You'll Start on the Grant Writing Boss Pathway

You'll start with the Visionary Phase and progress through each phase as your earnings increase. Each phase has 15-18 mini-lessons that break down the most essential tasks for your phase down and helps you accomplish them easily.

Already past the Visionary phase (or beyond)? Then we recommend quickly going through the curriculum for earlier phases to make sure you haven't missed any of the basics. You might find there are some crucial steps you haven't done yet. Once you mark those off, you can progress to the next phase.

Where You Are

As a Visionary, you might be thinking about becoming a consultant. You haven’t taken any major action yet to get clients or make your first dollar or you’re just getting your first few clients. You want to grow your business so that you can either leave your current job or maybe even start making money for the first time in a while.

What You'll Do in this Phase

The Visionary phase is all about starting strong. We'll teach you how to set up the essential elements of your business—everything from registering your business to landing your first (or next) client! This phase is designed to help you gain confidence, build momentum (and revenue), and lay the groundwork for future growth.

Where You Are

As a Builder, you’re no longer just starting out. You’ve secured clients, delivered high-quality work, and established some foundational systems in your consulting business. Now, it’s time to grow your business by creating sustainable systems, increasing efficiency, and expanding your client base.

What You'll Do in this Phase

In the Builder phase, we’ll help you create the systems and processes that will allow you to scale your business and manage multiple clients effectively. This phase is all about refining your workflow, optimizing your operations, and setting up sustainable practices that will help you grow. You might even hire your first team member and will begin to build your financial systems for scaling.

Where You Are

As a Boss, you’ve moved beyond the foundational work from the Visionary and Builder levels and are now focused on scaling your business even further. If you identify as female, you’re in the top 5% of all female* entrepreneurs in the United States. If you identify as male, you’re in the top 17% of all male* owned businesses in the United States. Congrats!

What You'll Do in this Phase

The Boss phase is all about refining your systems, expanding your team, and positioning yourself as a true leader in the grant writing field. You’re not just working for clients—you’re building a business that can run efficiently, generate steady income, and position you as a thought leader in the industry. We'll help you become strategic and leverage your time and resources to maximize your impact.

Where You Are

As a Mogul, you have a team, more advanced systems that are helping you scale, and you're now known as a leader in the grant writing field. You might be wondering what's next. First, we have to celebrate you. If you identify as female, you’re in the top 3% of all female* entrepreneurs in the United States. If you identify as male, you’re in the top 11% of all male-owned businesses in the United States. Be proud of all that you've accomplished at this phase.

What You'll Do in this Phase

In the Mogul phase, you'll make some big decisions about how you want to participate in your business. If you want to still be an integral part of daily operations and actual grant writing, you can, but you can also choose to focus on business development, thought leadership, passive income, and succession planning. We'll help you figure all of that out (plus how to manage the huge profits you're making).

Grant Writing Course

Learn to write grants with our grant writing course, Grant Writing Made Easier, which is included in your Boss Club membership. This mega-course includes training on how to find and evaluate grants, write a standard grant narrative, use AI to elevate all parts of your grantseeking, conduct strategic planning, get organizations grant ready, and get nonprofit teams organized. This course is beneficial to all levels of grant writer, from beginner to advanced.

Grant Writing Made Easier is worth 23.5 CFRE Continuing Education points.

AI Training & Templates

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.

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.

“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.

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

- Sheila Fleming

WesCourt Advisors

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. You'll receive our discovery call questionnaire so that you can vet prospects before getting on a call with them. Once you do take a discovery call, you can use our discovery call script and slides that you can revise to move clients from consideration to acquisition. Then once you sign your client using our proposals and contracts, you can use our

client onboarding templates to make the process smooth for everyone.

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 trained educators. 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. My co-leader, Dr. Stephanie Weaver, has the same education plus even more years of experience teaching university writing. We 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.

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 $70k+ 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?

-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 explore Grant Writing Boss Club.

Grant Writing Boss Club

When You Join

Where You Are

What You'll Do in this Phase

Where You Are

What You'll Do in this Phase

Where You Are

What You'll Do in this Phase

Where You Are

What You'll Do in this Phase

Daily: Online Chat

Weekly: Power Hour Co-working

The Boss Club Directory

AI Training & Templates

Our AI Grant Writer

Tech Discounts

New! Work Shadowing Program

Job Board

Grant Writer Certification

Total Club Value $32,000

Registration is Now Open

Our Anti-Oppressive

Sliding Scale Pricing

Grant Writing Boss Club

Gets Results

We want your testimonial up here next.

Registration is Now Open

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

Krista Kurlinkus, Ph.D.

What Makes Grant Writing

Boss Club Different?

Hear from More

Boss Club Members

Heather Scaled Her &

Her Husband's Businesses

Sandy Got 10 Clients

by Word-of-Mouth

Zen Says We're Her #1 Grant Writing

with AI Resource

Danette Shares How She 4x'ed

Her Income Using AI for Grant Writing Strategies

Learned in Grant Writing Boss Club

Kyoni Says Boss Club Goes Beyond Grant Writing and is Life-Changing

Sheila Says No Other Program

Offers What We Offer

Justina says her Ph.D. in Nonprofit Management Didn't Offer Anything Close to What We Taught

(& It's Amazing!)

Patience Gained the Confidence and Systems to

Take Her First Paying Client

After Only Doing Pro-Bono

Grant Writing For Years

Registration is Now Open

Here's Why Now

is the Time

Your Month

in Boss Club

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration is Now Open

Still have questions?