Sep 23, 2025
In episode 132 of Nonprofit Mission: Impact, Carol Hamilton and Justine Krank discuss the realities and nuances of pursuing US government grants for nonprofit organizations.
They discuss:
-
common misconceptions including that government grants equals federal grants
-
The challenges and compliance demands that come with government dollars.
-
How to decode complex RFPs -- the hidden requirements that can make or break an application, and
-
how to get an organization truly grant-ready — not just on paper, but with the capacity to manage the work.
-
why the human side of building relationships even in the often opaque government grant space is important
Episode highlights:
[00:08:17] Clearing Up Misconceptions About Government
Grants
[00:09:24] The Challenge of Reading RFPs
[00:11:48] Why It Matters Who Writes the RFP
[00:13:49] The Hidden Details in Grant Links
[00:16:02] Budget Pitfalls in Grant Applications
[00:17:32] Federal vs. State and Local Funding
[00:20:08] Balancing Risk, Reward, and Compliance
[00:23:18] Shifting Grant Strategies Amid Funding
Freezes
[00:25:45] Building True Grant Readiness
[00:28:40] How to Research Relevant Funding
Streams
[00:30:56] The Often-Overlooked Human Element
[00:32:31] The Bottom Line: Alignment and Capacity
Guest Bio:
Justine founded Gold Dust Grants in January 2023 after
almost 10 years in the nonprofit field. She's an Intersectional
Professional with a background rooted in reproductive justice, a
B.A. from UC Berkeley, and over six years of dedicated
institutional grant writing experience, bringing in almost $12
million as Lead Writer. As a consultant, she leverages her
experience in nonprofit contracts & compliance, and her legal
studies background, to help nonprofits submit clear and cohesive
proposals with a strong case for support. While the bulk of her
grant experience is writing for Transition-Age Youth programs (ages
14-25), she also has extensive experience in: Housing, Mental
Health, Workforce Development, and LGBTQIA+ services. She has
worked on successful proposals totaling over $25 million in awards
funded
Important Links and Resources:
Be in Touch:
✉️ Subscribe to Carol’s newsletter at Grace Social Sector Consulting and receive the Common Mistakes Nonprofits Make In Strategic Planning And How To Avoid Them
📚Find the books referred to on Nonprofit Mission: Impact
👥 Like what you heard? Please share the podcast with a colleague or friend
🌟 Help more people learn about Nonprofit Mission: Impact by leaving a rating & review.
😀 Connect with Carol Hamilton ➡️ LinkedIn