Ep. 287: Alejandra’s Journey to Becoming a Niche Expert in Environmental Grant Writing

In this episode of Grant Writing & Funding, host Holly Rustick welcomes guest Alejandra Salazar, a seasoned grant writer and consultant in the environmental sector. Alejandra shares insights into their career journey, experiences with nonprofit organizations, and the challenges and rewards of being a freelance grant writer. Through their story, we gain a deeper understanding of the importance of mentorship, the need for strategic grant writing, and the value of setting fair prices in the industry.

With the support of the Grant Professional Mentorship program, Alejandra was able to position her business, Social Environmental Design Project, to focus on helping small and medium-sized environmental NGOs increase funding and impact. Alejandra emphasizes the scarcity of environmental organizations in Mexico and Latin America, despite the region's rich biodiversity. She explains that the nonprofit sector in these areas, particularly small and medium organizations, face challenges due to limited funds. As a grant writer and consultant, Alejandra aims to work with larger NGOs to develop and design grants for international donors. This strategic approach allows her to maximize impact and secure larger funding sources.

Building on her experience working with various NGOs in Mexico, Latin America, and Central America, Alejandra highlights the importance of strategic project design. She explains that social and environmental problems are complex and unpredictable, necessitating careful project structuring to achieve desired results. Alejandra's expertise in biodiversity, conservation, and grant writing allows her to identify gaps and areas of improvement in project design, ultimately increasing the chances of success.

As a freelance consultant, Alejandra appreciates the freedom and flexibility that comes with her role. She has the opportunity to lead projects and make decisions without hierarchical boundaries experienced within larger organizations. This autonomy allows her to bring her expertise to the forefront and provide reliable advice to NGOs. Alejandra's proficiency in both the language and subject matter makes her a valuable asset to her clients.

She also shares how the Grant Professional Mentorship has helped her business, which now allows for personal activities and family time, while also serving a specific population at affordable rates. Setting fair prices has been a learning process for Alejandra. Initially feeling ashamed of charging higher rates, she soon realized the importance of valuing her skills and expertise. Her shift in mindset allowed her to recognize the significance of charging what she is worth in order to invest in herself, grow her business, and improve her services.

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Holly Rustick
Expert Grant Writer & Bestselling Author

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