Growing a Grant Writing Business from $5k to $200k in 2 years with Isatou

In this conversation, Isatou Bittaye-Jobe shares her journey from being an in-house grant writer to becoming a freelance grant writer specializing in grassroots social justice organizations. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in the funding landscape, particularly the shift from federal to foundation grants. Isatou emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community support in her business growth, highlighting how delegation and team building have allowed her to achieve a better work-life balance. Holly and Isatou also touch on the mindset shifts necessary for success in the nonprofit sector.About IsatouIsatou Bittaye-Jobe is a Grant Writer and strategist dedicated to mobilizing resources for nonprofits advancing women’s rights, gender and racial justice, human rights, democracy, and social change. As the Founder and Principal Consultant of AmiKha Consulting, she assists U.S.-based and Global South nonprofits with funding strategy, grant writing, grant research, and grant readiness services. With over 15 years of experience, Isatou has secured more than $10 million in grant awards from private foundations, multilateral donors, and government agencies. She specializes in foundation, state, and federal grants, including the U.S. Department of Justice’s OVW and OVC grants, to support social justice movements in the U.S. and Internationally. Before founding AmiKha Consulting, Isatou served as Director of Institutional Giving at UltraViolet, leading institutional funding strategy and raising the organization’s $5 million annual budget.Isatou’s intersectional approach to grant writing draws from her expertise in fundraising, program management, community organizing, and advocacy within the social justice and international development sectors in Africa and the U.S. Beyond grant writing and fundraising, Isatou actively advocates for philanthropy to shift toward Community Centric Fundraising-aligned principles and trust-based philanthropy models, including presenting at prominent events on topics such as “Grant Writing as Activism and Advocacy” at the 2024 Grant Professionals Association GrantSummit.Originally from The Gambia, Isatou began her career in human rights advocacy. She is a 2016 Women Deliver Young Leader Alumni, recognized globally for advancing gender equality. She holds dual M.A. degrees in Women’s and Gender Studies from the City University of New York Graduate Center and International Studies from National Chengchi University in Taiwan.Connect with IsatouAmiKha Consulting websiteIsatou Bittaye-Jobe’s LinkedInLinks Mentioned:Freelance Grant Writer Academy Grant Professional MentorshipOTHER 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/mentorship RATE, 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 was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems ———————————————————————————