From Music to Grants: How Cara Built a Thriving Freelance Career

The Unexpected Career Path: A Musician's Journey into Grant Writing

Many of us spend years searching for that perfect career fit - the one that aligns with our passions, skills, and lifestyle goals. For Cara, a professional musician and saxophonist, this search led her down an unexpected path into the world of grant writing. Her story is a testament to the power of embracing new opportunities and the transformative impact of finding the right community support.

From Saxophones to Subcontracts: Cara's Initial Steps

Cara's journey began with a desire for more flexibility in her schedule. As a professional musician with a studio of students, she needed a career that would allow her to continue teaching and performing while providing a stable income. This search led her to the grant writing community, where she discovered an opportunity to blend her creative skills with her desire to make a positive impact.

When Cara first joined the grant writing collective, her goals were modest. She simply hoped to recoup her investment in the program. Little did she know that this decision would set her on a path to earning $15,000 in just nine months, securing three retainer clients, and planning a transition to full-time consulting in the coming year.

The Snowball Effect: From Subcontracting to Success

Cara's success didn't happen overnight. It began with subcontracting opportunities within the collective, which provided her with valuable experience and connections. One of the most significant milestones in her journey was the chance to work on a federal grant project. The success of this project not only boosted her confidence but also became a powerful selling point when seeking new clients.

"Just being able to tell potential clients that I've had even federal grant experience helped me be able to get more work," Cara explains. This experience exemplifies how each small success can lead to bigger opportunities in the freelance world.

Balancing Two Passions: Music and Grant Writing

One of the most inspiring aspects of Cara's story is how she's managed to maintain her identity as a musician while building a successful grant writing career. Rather than abandoning her musical pursuits, she's found a way to integrate both passions into her life.

"I love doing both," Cara shares. This balance allows her to continue teaching and performing while also pursuing her new career in grant writing. It's a powerful reminder that career transitions don't always mean leaving behind our existing skills and passions.

Overcoming Challenges: The Power of Persistence

Cara's journey wasn't without its challenges. Prior to discovering grant writing, she had worked with a career coach and conducted numerous informational interviews, none of which led to viable opportunities. This experience could have been discouraging, but Cara's persistence ultimately led her to success in the grant writing field.

"I really wasn't sure if diving into that process again was going to work," Cara admits, "but I took the leap and I just started reaching out again, and this time planting those seeds and having those conversations did work."

This experience highlights the importance of persistence in career transitions. Sometimes, the right opportunity doesn't present itself immediately, but continuing to network and explore can eventually lead to success.

Expanding Horizons: Beyond Music-Related Organizations

While Cara's background in music initially seemed to point her towards working with performing arts organizations, she's found success and fulfillment in expanding her client base. She's worked with organizations in fields as diverse as equine psychotherapy for trauma survivors and veterans, and maternal health programs in hospitals.

This willingness to explore different sectors has not only broadened Cara's experience but also allowed her to make a larger impact. "I love that we get to help like a variety of organizations and people and causes," she says. "It allows us to create a bigger impact."

The Value of Community Support

Throughout her journey, Cara has emphasized the importance of the support she received from the grant writing collective. This community provided her with education, a starting point, and ongoing support - all crucial elements in her successful career transition.

"The collective has given me the education, a starting point, a community of support to get started," Cara explains. This highlights the value of finding the right community when embarking on a new career path.

Looking to the Future: Entrepreneurial Aspirations

As Cara looks ahead to 2025, her goals are ambitious. She plans to officially start her own business, transitioning to full-time consulting. Her experience subcontracting has prepared her well for this next step, giving her insight into how to mentor and support others who are just starting their grant writing journeys.

"I can't wait to be able to do consulting full-time," Cara shares. "I love working with my clients, love hearing about their work, I love collaborating with them, I love strategizing with them."

The Impact of Funding Strategies

One of the most rewarding aspects of Cara's work has been developing funding strategies for organizations. These strategies provide tangible plans for organizations, often revealing funding sources they weren't aware existed.

"Every funding strategy meeting I've had with the organizations I've worked with, they are so grateful and thankful and excited about the final deliverable that we bring to them," Cara says. This work allows her to make a real difference in the capacity of these organizations to pursue their missions.

Lessons Learned: The Power of Informational Interviews

Cara's experience has taught her the value of informational interviews in the grant writing field. Unlike her previous career search, where informational interviews didn't lead to opportunities, in grant writing, these conversations have been crucial to her success.

"I've learned that there really is a great need for grant writers in many of our communities," Cara explains. "And so now many of the clients and the organizations I've worked with have come from referrals and connections from people that I spoke to many months ago."

This underscores the importance of networking and relationship-building in the grant writing field. Cara advises approaching these conversations with curiosity and openness, understanding that they may not lead to immediate opportunities but can plant seeds for future collaborations.

The Intersection of Fundraising and Grant Writing

Cara's background in nonprofit fundraising and development has proven invaluable in her grant writing career. Her experience with donor stewardship and major gift support has given her a deep understanding of the nonprofit landscape.

"Just having the fundraising knowledge has been helpful obviously to make this transition because I do understand nonprofit landscape," Cara explains. This knowledge has allowed her to more easily bridge the gap between her previous experience and her new career in grant writing.

Advice for Aspiring Grant Writers

For those considering a career in grant writing, Cara's journey offers several valuable lessons:

1. Embrace flexibility: One of the key attractions of grant writing for Cara was the flexibility it offered. This allowed her to continue pursuing her musical career while building a new one.

2. Be open to diverse opportunities: While Cara initially thought she'd focus on music-related organizations, she found fulfillment in working with a variety of causes.

3. Leverage your existing skills: Cara's background in fundraising gave her a strong foundation for grant writing. Look for ways your current skills can transfer to this new field.

4. Persist in networking: Even if initial attempts don't yield results, continue reaching out and building connections. These relationships can lead to opportunities down the line.

5. Seek community support: Joining a supportive community of grant writers provided Cara with education, opportunities, and ongoing support.

6. Be patient: Success doesn't happen overnight. Cara's journey took several months before she saw significant results.

7. Stay curious: Approach each new project and organization with curiosity. This openness can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.

The Future of Freelance Grant Writing

As Cara looks to the future, her story highlights the potential for growth and success in the field of freelance grant writing. With organizations increasingly relying on grants for funding, the demand for skilled grant writers continues to grow.

Moreover, the flexibility and potential for entrepreneurship in this field make it an attractive option for those seeking to build a career on their own terms. As Cara's experience shows, it's possible to create a thriving business while also making a significant impact on nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve.

Conclusion: Finding Your Path

Cara's journey from professional musician to successful grant writer is a powerful reminder that career paths are rarely straightforward. Her story encourages us to remain open to new opportunities, to persist in the face of challenges, and to seek out communities that can support our growth.

As Cara puts it, "I feel like I've just finally found what I'm supposed to be doing." For many, this sense of purpose and alignment in their work can feel like a myth. But Cara's experience shows that with persistence, flexibility, and the right support, it's possible to find a career that not only provides financial stability but also aligns with our values and allows us to make a meaningful impact.

Whether you're considering a career in grant writing or exploring other professional transitions, let Cara's story inspire you to take that leap. Remember, every journey begins with a single step, and you never know where that step might lead you.

Key Takeaways from Cara's Journey

1. Embrace unexpected opportunities: Cara's transition from music to grant writing shows the value of being open to new career paths.

2. Leverage existing skills: Her background in music and fundraising provided a strong foundation for her new career.

3. Persist in networking: Even when initial attempts don't yield results, continued networking can lead to valuable opportunities.

4. Seek community support: Joining a supportive community can provide education, opportunities, and ongoing encouragement.

5. Balance multiple passions: Cara's ability to maintain her music career while building her grant writing business shows it's possible to pursue multiple interests.

6. Expand your horizons: Working with diverse organizations can lead to greater impact and personal growth.

7. Value of tangible deliverables: Providing concrete plans, like funding strategies, can be incredibly valuable to clients.

8. Entrepreneurial mindset: Cara's journey from subcontracting to planning her own business highlights the entrepreneurial potential in grant writing.

9. Continuous learning: Each new project and organization provides an opportunity to learn and grow.

10. Impact-driven work: Grant writing allows for making a significant impact on organizations and communities.

As we conclude Cara's inspiring story, it's clear that the path to finding fulfilling work may not always be straightforward, but with persistence, openness to new opportunities, and the right support, it's possible to build a career that aligns with your passions and values. Whether you're considering a career in grant writing or exploring other professional avenues, let Cara's journey inspire you to take that first step towards your own career transformation.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfC5irlfd3k