EPISODE · Jun 30, 2026 · 39 MIN
What Can Make or Break a Nonprofit's Success Before Grant Funding
from Grant Writing & Funding · host Holly Rustick
In this episode, Holly talks with Reece Bester, Founder and CEO of Breakthrough Grants, about what nonprofits need to have in place before pursuing grant funding. Reece shares how data, diversified revenue, fiscal responsibility, testimonials, strong program design, and relationship-building all play a role in becoming truly grant-ready.They also discuss why nonprofits are businesses, how grant writers can support clients beyond writing, and why funders are increasingly looking for clear outcomes, sustainability, and strong organizational infrastructure.ABOUT OUR GUESTReece is a nonprofit founder turned grant strategist with over a decade of experience in program development and sustainable funding. After founding and scaling a STEM-based nonprofit through successful grant acquisition, I now provide specialized funding services to nonprofits nationwide. Having been in the founder’s seat, I bridge the gap between community need and funder expectations, replacing financial stress with reliable, systems-based growth.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTWebsite: https://breakthroughgrants.com/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.
What this episode covers
In this episode, Holly talks with Reece Bester, Founder and CEO of Breakthrough Grants, about what nonprofits need to have in place before pursuing grant funding. Reece shares how data, diversified revenue, fiscal responsibility, testimonials, strong program design, and relationship-building all play a role in becoming truly grant-ready.They also discuss why nonprofits are businesses, how grant writers can support clients beyond writing, and why funders are increasingly looking for clear outcomes, sustainability, and strong organizational infrastructure.ABOUT OUR GUESTReece is a nonprofit founder turned grant strategist with over a decade of experience in program development and sustainable funding. After founding and scaling a STEM-based nonprofit through successful grant acquisition, I now provide specialized funding services to nonprofits nationwide. Having been in the founder’s seat, I bridge the gap between community need and funder expectations, replacing financial stress with reliable, systems-based growth.CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTWebsite: https://breakthroughgrants.com/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.
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What Can Make or Break a Nonprofit's Success Before Grant Funding
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