRonda HarrisonThis episode, DeaRonda Harrison explains how nonprofits can get funding, build relationships, and grow their business. DeaRonda Harrison is a grant writing specialist who works with nonprofits to help them win grants. DeaRonda joins us to discuss the funding options for small nonprofits, how nonprofits can build relationships with funding boards, and get past grant funding gatekeepers. She also talks about the business aspect of nonprofits, how to put together a grant plan, and what to do if your grant applications are unsuccessful. What you’ll learn in this episode:New an...
2023-11-1433 min
Sprout Nonprofit | the podcast for small shop nonprofits64 | Peek inside the SproutED community — Grant Writing Q+A with DeaRonda HarrisonPeeling back the curtain on one of the SproutED Community Bonus calls. In this episode, DeaRonda Harrison of June First Firm chats with SproutED community members and answers all their grant writing questions. Bonus calls take place monthly inside the SproutED community and members get exclusive access to industry experts on some of the biggest issues facing EDs and nonprofits. Join the SproutED waitlist. Get to know DeaRonda Harrison. ☕️ Find me on social media Instagram LinkedIn ⚙️ My favorite tech tools ConvertKit (PS. nonpr...
2023-09-281h 03
Fundraising HayDayKnow Your WorthWhether you work as a grant professional employed by an organization or as a grant consultant, it is important to understand the skills, knowledge, and expertise you bring to the table. If you do not understand your own value, no one else will. We spoke with DeaRonda Harrison, Founder and President of June First Firm, about what we wish we had known starting out in this profession, career building, responding to those who say your prices are too high, and so much more.
2023-08-3148 min
Confessions with Jess and CindyPremium products with DeaRonda Harrison“If you have great structure and systems in place and your pricing is right, you can do this while you're at your nine to five. The goal is to replace your income, not feel burned out, and not do all those things”DeaRonda Harrison is a grant writing expert and coach, helping nonprofits train up their grant writers and start or scale their own consulting businesses. She is the founder of June 1 Firm, providing high quality services and achieving impressive ROI for her clients.Highlights:Strategy on e...
2023-02-0951 min
Small Nonprofit: Fundraising Tips, Leadership Strategies, and Community-Centric Solutionsget those grants with DeaRonda HarrisonSend a text"Grant writing is one of those things that small organizations love and hate. I would say the idea of grant funding, that is, funding programs that feels like large amounts of money coming in and one ask is really a dream for so many small organizations, but they struggle with how to do it.” — DeaRonda Harrisonget those grants with DeaRonda HarrisonAre you still hesitant to hire a grant writer for your organization? Maybe you’ve had great success with grants and the portfo...
2022-11-1429 min
We Are For Good Podcast - The Podcast for Nonprofits247. The Inside Scoop on Grant Writing - DeaRonda HarrisonMeet DeaRonda. This grant writer has been in the biz a long time, and she's bringing the secret sauce and some of her best grant writing tips to this chat. We're talking through research, starting points, Grantwriting 101, and why grants should always be a team sport. 🚨And great news: If you're a minority-led organization, now is a great time to take advantage of existing grant funds!💰EPISODE HIGHLIGHTSDeaRonda’s story and journey to where she is today (2:00)The state of grant writing today (3:45)Where to start: the research phase of grant writing (5:45)DeaRonda’s advice a...
2022-03-2328 min