You need additional income, want to replace your full-time job, or want to grow your existing freelance business;
You want to create a business that actually builds financial stability for you, your family, your clients, and any employees or contractors you hire;
You love serving the greater good, working with a wide variety of people and organizations, and learning;
You want the option of working from home and meeting with clients virtually;
You want to set your own schedule, whether that's because you have kids or parents to care for, or just want to do you;
You're business-minded—you love working with clients, planning, marketing, designing business processes, and getting *ish* done; and
You are a skilled writer (not necessarily with grant writing experience, but it helps).

9 CORE BOSS TRAINING UNITS

Our 9 pre-recorded trainings (2 hours each) will teach you not just what you need to do but how to do it. These are self-paced and available to watch and complete as soon as you join.

After you watch each training, you can then watch the corresponding office hour (1 hour each) for that training where we work with students to implement the lessons we taught. These are pre-recorded sessions with students in past cohorts that will provide insight into how different students apply the lessons according to their circumstances.

(Don't worry, you'll also have a full year of live office hours to attend yourself!)

WRITE YOUR GRANT IN 1 HOUR USING AI COURSE

Whether you're new to grant writing and need a step-by-step guide to finding and writing successful grants or you're experienced , Write Your Grant in 1 Hour Using AI is for you. It helps you get clarity on what’s important in the grant writing process. It provides a systematic way of getting your work done that actually helps you complete the grant. It helps you level up your grant writing, fast.

Krista is a Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer.

MONTHLY BOSS TRAININGS ON ADVANCED TOPICS

During your year of membership, you'll be able to attend live monthly trainings that go beyond what we teach in the 9 core training units.

Half of these trainings will be taught by our team and the other half will be taught by renowned subject matter experts. In 2023, we hired experts on stock market investing, mindset development, annual planning, social media, and rest as resistance (all recordings are up for you to watch!).

In 2024, our advanced training topics include creating (and selling) grant search and strategy plans, enhancing business operations, managing your time as a business owner, scaling your business to over $1 million, financial planning and wealth management, setting your business up for vacations and sabbaticals, and more!

All live trainings are recorded and shared on the course site.

DAILY: ONLINE COMMUNITY

In 2024, we've moved from our old course platform and Slack to a Mighty Networks Space that is way more robust and easily accessible from the course site. You'll get all of your course content, registrations for live events, community chats, and job postings all in one place.

Not only is the user experience so much better on the site, you can also access the course from the Mighty Networks mobile app. So you can easily watch trainings, register for events, and chat with other members right from your phone.

AI + TECH TEMPLATES, GUIDES, AND TRAINING

We love technology. It's a big part of how we operate and is part of what we studied in graduate school. That's why we are among the leading experts in implementing AI for grant writing. We came out with the first course on the subject and have stayed on top of developments in order to keep our students ahead of the curve.

We provide you with the most updated info, templates, and guides so that you don't have to make sense of what's going on yourself but can implement top strategies now.

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS & FEEDBACK

Students will receive two writing assignments to complete in order to both learn and earn their grant writing certification.

1. Grant Search and Strategy Plan

2. Grant Writing

These assignments are designed as if you are the consultant and a client (our team) is providing you with information. That means you will have a base of real client information that you will then use to develop new materials and ideas, conduct your own research, and produce the final products. However, we will provide the templates and training for succeeding with these assignments.

Then our team will review and provide revision feedback. Once you complete revisions, you will resubmit to us for final evaluation and certification.

The first assignment can be a service you provide to clients for $3,500+ and the second assignment is a service you can provide to clients for $5,000+.

SUBCONTRACTING WORK WITH US

We have hired our own Boss Club graduates as both contractors and even full-time employees (like Stephanie!). If you are interested in getting experience through subcontracting with us, you have the opportunity to do just that once you complete your certification. Subcontracting work with us is not guaranteed when you become a member, but you will be qualified and more likely to be selected to work with us once you earn your certificate. We like to draw upon our own pool of students because we know they are qualified!

Select the fee structure that fits where you are on the scale.

Supporter

I have earning power due to my racial privilege, class background, level of education, gender identity, age, ability etc. (Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, we ask you to recognize this privilege.)
I easily meet all of my basic needs.
I make all mortgage/rent/utilities payments with relative ease.
I have investments, savings, and/or inherited money.
I have access to family money and/or resources in times of need.
I often have expendable income.
I take trips or vacations without substantial financial burden.

Ally

I have earning power due to my racial privilege, class background, level of education, gender identity, age, ability etc. (Even if you are not currently exercising your earning power, we ask you to recognize this privilege.)
I comfortably meet most of my basic needs but do not have any savings.
I have housing stability.
I have some debt but still meet my primary needs.
I sometimes have expendable income.

BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

I am a Black or Indigenous person or a person of color.

This rate is available to any Black, Indigenous, or person of color regardless of their current financial situation. This category relies upon self-identification. If you're not sure whether you're Indigenous, you can read more about Indigenous identification here.

Categories and language are adapted from Rachel Ricketts' Fee Philosophy and Ride Free Fearless Money.

“I’m going to make times two what I’m making in my job as a professor . . . . More people need to hear that and to see that it is possible!

If you’re thinking about making the jump, Krista is the very best of the very best . . . Everything she does is of quality, so you’re going to be in good hands. She will guide you along the way. You do your part. . . If you show up, if you believe in yourself, if you implement anything that she says, you are going to get some results, for sure.

It’s already lonely to be on this journey in the first place… But you have this community to compare notes with, to ask questions to, to encourage each other. That is gold.”

-Dr. Omotola Akinsola, The Funding Magnet

“One of the things I gained was more confidence [to charge her new client instead of doing it for free]. . . . Before when I was writing [grants] I didn't ask for anything.

If you want to get your business’s foundation well-established, the Boss Club is an excellent place to start.

You’re not going to second-guess anything you’re doing during the set-up of your business, and it’s going to ease your mind that you have a well-established business to move forward with.

It is a very good class to take. It eases the stress . . . . There are other classes I’ve taken on building a business where they only give you so much information and you’ve got to figure a lot of it out yourself. But with you, it’s very helpful.

You give step-by-steps…You give us the ability to be more confident and feel better as we’re setting up our own business.”

-Patience Frisby

“I feel like Boss Club was the stepping stone for me to get to the place that I’m in now. Now, I feel like I’m centered. My feet are planted firmly, and I’m ready to go.

I want to speak to anyone who might come after me, who feels like I can’t get it together.

I don’t even know that you realize what you put together. It goes so far beyond grant writing. It’s ridiculous. . . . It infused my life with so many things that I didn’t even realize I’d gotten from Boss Club until the last few weeks.

I swear on everything that I love, that Krista, you created something that was so incredible. You’re giving so many people access to freedom, not even just financially or freedom from the 9-5 workplace, you’re giving people freedom in their lives.

I was so excited for all of the women in the club whose businesses were just exploding. It’s so inspirational.

[I know] the world needs what I’m going to do."

-Kyoni Cummings

"An awesome place to network with driven & inspirational bosses!

After joining the club I now have a template to use to better build out my grant writing services particularly & 2 new clients.

The most valuable lesson I learned were strategies to implement on how not to under sell myself, business & skills.

My favorite things about the club was the recorded sessions, workbooks & community of amazing people.

I would highly recommend this club to anyone looking to structure a profitable grant writing business.

I absolutely enjoyed the club. It was both educational & fun!"

- Shametria Richardson

She’s Favored Network

"I had very little “formal” experience. I had the writing skills down, but never knew where to go to learn all of the other skills I needed - like budgeting and contracts!

One of the most important lessons I learned was how to break each project down and establish a structured timeline to stay on track.

Everyone is so encouraging and easy to talk to and I love that! It gave me so much more confidence to “just do it!”

I’m more confident in telling potential clients I write grants.

Take this course before you start your grant writing business!"

- Angie Bates

The Write CEO

"I've gone from feeling like no one would pay for my grant writing expertise to developing a price structure and feeling confident about the prices and list of services I offer.

The information, format, and structure allow new or seasoned grant writing professionals access to other accomplished professionals who offer priceless details regarding their journey, pitfalls, success and perspectives.

I also loved the camaraderie both in the sessions and via Slack.

I enjoyed the process and I'm looking forward to applying the knowledge and strategies as I build my business."

- Sheila Fleming

WesCourt Advisors

Know Yourself

Narrow in on your Genius & (re)Design your Services

Learn how to figure out what you're good at and how you can package your services in the most appealing way.

Krista shares her tried and true practices, as well as templates and examples you can use for your own business.

Using her 3-step method, you'll be able to get your first client (or sign a new one) within 30 days.

Krista will also share her strategies for designing client services and pricing, which have both evolved many times over the years.

She'll show you all the behind-the-scenes of her business, even sharing all of her pricing from day one until now.

Fill your Pipeline with Online Marketing

Automate Your Prospects

Learn how to get your client calendar full or as full as you want it to be!

I'll show you how to fill your pipeline through cold outreach, networking, social media, email, and free training events. The pipeline is not just who is ready to sign now, it's who is on your radar or whose radar you are on, who is booking a discovery call with you, who is reviewing a contract, and then who is ready to sign today. We will help you make sure you have clients in every part of your pipeline and you keep it moving.

There are many ways to get clients, and we'll teach a variety of options that you can choose from based on your strengths and what you want to do and actually will do.

Get Legit

Set Up your Business, Create Rock-Solid Contracts, & Protect Yourself

Learn all about the legal aspects of setting up your business for success and keeping yourself protected as your business grows.

We'll learn from Dave Kurlinkus, an attorney licensed in the state of Illinois who has represented clients in business law for the last 30 years. He also served as Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office Civil Bureau Chief for 11 years.

And yes, we are related! Dave is my father-in-law and has been immeasurably helpful to me over the years. We worked together on developing two contract templates for you to use for your business. We'll also discuss any other legal questions you may have, including those about business formations.

You'll learn how to set up your business depending upon your circumstances and needs, revise our client contract templates, and understand the legalities of grant writing consultant and client relationships.

You Better Work

Design Work Processes that Guarantee Great Experiences for You & Your Clients

Learn from me and my team about designing work processes that work for you, your team, and your clients.

We'll share the processes that ensure we collect all the information we need in the first month of working together. We'll also share how we as a team complete client work seamlessly and give our clients not only amazing results, but a flawless experience.

You'll learn workflows, project management strategies, standard operating procedures, and file organization, and time management.

You'll also learn how to process invoices, deal with late payments, manage retainers, and set successful client boundaries. Finally, you'll learn how to maintain long-term client relations and then wrap up client projects and relationships with ease.

Free Your Mind

Prepare Yourself to Build Wealth, a Legacy of Good, & Personal Freedom

Go through our specialized mindset and goal setting experiences with two business coaches, Kelley Green and Becky Mollenkamp.

Becky is a feminist business mindset coach, and helps her clients release limiting beliefs within themselves so they can stand in their power and achieve their goals.

Becky leads us through a goal setting workshop in which you can uncover goals that align with your core values, strengths, and deepest aspirations.

You'll also learn from Kelley, author of Perfectly Imperfect, a certified international yoga and meditation instructor, certified life coach, and the founder of the platform @riseincolor.

She leads us through a mindset elevation experience that will help you envision your ideal self, future, and the exact steps you need to take to get there.

Build Wealth

Don't Just Get Paid, Create Financial Freedom For Yourself & Everyone You Work With

No one goes into business to be broke, so this unit will teach you how to transform your finances so that make good money while also making an impact.

You'll learn from finance wiz and business boss, Stephanie Skryzowski. Stephanie is the founder of 100 Degrees, a financial leadership consultancy. She and her team provide fractional CFO services to nonprofit and mission-focused for-profit businesses around the world.

In this session, Stephanie will teach you how to transform your finances so that make good money while also making an impact. You'll learn about budgeting, cashflow, and forecasting so that you never wonder (or worry) about your numbers again.

Create & Sell Digital Products

Earn passive income + gain another client funnel through online offers

I show you how I turned my small grant writing business into a revenue-generating machine with digital products and online courses. Digital learning products can ramp up your grant writing business in two ways:

1. Provide a sustainable, consistent stream of “passive” income that keeps your revenue up even if you lose clients or are unable to work. I put “passive” in quotation marks because it does require upkeep, but it’s minimal and on your own time frame in comparison to client work.

2. Create a sales funnel for new client prospects. One amazing thing about providing digital products is the way it automates your pipeline so you don’t have to search for new clients. I’ll show you how to build and take advantage of this more advanced, but ultimately much more time effective, way of bringing new clients to you!

Your Marketing Materials

I'll share how to navigate the beast that is online and organic marketing. I provide you with a high-converting lead page template that you can then customize and publish to your website or use as your website. You'll create your own SM page on the platform of your choice, and I'll share essential SM templates with you to use to promote your biz. You'll also write promotional emails using our templates to get people interested not just in your work, but you. (You'll learn to be liked and loved because people buy from people they like and love.)

Your Client Pipeline Materials

You'll create your own customer journey map using our template, so you know exactly how you'll move customers from awareness to loyalty.

I never take on a meeting with a prospect without first having them complete a thorough prospective client questionnaire. I'll share that with you and give you a template to create your own.

I share my exact discovery call scripts and slides that you can revise to move clients from consideration to acquisition, so that you can start making money now.

I also share my own client onboarding materials and provide you with templates for your own (and help you figure out how to customize it for your own biz).

You'll never wonder again what the next steps are in a client relationship.

I have helped my grant writing clients win tens of millions in grants over the last 9 years, and my team and I still work with a full roster of clients to this day. I am proud to have built a business with longevity and a record of success.

It's important that I continue to work with clients and grow my consulting business while I teach you to do the same. It keeps me up-to-date with the realities of grant writing consulting, allows me to test new strategies on my own business before teaching them to my students, and keeps my skills sharp.

I'm an expert in the teaching of writing and the arts of persuasion. I earned my Ph.D. in English-Rhetoric, Composition and Literacy Studies from The Ohio State University in 2015. I spent over 7 years teaching writing in universities before creating my online grant writing courses.

I created Grant Writing Boss Club to help grant writers like you serve the greater good while also creating financial stability for yourself, your team, and your clients.

Krista

What Makes Grant Writing

Boss Club Different?

1. It's taught by a trained educator. Yes, I think that makes a huge difference. Being a successful expert doesn't also make you a great teacher. I have a Ph.D. in teaching rhetoric and writing and taught university writing for over seven years. I know a few things about curricular design and pedagogy.

2. It's grounded in equity and justice. We believe in and actively fight for racial, ethnic, economic, gender, LGBTQ+, and disability equity. Our instructional content and guest experts reflect this focus. Our pricing is on a sliding scale that is meant to counter capitalist, sexist, and racist structures that our country is built upon. If that makes you uncomfortable or you think it's wrong, this is not the spot for you.

3. It features guest experts. I lined up a whole bunch of experts in finance, law, marketing, consulting processes, and business mindset to give you the best education you can get. So you're not just getting my expertise and perspectives, you're getting access to a bunch of pros.

4. It's results-oriented. I'm here to help you succeed, i.e. make that money and keep those clients happy. I don't want you just to learn a bunch of stuff and never use it. We'll take action and make it happen during office hours.

5. It's pleasurable. Ultimately, I think everything you do as a business owner should have some element of pleasure. If not, why are you doing it? From the content, to the design, to the personalities you'll encounter, this experience will be a pleasurable one. Guaranteed.

6. It's accessible. We provide multiple price points for multiple identities and economic situations. We don't just talk about equity, we do it. We also provide multiple ways to access the course lessons, including captions on all videos and the content taught in the videos written out in the workbooks.

“I felt like I kind of needed a forum where I was with like-minded people who were either trying to get started or trying to develop their business. So that’s why I decided to take the plunge and join Boss Club.

I can tell you that I benefited from each session, from every session. I never got bored. I was very motivated after each session.

I believe it was money well spent . . . . I love the fact that you have a network of people for the rest of your life. That’s what I love: the connections.

I like the fact that you have a diversity of students in it. And I learned so much from everybody and everyone’s perspective.

Every session, I found something that I could use, either in my business or in my own personal life.

You have been so helpful to me along my journey. I really appreciate it.”

-Sheila Fleming, WesCourt Advisors

"It’s just been awesome . . . . I’m a PhD. I took a lot of grant writing classes in college. My PhD is in nonprofit management, and I didn’t have any classes in there that were even close to what you’ve been able to teach.

There’s no way that you’re not going to get something out of this class. And for what the price is, it’s definitely worth your time and energy.

And it will get you going on the right path. You’ll feel so much more confident with what you’re doing.

Take that leap and do it! Just do it.”

-Dr. Justina Appel

“It is just an honor to be connected with you, Krista, because you have access…access to information that I don’t because I’m blocked by the color of my skin and I’m a female.

I’m stepping in, and I’m bringing everyone else with me. The accountability…Like I said, doing life and having a safe space to do life with like-minded individuals has been so encouraging.

My cohort, they have lifted me up. Some have reached out. And we’re all doing it within the community.

I would say–no I am saying: You should join.

I’m telling you, working with Krista…and her team as a whole, is so encouraging because if you don’t ask, if you don’t feel like you have the two cents right now, just ask. And the flexibility is there.”

-Rona Walton

“This endeavor for me was to say…okay, what are we doing when this whole full-time thing comes to an end?

I’ve got my LLC…and I have my first client. I’ll be able to put a check in that new account soon.

I really liked the way you laid it out . . . . It’s very beneficial. And I love the fact that it’s focused on the business of the work…That makes it very unique.

You do a good job of covering all the bases, from what you really need to be thinking about and not neglect when you start, to self-care components, which are just as important.

It’s a nice, well-rounded business course for people like us.”

-Tori Burns

Our membership, guest speakers, and coaches are diverse.

This is intentional.

Our course is designed and delivered through an anti-racist and feminist lens.

If that doesn't fly with you, then this isn't the spot for you.

If these values do resonate with you, we invite you to consider joining us in Boss Club.

We welcome and cherish members from traditionally marginalized and oppressed identities. We want to do everything we can to help you change the world while building personal wealth.

So Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color, LGBTQ+, Disabled, and other marginalized communities are centered and at home here.

Krista is white, which is one of the reasons she does not teach Boss Club alone. Instead, she hires guest speakers and coaches to teach and share their experiences from their own unique points of view and backgrounds.

Systemic inequality impacts how we show up as business owners, how others respond to us as business owners, and how we live as both business owners and members of other larger communities. Those must be acknowledged and accounted for in a successful learning experience.

We'll provide guidance on how to treat each other respectfully and make space within this membership, how to acknowledge privilege and decenter privileged perspectives, how to cherish our differences, and how to call in other members (and us, the leadership team) to learn and grow together.

In addition, we build accessibility into our course materials in a variety of ways. One frequent question we get is about video accessibility. We caption and transcribe all videos. We also repeat information provided in the trainings within the workbooks because we all learn differently and benefit from repetition of information over a variety of modalities. If there is a different accommodation you need, please let us know in advance so we can provide it.

Most nonprofits can't afford to keep a full-time or even part-time grant writer on staff.

You might think, if they need a grant writer, won't they just hire one? Hiring staff takes even more money than contracting work out.

Usually, the biggest factor is affordability. A nonprofit can commit to several thousand dollars to hire you to write a few grants, but they can't afford the $30k+ needed to hire and provide benefits for a staff grant writer.

This doesn't mean you should work for a low rate that can't keep you and your family fed. (Don't worry, I teach you how to determine your rate in the workshops).

It means you'll be writing fewer grants than a staff grant writer or you'll just be doing more specialized work.

For example, a nonprofit might hire you to conduct a grant search and evaluation, then take over on the writing themselves. That's still several thousand dollars in your pocket! Or maybe they ask you to revise a grant draft after they've already completed the bulk of the work.

(Again, I teach you how to pitch your services and help a client understand how you can most benefit them in the club.)

So, now is the time for you, as a freelance grant writer or grant writing consultant, to go all in.

What will we learn in Grant Writing Boss Club? Is this right for me?

The syllabus is in this section of the course info page . Please take the time to read through it thoroughly so you’ll know exactly what we’re going to cover. If it doesn’t seem like a fit for you, please take that into account when making your decision. Here is who we recommend joins Grant Writing Boss Club:

-You should either already have some grant writing experience or advanced writing skills in another field that you can easily translate into grant writing skills. We don't believe in throwing people into consulting if they don't have the writing skills to do it successfully.

-You should be ready to take the time and mental space to attend the monthly trainings, grant writing workshops, and office hours (or at least watch the recordings if you can’t be there live). You can expect to do at least 1 hour of work each week.

-You should be willing to be engaged in a community of folks who are there to support you and get your feedback as well. Showing up to the trainings, workshops, and office hours as often as you can and communicating with your peers on our Mighty Networks community is important to your success.

-You should be ready to do some inner work to get yourself in the right mindset to succeed in your business. This is absolutely the most challenging but most essential part of doing this work. We’ll be there to help you.

Do you offer scholarships or other payment plans?

We offer equity pricing, which includes the payment categories of BIPOC, Ally, and Supporter. Members self-identify with their appropriate category based on the definitions listed on the course info page, and we don't ask for any sort of “proof."

Then each of those categories has both a 1-payment and a 12-payment option.

If you apply the lessons, complete the materials for the course, and put yourself out there, the course will more than pay for itself. The Return on Investment can be high if you put in the work.

You can do good & make good money

Grant Writing Boss Club

is for you if

If any of that sounds like you, I invite you to join Grant Writing Boss Club.

Here's What You Get

When You Say Yes

Tons of Training with Top Experts & Professional Educators

9 CORE BOSS TRAINING UNITS

WRITE YOUR GRANT IN 1 HOUR USING AI COURSE

MONTHLY BOSS TRAININGS ON ADVANCED TOPICS

Done-for-You Templates, Workbooks, & Writing Guides

CUSTOMIZABLE TEMPLATES

COMPREHENSIVE BOSS WORKBOOKS

Live Support & Community

MONTHLY: OFFICE HOURS

WEEKLY: POWER HOUR

DAILY: ONLINE COMMUNITY

THE BOSS CLUB DIRECTORY

Our AI Grant Writing Assistant, Tech Discounts, & Templates

OUR AI GRANT WRITING ASSISTANT

ONE FREE MONTH OF INSTRUMENTL

DISCOUNTS TO OUR TOP BUSINESS SOFTWARE

AI + TECH TEMPLATES, GUIDES, AND TRAINING

Expert Coaching & Writing Feedback

WRITING ASSIGNMENTS & FEEDBACK

YOUR BOSS PATHWAY ASSESSMENT

1-ON-1 COACHING WITH US

Opportunities to Get Paid Work

BOSS CLUB CERTIFICATION NOW INCLUDES GRANT WRITING ASSIGNMENTS + REVIEWS

BOSS CLUB JOB BOARD

SUBCONTRACTING WORK WITH US

Total Club Value: $30,000

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Our Anti-Oppressive Sliding Scale Fee Structure

Grant Writing Boss Club Gets Results

We want your testimonial up here next.

Here's Your Core Training Syllabus

UNIT 1

Know Yourself

Narrow in on your Genius & (re)Design your Services

UNIT 2

Fill your Pipeline with Online Marketing

Automate Your Prospects

UNIT 3

Get Legit

Set Up your Business, Create Rock-Solid Contracts, & Protect Yourself

UNIT 4

Go from Pipeline to Signed

Get Clients Signed Consistently and Quickly

UNIT 5

Design Work Processes that Guarantee Great Experiences for You & Your Clients

UNIT 6

Free Your Mind

Prepare Yourself to Build Wealth, a Legacy of Good, & Personal Freedom

UNIT 7

Build Wealth

Don't Just Get Paid, Create Financial Freedom For Yourself & Everyone You Work With

UNIT 8

Create a Team

Hiring and Managing Grant Writers

UNIT 9

Create & Sell Digital Products

Earn passive income + gain another client funnel through online offers

REGISTRATION OPENS SOON

Here's What You'll Create

01

Your Service Sheet

02

Your Marketing Materials

03

Your Client & Subcontractor Contracts

04

Your Client Pipeline Materials

05

Your Client Work Processes

06

Your Budget, Cashflow, and Profit First Spreadsheets

07

Your Boss Manifesto

Meet Your Grant Writing Boss