When 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 reactive decision-making and into intentional leadership when deciding whether to renew (or walk away from) a client contract.

In this episode:

00:00:00 Separating Mission And Business

00:02:39 Client Renewal Checklist

00:05:08 Grant Writer Pricing Boundaries

This podcast is produced by Ideablossoms.

About DeaRonda Harrison:

DeaRonda Harrison is the founder of June First Firm and host of the Grant CEO podcast, a show for experienced grant writers ready to step into the role of strategic, confident CEO of their own scalable business. With over a decade of experience, she’s helped nonprofits secure more than $45 million in funding.

Today, DeaRonda coaches grant writing consultants on pricing their services, setting boundaries, and moving from freelance grant writer to CEO. Through her You Are the Prize™ Framework, she helps grant professionals build sustainable, profitable grant writing businesses.

Grant CEO Assessment: https://grantceo.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearondaharrison/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearondaharrison/

Website: https://junefirstfirm.com/

Just 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 process, and trust her expertise.

This conversation is a must-listen for experienced grant writers who are tired of explaining their value, customizing pricing for every client, or wondering how much to charge for grant writing services.

In this episode:

00:00:00 Entering Grant Writing

00:02:53 Rejecting Low Hourly Rates

00:11:02 Retainer Cadence Systems

00:17:49 Pricing Through Niching

This podcast is produced by Ideablossoms.

Connect with Victoria Lamar:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victorialamar/

Website: http://www.securingdegrees.org/

Take The Grant CEO Assessment!

Tired of operating like an overworked freelancer and ready to step into the CEO seat of your business?

Head to grantceo.com, answer the questions, get your report, and start building a profitable and sustainable grant writing business.

About DeaRonda Harrison:

DeaRonda Harrison is the founder of June First Firm and host of the Grant CEO podcast, a show for experienced grant writers ready to step into the role of strategic, confident CEO of their own scalable business. With over a decade of experience, she’s helped nonprofits secure more than $45 million in funding.

Today, DeaRonda coaches grant writing consultants on pricing their services, setting boundaries, and moving from freelance grant writer to CEO. Through her You Are the Prize™ Framework, she helps grant professionals build sustainable, profitable grant writing businesses.

Grant CEO Assessment: https://grantceo.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearondaharrison/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearondaharrison/

Website: https://junefirstfirm.com/

If 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 with confidence.

You’ll also hear how stepping into your Power changes how you show up in sales conversations, helps you attract aligned clients, and makes you irrefutable—not replaceable.

In this episode:

00:00:00 Power Over Comparison

00:04:43 Fingerprint Positioning Strategy

00:11:29 Niche Clarity Eliminates Competition

This podcast is produced by Ideablossoms.

Take The Grant CEO Assessment!

Tired of operating like an overworked freelancer and ready to step into the CEO seat of your business?

Head to grantceo.com, answer the questions, get your report, and start building a profitable and sustainable grant writing business.

About DeaRonda Harrison:

DeaRonda Harrison is the founder of June First Firm and host of the Grant CEO podcast, a show for experienced grant writers ready to step into the role of strategic, confident CEO of their own scalable business. With over a decade of experience, she’s helped nonprofits secure more than $45 million in funding.

Today, DeaRonda coaches grant writing consultants on pricing their services, setting boundaries, and moving from freelance grant writer to CEO. Through her You Are the Prize™ Framework, she helps grant professionals build sustainable, profitable grant writing businesses.

Grant CEO Assessment: https://grantceo.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dearondaharrison/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dearondaharrison/

Website: https://junefirstfirm.com/