From 9-5 to Subcontracting to $93,000 as a Freelance Grant Writer episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 17, 2025 · 31 MIN

From 9-5 to Subcontracting to $93,000 as a Freelance Grant Writer

from Grant Writing & Funding · host Holly Rustick

What does it really look like to transition from a 9–5 job into a thriving freelance grant writing business?In this episode, Daphney Jean shares her journey from working full-time to subcontracting as a grant writer—and ultimately stepping into full-time freelance.We dive into how she navigated that transition, the lessons she learned along the way, and what it took to build a sustainable business. After two years of freelancing, Daphney joined the Freelance Grant Writer Academy—and within one year, she increased her revenue to $93,000.This conversation highlights the power of refining your systems, building confidence in your pricing, and surrounding yourself with the right support to grow your business.If you’re thinking about making the leap—or want to scale your current freelance grant writing business—this episode will show you what’s possible.ABOUT OUR GUESTDaphney Jean is a freelance grant writer and consultant who has successfully built a full-time business helping nonprofits secure funding. After transitioning from a traditional 9–5 role into subcontracting and then full-time freelancing, she has grown her business to generate over $93,000 in annual revenue.Daphney is passionate about helping nonprofits access funding while also building a flexible and sustainable career for herself as a grant professional.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode is sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS)!Break up with your spreadsheet and never miss a deadline again. GEMS is designed specifically for grant writers and nonprofit professionals to streamline workflows, track deadlines, and manage grants with ease.Book your FREE demo now: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems———————————————————————————

What does it really look like to transition from a 9–5 job into a thriving freelance grant writing business?In this episode, Daphney Jean shares her journey from working full-time to subcontracting as a grant writer—and ultimately stepping into full-time freelance.We dive into how she navigated that transition, the lessons she learned along the way, and what it took to build a sustainable business. After two years of freelancing, Daphney joined the Freelance Grant Writer Academy—and within one year, she increased her revenue to $93,000.This conversation highlights the power of refining your systems, building confidence in your pricing, and surrounding yourself with the right support to grow your business.If you’re thinking about making the leap—or want to scale your current freelance grant writing business—this episode will show you what’s possible.ABOUT OUR GUESTDaphney Jean is a freelance grant writer and consultant who has successfully built a full-time business helping nonprofits secure funding. After transitioning from a traditional 9–5 role into subcontracting and then full-time freelancing, she has grown her business to generate over $93,000 in annual revenue.Daphney is passionate about helping nonprofits access funding while also building a flexible and sustainable career for herself as a grant professional.OTHER RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, please? If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————This podcast episode is sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS)!Break up with your spreadsheet and never miss a deadline again. GEMS is designed specifically for grant writers and nonprofit professionals to streamline workflows, track deadlines, and manage grants with ease.Book your FREE demo now: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems———————————————————————————

NOW PLAYING

From 9-5 to Subcontracting to $93,000 as a Freelance Grant Writer

0:00 31:58

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

The Ultraspeaking Podcast Tristan de Montebello, Michael Gendler The Ultraspeaking Podcast explores modern-day solutions to greater confidence, skill, and ease when speaking at work. Each episode features the founders, Tristan and Michael, as they detail unconventional strategies to thrive under pressure and speak with less preparation. Working on hand-gestures and eye contact is OUTDATED advice. Writing a script or creating a structure is a TRAP.It’s time for a better way. Join the Ultraspeaking movement and you’ll never look back. WW2 - the Key Questions, answered by Laurence Rees. Laurence Rees A former Head of BBC TV History programmes, Laurence has specialized in writing books and making television documentaries about World War Two, the Nazis and Stalinism for thirty years. He won a BAFTA and a Peabody for his TV series 'The Nazis: A Warning from History' and a British Book Award for his book on Auschwitz, which is also the world's best selling book on this notorious camp. His book 'the Holocaust: A New History' was described by the Times as 'exemplary' and by the Daily Telegraph as 'the best single volume account of the atrocity ever written'. Educated at Oxford University, for several years he was a visiting senior fellow at the London School of Economics, London University. He holds honorary doctorates from the University of Sheffield and the Open University. Professor Robert Service, of Oxford University, described Rees as 'one of the world's experts on the Second World War'. Sir Max Hastings wrote in the Sunday Times, in a review of Laurence Rees' 'World War Two: Behi Hot Copy Kate Toon & Belinda Weaver The Hot Copy podcast is a collaboration between seasoned copywriters Belinda Weaver and Kate Toon.Tune in for copywriting tips, shortcuts, writing resources, interviews and laughs. All focused on helping you become a better copywriter. The Writers' Show Geoff Hughes A podcast about writing, featuring interviews with authors and songwriters at all levels of success.Inspiring and successful authors reveal the secrets about writing, creativity and the business of independent publishing and songwriting.Featuring interviews with successful authors and songwriters excited to share the journey from idea to published book and song.Host Geoff Hughes is the founder of Madhouse Media PublishingMore info on the Writers Show Website

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Grant Writing & Funding?

This episode is 31 minutes long.

When was this Grant Writing & Funding episode published?

This episode was published on January 17, 2025.

What is this episode about?

What does it really look like to transition from a 9–5 job into a thriving freelance grant writing business?In this episode, Daphney Jean shares her journey from working full-time to subcontracting as a grant writer—and ultimately stepping into...

Can I download this Grant Writing & Funding episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!