Grant writers looking to either learn the grant writing process or hone their years of experience in the industry often wonder where to find accessible information about grant writing.
Podcasts about grants are a great way to gain knowledge and understanding of the grant writing process. Nonprofits should be leveraging the availability of free podcasts about grants to better position themselves toward successful grant applications.
Here, we gathered the best grant writing podcasts for new grant writers, nonprofit leaders, and grant writing professionals. This list features everything from high-level nonprofit topics to a basic grant writing master class.
How We Selected These Grant Writing Podcasts
We used several qualifying features to determine which shows to include in this list of best free podcasts about grants. We wanted to focus on podcasts with the following criteria:
1. Have a sustaining presence and a rich episode library:
We looked for podcasts that have episodes stretching across multiple seasons or ongoing podcasts with more than 100 episodes. This gives more opportunities to listen to various topics from a single podcast show. It also provides more confidence in the breadth of knowledge of the host.
2. Are updated regularly:
Most of the following podcasts are updated weekly. You need to know you can continue to refer back to a specific show for ongoing learning.
3. Host different guests:
While many podcast hosts are experts with decades of experience in grant writing, we looked for podcasts seeking other voices to join episodes. Podcasts that bring guests onto their show often have a broader topic spread and support a more comprehensive range of grant writing information.
4. Provide online resources:
Listening to podcast episodes is a great way to learn new information and strategies for the grant writing process. We also looked at podcast hosts that had robust resources available online in conjunction with their episodes, like grant writing master class options and episode notes.
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These podcasts about grants from grant prospecting expert Instrumentl invite a special guest each episode to explain a fundamental aspect of grant writing. This engaging podcast feels like you are part of the dynamic conversations of some of the best minds in the nonprofit world.
These informal podcasts about grants introduce concepts like the golden rule for grant applications and mastering the art of nonprofit storytelling.
Each episode features a current philanthropy professional in a down-to-earth interview. Check out this series to help make grant writing feel more approachable than ever.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are looking to learn foundational grant writing concepts and enjoy hearing personal testimonials from fellow nonprofit professionals.
How it hits the mark: these well-edited episodes are filled with valuable and practical content.
Teresa Huff offers a podcast rich in topics relevant to both beginner and experienced grant writers. Teresa has over two decades of experience in grant writing and nonprofit consulting. But her approach is particularly accessible to those just starting in grant writing.
Huff’s website holds a robust library of free resources and training opportunities, and offers mentorship and coaching. We are proud to have Teresa also as a partner of Instrumentl.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are a beginner grant writer looking for basic grant writing tips on how to get started.
How it hits the mark: episodes are added at least weekly, expert guests appear on the show frequently, and there is a robust website with resources.
Holly Rustick's approach is notably one of the more accessible options for beginning grant writers.
On her website you can search podcasts by topic, many of which are dedicated to new grant writers.
Additionally, Holly offers multiple grant writing master class opportunities to learn the art of grant writing. Her G.R.A.N.T.S Formula outlines proven steps to win grants and is a foundational learning resource for beginning grant writers.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are new to grant writing and need easy to follow tips and information.
How it hits the mark: there are over 200 episodes and a searchable library online, episodes are added at least weekly, expert guests are featured regularly, and there is a robust website.
The Best Grant Writing Podcasts for Grant Writing Consultants and Agencies
Prospect Research #ChatBytes Prospect Research Institute
The Prospect Research Institute provides industry-leading resources on the niche nonprofit topic of grant writing technology and data. Grant writing professionals can learn how to dive deeper into their quantitative data with the experts at PRI.
Learn about wide-ranging concepts like artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and creative approaches to board development from this free podcast about grants.
You’ll enjoy this if: you want to take your grant writing and consultancy services to a new level with knowledge of cutting-edge topics.
How it hits the mark: As you may suspect, the online resources that accompany every episode of PRI’s podcasts are comprehensive and helpful. If you can’t listen to an episode, check out the accompanying blog for each interview.
Episode Spotlight: Learn about how Instrumentl delivers a user experience tailored to support and enrich nonprofits with the episode Fundraising with an Abundance Mindset.
Nothing for Granted by Eliana
Nothing for Granted is on this list as an up-and-coming grant writing podcast. Although it is newer than others on this list, it has moved into the top-ranked shows for grant writing.
Eliana has an abundance of knowledge to support grant writing consultants and agencies. Her perspective of starting as a newbie grant writer is helpful for new and experienced coaches alike.
The audience for this podcast about grants is specifically freelancers and consultants. Eliana discusses both the business aspects of being a consultant and the grant writing details.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are a grant writing consultant just starting out wanting to listen to others that recently jumped into grant writing as well.
How it hits the mark: While this is a newer podcast, its promising start and consistency makes it a strong addition to any consultant’s podcast rotation.
Episode Spotlight: grant writing consultants just starting are likely going to be wondering about how to get clients trickling in. Eliana specifically talks about getting paid for your work in No Revenue Because You Have No Clients?
Nonprofit Nuggets by Jennifer Yarbrough
The Nonprofit Nuggets podcast focuses on defining and articulating what a nonprofit is and digging deeper into grant writing tips and how to raise money.
Yarbrough’s strategies and approach to topics is a must-subscribe for coaches and grant writing agencies.
For example, the episode Grant Readiness Checklist is a good listen for reminders and a new perspective on preparing to write grants.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are a consultant looking for tips, strategies, and tools for grant writing.
How it hits the mark: there is an online, searchable episode library with episode notes.
Episode Spotlight: grant writing consultants are hired for the purpose of winning grants for their clients. Yarbrough’s episode Keys and Tips to Getting Grant Funding talks grant writing consultants through the process of finding success.
The Best Grant Writing Podcasts for Executive Directors and Nonprofit Leaders
The Leadership Window by Dr. Patrick Jinks
Dr. Patrick Jinks delivers professional advice about the most in-demand topics for executive directors and nonprofit leaders. Jinks is a world-recognized strategy and leadership coach with more than 20 years experience as a nonprofit executive.
Explore high-level topics like succession planning and leaving a legacy with this thought-provoking podcast that feels like a grant writing master class.
The Leadership Window has released dozens of podcasts, in conjunction with Dr. Jink’s robust website. Find Ted talks, printable organizational tools, and other content on his extensive site.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are an emerging or established nonprofit leader looking to move beyond daily tasks to think creatively about the future.
How it hits the mark: Dr. Jink’s credentials result in impressive guests, including accomplished scientists, nonprofit industry CEOs, and successful entrepreneurs.
Episode Spotlight: Confront your grant writing mindset and explore effective grant matching with the enlightening discussion Nonprofit Grant Matching and Mindset with Instrumentl’s CEO Gauri Manglik.
Nonprofit Leadership Podcast by Rob Harter
The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast lives up to its name. This podcast offers an opportunity to engage with other experts and leaders in the nonprofit industry.
Guests on this podcast offer real stories and experiences in leading nonprofit organizations. Episodes cover challenges and opportunities facing nonprofits. You can also read associated blog posts linked to the content of each podcast episode.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are a nonprofit leader looking for topics that span your leadership issues, not exclusively fundraising and grant writing.
How it hits the mark: There are over 150 episodes, the podcast is updated weekly, it regularly features expert guests, and there is a full website of episodes and resources.
Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership by Dr. Patton McDowell
Dr. Patton McDowell’s long-running podcast elevates the conversation around professional development and nonprofit job-seeking. Dr. McDowell is a nonprofit leadership consultant with 30 years of experience.
The podcast’s website features a comprehensive episode summary and helpful list of resources to reference.
You’ll enjoy this if: you enjoy polished podcasts and are laser focused on becoming a better nonprofit leader every day.
How it hits the mark: this podcast features an extremely diverse list of guests from across the United States and around the world, which means you continue to learn fresh perspectives and grow your knowledge in new ways.
Joan Garry teaches nonprofit leaders and consultants by bringing the best in the field onto the podcast for interviews. The listeners' questions drive the guest list.
Joan Garry gets some heavy-hitting guests on her show with one of the largest listener bases in the nonprofit category of podcasts. The guest list includes renowned authors like Jim Collins and other big names in nonprofit and business leadership.
Her website has all episodes sorted by categories which makes finding information for nonprofit grant writing much more straightforward than browsing the entire list chronologically. Joan also has a website search bar that allows you to find specific podcast episode topics by typing in keywords.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are a nonprofit executive wanting a one-stop-shop in a podcast to cover anything you might need or want to learn in nonprofit management.
How it hits the mark: There are almost 170 episodes, it is updated weekly, expert guests often appear on the show, and a full website of episodes and resources are available to viewers.
How We Run: Tips and tales of nonprofit success by Julie Lacouture and Trent Stamp
The How We Run podcast focuses on the complex issues facing nonprofits and their leaders. The podcast tackles all of the multifaceted complexities of running a nonprofit organization and provides support across various topics, including grant writing.
This podcast is aimed at nonprofit executives and leaders and addresses many leadership challenges. Beyond grant writing, the How We Run podcast seeks to address a strategic grant-making program and build a structure for your organization's sustainable financing.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are the executive of your nonprofit and are looking for information about effectively leading in the top position of your organization.
How it hits the mark: The show hosts regular expert guests and has a valuable set of discussion topics for nonprofit leaders.
Episode Spotlight: learn the mistakes most nonprofits make when applying for funds in Grant Writing and Management.
The Small Small Business by Steve Fredlund
This podcast’s mission is to level the playing field between large corporations, small businesses, and even those small, small businesses. Nonprofits will find many of the topics covered by the Small Small Business podcast applicable to their daily reality.
Episodes on recruiting excellent talent, embracing digital marketing, and effective networking feature inspiring entrepreneurs from both the for-profit and non profit sectors. Guests of this podcast share practical tips aimed to meet the needs of this specific and often underserved audience.
You’ll enjoy this if: you wear many hats! Learn how to prioritize tasks and conquer that to-do list with this down-to-earth podcast.
How it hits the mark: this laser-focused podcasts fits an important niche and exposes nonprofit leaders to relatable peers from many diverse industries.
Episode Spotlight: Episode 68 features insight from Instrumentl’s CEO Gauri Manglik about hiring great talent to help with grant prospecting.
The Best Grant Writing Podcasts for Nonprofits
Nonprofit Jenni Show by Jenni
The Nonprofit Jenni Show has it all for learning about facets of nonprofit leadership and management. Episodes cover a broad spectrum of topics in the nonprofit industry, and there are regular segments focused on nonprofit grant writing.
Jenni also offers a weekly email newsletter that summarizes the main takeaways from the podcast and includes show notes and updates.
Unique to the Nonprofit Jenni Show is a button asking listeners to submit topics, recommended guests, or pose questions to be addressed on the podcast.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are looking for an easy listen that covers an array of nonprofit topics, including grant writing.
How it hits the mark: there are 160 episodes, it is updated weekly, there are expert guests regularly, and there is a full website of episodes and resources.
Episode Spotlight: Go find episode 106: Becoming a Grant Writersince it features Meredith Noble, a partner of Instrumentl!
Fundraising HayDay by Amanda Day & Kimberly Hays de Muga
The Fundraising HayDay was launched in 2018 by Amanda and Kimberly, two good friends who have been working in the fundraising space for more than two decades. With five different seasons of podcast episodes, this dynamic duo offers distilled knowledge and actionable tips.
What’s great about the Fundraising HayDay website is their Show Notes which is a goldmine of useful resources that were shared during each episode.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are looking for straightforward tips and insights about everything related to grant writing, development, and fundraising.
How it hits the mark: expert guests are regularly brought in,there are 90+ episodes for now, and they typically release 2 episodes per month.
Episode Spotlight: Go find the episode about improving the grant process to discover how to structure your workflow better and avoid common frustrations (limited character counts in applications are the worst!).
The Development DeBrief by Kathryn Van Sickle
This comprehensive podcast covers seemingly every topic essential to the continuing education of nonprofit employees. Kathryn Van Sickle is active and successful in the industry today, making The Development DeBrief a rare podcast since it’s not from a retired fundraiser or fundraising consultant.
Van Sickle covers everything from planned giving to a complete capital campaign toolkit. If you work in the fine arts or education, you may find even more relevant and high-quality content for you.
You’ll enjoy this if: you want to sit down with someone who “gets it” — a frontline fundraiser working today.
How it hits the mark: Van Sickle maintains excellent consistency with her podcast and pushes the envelope with her topics. If you are looking for a specific hot-button nonprofit issue, there’s a chance Van Sickle has covered it.
Episode Spotlight: Cancel the Gala for Good? asks thought-provoking questions about some of the most deeply entrenched customs of nonprofits.
Nonprofit Innovators by Maria Clark
Maria Clark hosts this upbeat series, delivering the most interesting new conversations within the nonprofit world. This monthly podcast features inspiring talent, including the President and CEO of the Parkinson’s Foundation and the President of Little Big Horn College.
Nonprofit Innovators features episodes covering digital fundraising and talent management. Listen along to learn from passionate advocates, inspiring trailblazers, and innovative minds of all kinds.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are looking for an optimistic and inspirational boost along with practical advice on topics like hiring employees and improving the quality of data you use for grants.
How it hits the mark: this podcast is updated monthly, so it’s an easy one to add to your ongoing professional education.
Executive directors and nonprofit leaders are likely familiar with the grant writing process. Most of you have engaged in fundraising efforts and grants as part of your strategy to sustain your nonprofit organization.
This podcast is worth a listen because it has hundreds of episodes that will allow you to hone in on specific topics and needs as they come. You can count on this large bank of episodes to cover grant writing processes and other financial issues and fundraising in particular.
Martignetti maintains an online supplement that tracks episodes and provides additional information and resources about his broader work in the nonprofit industry.
The Nonprofit Radio podcast is a must-subscribe resource for even the most experienced and adept nonprofit grant writer.
You’ll enjoy this if: you need an ongoing resource from a well-known voice in nonprofits.
How it hits the mark: there are 600 episodes, it is updated weekly, there is regularly a line-up of expert guests featured on the show, and a full website of episodes and resources are readily available.
This unique nonprofit podcast effortlessly blends uplifting stories of nonprofit leaders finding their calling and practical business advice. Tracy Clark, founder of Clark & Clark Inc., combines her nonprofit expertise with her husband Robert’s legal background. This combination results in a winning podcast.
Tune in for advice on how to manage overwhelming thoughts and nonprofit stress as well as topics like customer service and beginning nonprofit finances.
You’ll enjoy this if: you want to celebrate and become inspired by the mission-motivated lives of nonprofit professionals like you.
How it hits the mark: this powerful husband and wife team delivers a fresh dynamic and welcome perspective to the nonprofit podcasting landscape.
Not all nonprofits are created equal in terms of size and scale. Many nonprofits are small and run by single, passionate leaders or small teams. Cindy Wagman offers a podcast aimed at supporting these small nonprofit efforts.
She recognizes the seemingly endless time required to keep the organization moving forward while working with minimal resources. Her goal in creating The Small Nonprofit podcast is to create a community of nonprofit leaders that regularly share their knowledge and encouragement to keep pressing on.
In conjunction with the podcast, Cindy Wagman has The Good Partnership website and resources to support small nonprofits further. From her website, you can also search her episodes by topic and find conversations around grant writing.
You’ll enjoy this if: you are looking for practical information to support nonprofits.
How it hits the mark: there are almost 180 episodes, it is updated weekly, there is a consistent line-up of expert guests, and a full website of episodes and resources is provided.
Episode Spotlight: hear an expert guest talk about The Dreaded Question About Sustainability to learn more on why many nonprofits struggle with consistent funding.
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A Final Tip: Create Your Own List!
A final tip is to create your own grant writing podcasts list. To do this, search your podcast listening app for keywords and star the episodes that pop up.
While some shows are dedicated to the craft of grant writing and nonprofit leadership, there are others with quality podcast shows that touch on the topic in single episodes. Don't be afraid to hone in on your exact learning needs by discovering new content through the search feature.
Wrapping Things Up: The Best Grant Writing Podcasts of 2024
Suppose you are a grant writer or nonprofit leader looking to improve your skills and knowledge of the grant writing process. In that case, podcasts are an excellent way to do both with convenience and portability.
If you have a listening device, you have the opportunity to continue learning about grant writing. The best grant writing podcasts on this list have hosts with decades of experience in nonprofit grant writing and leadership. Further, they have guest speaker lineups that add dynamic content and build exhaustive episode libraries that cover just about every topic you may need to develop your nonprofit grant writing expertise.
If you are a grant writing consultant or agency, a nonprofit executive or leader, or just looking to increase your understanding of grant writing generally, podcasts may be right for you.
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