Courtney Left Her Job, Hired Her Husband & Mom, and Now Helps Arts Orgs Fund Big Dreams

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In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Courtney Oliphant, CEO and founder of Coastal Nonprofit Consulting. Courtney shares her journey from working at a performing arts small nonprofit to starting her own consulting business. She discusses how she added services (and hired her husband full-time and her mom) to help performing arts nonprofits and organizations impacted by 2025 grant changes, the importance of being inside the Grant Professional Mentorship when hiring help, and how her business has evolved to be a grant and funding agency. 

Takeaways:

• Courtney's journey began in the nonprofit sector, leading her to grant writing.
• She transitioned to consulting to create more flexibility in her life.
• The first year of business was focused on reaching $100K in revenue.
• Hiring contractors was essential to manage workload and prevent burnout.
• Joining the Grant Professional Mentorship program helped her overcome mental blocks and set appropriate rates.
• The business has expanded to include comprehensive fundraising plans.
• Collaboration among nonprofits is becoming increasingly important for funding.
• Foundations are pooling resources to support organizations facing funding challenges.
• Building deeper relationships with existing donors is key to increasing donations.
• The mentorship program provided valuable resources and community support for growth.

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction to Courtney Oliphant and Her Journey

02:50 - Transitioning to Consulting and Business Growth

05:34 - Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change

08:31 - Strategic Growth and Mentorship Impact

11:17 - Expanding Services and Family Business Dynamics

14:07 - Adapting to Market Changes and Client Needs

15:46 - Collaborative Approaches in Grant Making

18:51 - Individual Giving Trends and Strategies