Grant Writing & Funding - podcast cover

Grant Writing & Funding

Quit your toxic nonprofit job and replace your full-time income while writing grants part-time, from home! Join our students in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy to create Financial Stability and Flexibility through writing grants for causes you are passionate about: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy World-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick provides coaching that helps new and experienced grant writers replace their full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or anywhere they want to live or travel in the world). She coaches changemakers to master grant writing and start to grow 6-figure+ grant writing businesses on part-time hours via her signature group program, “Freelance Grant Writer Academy." As an unapologetic feminist, Holly’s work in coaching female grant writers to master grant writing, find their cause-area niche, and navigate value-based pricing and nonprofit sales is breaking glass ceilings for women all over the world. Every week, she coaches thousands of people through the top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. Holly has 20 years of experience in grant writing, and began her freelance grant writing journey back in 2005. While teaching in Kuwait and Indonesia, and then earning a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy in Belgium, Holly saw the light of setting up a virtual-based business in grant writing back in the mid-2000s. Having secured more than $45 million of dollars for nonprofit organizations, and then setting up a multi 6-figure freelance business, Holly has a mission to help female grant writers break out of toxic nonprofit J-O-B-S and create high-level income while freelance grant writing. Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, students have secured more than $225+ million in grant funding and $4+ million in revenue in their grant writing businesses within two years. To amplify this work, she is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Guam Business Advisory Task Force as an advisor to the first female governor of Guam. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. If you are interested in replacing your full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or from anywhere in the world!) join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy! www.grantwritingandfunding.com.
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Episodes

Bonus Ep. Can I Quit my 9-5 and do Freelance Grant Writing or do I have to Keep my Job?

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is Now Open 🎉 The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours. Doors close on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST. 👉 Join the Academy https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/ In this podcast episode, Holly Rustick discusses how to transition from a 9-5 to freelance grant writing. ______...

Oct 24, 20247 minEp. 384

Bonus Ep. Don’t Think You Have the Time to Write the Number of Grants to Get Paid Well?

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is Now Open 🎉 The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours. Doors close on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST. 👉 Join the Academy grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-g…ter-academy In this bonus podcast episode, Holly Rustick discusses how you don't need 40 hours a week to learn how to write grants and start...

Oct 24, 202412 minEp. 383

Bonus Ep: Even Introverts Can Get Nonprofit Clients for their Grant Writing Businesses

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is Now Open 🎉 The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours. Doors close on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST. 👉 Join the Academy https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy In this podcast episode, Holly Rustick discusses how introverts can get grant writing clients. __________________...

Oct 24, 202411 minEp. 382

BONUS: Get Your Nonprofit to Pay for the Academy

In this episode, Holly Rustick speaks directly to grant writers who may feel stuck working in a toxic nonprofit environment or operating on a restricted income. She shares a powerful strategy many of her Academy students use—getting their nonprofit to pay for their grant writing training. Holly explains why this makes sense, especially if you’ve been tasked with writing grants without formal training, and how to position this opportunity as a win-win for both you and your organization. If you’re...

Oct 23, 202413 minEp. 381

Do Nonprofits Have Money to Hire You for Your Grant Writing Services?

Nonprofits will happily hire you for your grant writing services. Says hundreds of freelance grant writers and nonprofits that I, and Academy students, have worked with. A nonprofit is a business. It is just a not-for-profit business, meaning all profit goes back into the business. They still need to pay for some (or all) of the following: Rent or lease a space Procure materials (paper, printers, etc.) Hire staff AND CONSULTANTS Buy computers Pay for water and power and maintenance Purchase vehi...

Oct 22, 202421 minEp. 380

Bonus Episode: Everything Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is the #1 Grant Writing and Nonprofit Business Acumen Program in the Industry. Each part of the Academy is a simple process, even if you work a full-time job. You get 12 months to do the curriculum, community, and coaching: Learn the Legacy Skills of Grant Writing & Business Acumen In the first 30 days, whether you are new to grant writing or experienced, you will increase your grant writing skills and understand how to strategize as a grant writer. In less...

Oct 22, 202443 minEp. 379

Alex 10X Her Investment in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy in 7 Months

This episode is truly special as we delve into the incredible journey of Alex Schubert, a passionate grant writer and consultant who managed to 10X her investment in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy within just seven months. Alex joins us to discuss the transformative power of a supportive community, the importance of clear service offerings, and the mindset strategies that drove her business growth. Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or just starting out, this episode offers practical adv...

Oct 21, 202448 minEp. 378

Staci went from Burned Out Executive Director to Make $49K in Freelance Grant Writing

Staci Nelson joined the Academy to streamline her business and within 7 months was able to make $49,000 in her freelance grant writing business! She has leaned into utilizing the Academy unlimited grant reviews to grow her grant writing confidence and grant writing structure in her business. This has helped her deliver the highest quality resources for her clients. Staci also had mindset coaching in the Academy on how to be confident in her pricing even when grants don’t get awarded. Tune into h...

Oct 20, 202444 minEp. 377

Antoinette Quit her Teaching Job and Doubled Her Revenue as a Freelance Grant Writer

Antoinette Ethridge shares her inspiring journey of building a successful freelance grant writing business after joining the Academy, generating $42,750 in revenue and securing $25,000 in grant funding for her clients. She walks us through how she quickly gained momentum, landed her third client, and confidently left her 9–5 job within just a few months. We also dive into how she was able to double her revenue in a single month, the strategies that helped her grow fast, and what made the biggest...

Oct 18, 202445 minEp. 369

Replay "Create a Profitable Grant Writing Business with Little to No Experience"

🎉Doors to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST. The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours. 👉 Join the Academy https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy This is a bonus episode of the entire REPLAY of the Webinar that was held on Tuesday, Oct. 15th "Create a Profitable Grant Writin...

Oct 17, 20242 hr 25 minEp. 375

Do You Need Grant Writing Experience to Get Paid as a Freelance Grant Writer?

Getting grant writing clients without winning any grants can feel akin to being a college graduate. You may have some skills, but don’t have any real-world experience. Let’s talk about how you can easily bridge the gap with some real-world examples of folks from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy , who were exactly where you are. Within four months, Jen, who left her corporate job at HBO and lives in Florida, secured more than $260,000 in grant funding (writing her first grants) and booked out w...

Oct 15, 202420 minEp. 374

How Nija Stopped Giving Discounts for her Grant Writing Services and Made $55K in 9 Months

In today’s episode, we dive deep into the importance of knowing your worth and setting professional boundaries in your grant writing business. We have the pleasure of speaking with Nija Rivera from Gritty Grants Consulting, who shares her inspiring journey of transforming her grant writing practice by adhering to essential business policies. Nija discusses a pivotal moment where she realized the detrimental impact of offering discounts for her services. This important lesson in valuing her work ...

Oct 11, 202441 minEp. 373

Everything You Need to Know about Grant Writing Certification

If you are wondering if you need a grant writing certification to pursue grant writing and get clients, you don’t need one. But some people are still interested in getting a grant writing certification due to external or internal reasons. Let’s examine these: External Considerations for a Grant Writing Certification A nonprofit might ask you if you have a certification during a Discovery Call. When a nonprofit prospect asks you this question, really they are asking how experienced you are. So if...

Oct 08, 202423 minEp. 372

Sarah Replaced her FT Job within 4 Months as a Freelance Grant Writer

In this episode, our guest, Sarah Rowe, is not just a successful freelance grant writer but also a devoted mother. Within an astonishingly short period of four months, Sarah was able to replace her full-time job’s income, thanks to her newfound skills in grant writing. What makes her story even more compelling is how she achieved this remarkable success while being able to stay home with her 4-year-old daughter. Sarah’s journey is a testament to the empowering possibilities that come with master...

Oct 03, 202458 minEp. 371

What Aspiring and Seasoned Grant Writers Need to Be Doing in Quarter 4

In this solo episode, Holly Rustick dives into what both aspiring and seasoned grant writers should be doing in Quarter 4 to increase confidence, attract clients, and boost revenue. She shares how to strategically plan for the final stretch of the year, engage clients effectively, and implement revenue-generating tactics that set you up for success now and into 2025. Holly also debunks common myths—like nonprofits not hiring at the end of the year—and offers practical strategies for time managem...

Oct 01, 202440 minEp. 363

Ethical Grant Writing Sales Series #5: Ask Questions Before Booking Sales Calls

In this episode, Holly Rustick dives into a critical but often overlooked part of running a successful grant writing business—qualifying your leads before ever getting on a discovery call. Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, Holly shares how having a structured vetting process, including key pre-call questions, helps ensure that potential clients are serious and aligned with your services. She explains why saying yes to every inquiry can quickly lead to burnout, especially as more people ...

Sep 27, 202418 minEp. 362

Ethical Grant Writing Sales Series #4: It's Ethical to Not Give Discounts

We discussed how to price your grant writing services in the last episode , but now we are going to something more nuanced in ethical sales. It’s ethical to NOT give discounts on your grant writing services. Here’s the thing. Because you are choosing to do Value-Based Pricing , you are confident in your pricing. So why would you give a discount if you already figured out your fair price? Here are some reasons you give a discount when a nonprofit asks you for one in a discovery sales call (let me...

Sep 27, 202416 minEp. 368

Ethical Grant Writing Sales Series #3: Price Your Services with Value-Based Pricing

Pricing. I get the most questions about this when it comes to folks selling their grant writing services. “What should I price my grant writing services for?” The word that needs to change to ease the nervous system is to change ‘what’ to ‘how’. I can’t tell you, “Oh yeah, charge $150 per hour” because we don’t promote hourly for one thing, but there are a variety of other factors that come into play. To figure out how to price your grant writing services, we do recommend Value-Based Pricing . T...

Sep 27, 202419 minEp. 367

Ethical Grant Writing Sales Series #2: Create Services that Make Sense for Nonprofits

When it comes to selling your grant writing services, there are a few critical things you need to understand first. You need clarity on: Who you are working with What their expectations are What the reality of grant funding looks like And how long it actually takes to get results Without this foundation, it’s easy to overpromise, undercharge, or misalign with your clients. The good news? Even if you’re brand new to grant writing, this is something you can absolutely figure out. Whether your expe...

Sep 27, 202416 minEp. 359

Ethical Grant Writing Sales Series #1: Learn how to Write High-Quality Grants

Imposter syndrome is something so many grant writers face—especially when you’re building or growing your business. But here’s the truth: one of the most effective ways to overcome imposter syndrome is to build confidence in your grant writing skills. When you intentionally invest in improving your skills, you naturally begin to trust your abilities more. You start to see what you’re capable of—and that confidence carries over into how you show up, communicate, and sell your services. However, t...

Sep 27, 202416 minEp. 358

How Bridget Secured $89K in Her Grant Writing Business with Retainers in 8 Months

In this episode, we delve into the impressive success story of Bridget Lomax, founder and principal of WordSource. Bridget joins us to discuss how she secured an astounding $89,000 in her grant writing business within just eight months, using a strategic approach focused on retainer-based pricing. Bridget will share her journey from feeling uncertain about raising her rates to confidently pricing her services, all with the support of our specialized academy. She'll also reveal how the consistenc...

Sep 24, 202451 minEp. 364

Behind-the-Scenes of GEMS 3.0: How to use Grant Management Software Everyday

Rachel Waterman is the CEO and Founder of GDS Grants and has over 25 years of experience in community development and grant writing. In this episode, Rachel Waterman discusses the different grant management services available in GEMS, how to use GEMS as an onboarding tool, and the AI technology that’s available for grant writing processes. She also explains how to streamline your grant writing process, track multiple grant applications, and find potential funders. About Rachel Waterman Rachel Wa...

Sep 17, 20241 hr 16 minEp. 363

In 6 Months Grace went from Volunteering to a $30K raise and a Remote Grant Writing Job

Grace Scamurra is a grants professional, writer, and educator with over 15 years of experience supporting youth in education and wellness programs. In this episode, Grace Scamurra explains how to become a freelance grant writer, get paid for writing grants, and how the academy helps grant writers. She also talks about the importance of pricing grant writing services correctly, what’s included in a master grant application template, and how freelance grant writers can get support. About Grace Sca...

Sep 10, 202442 minEp. 362

How to Talk to Nonprofit Boards When Pitching Grant Writing Services

This episode, Sabrina Walker-Hernandez explains what you should include in your sales calls with nonprofits, the tone you should use when talking to a board of directors, and why some nonprofits need a dedicated grant writer. Sabrina Walker-Hernandez is the CEO of Supporting World Hope and has over 25 years of experience in nonprofit management, fundraising, and leadership. In this episode, Sabrina Walker-Hernandez explains what a grant strategist does, the expectations nonprofits should have wi...

Sep 03, 202436 minEp. 361

From Agency Owner to Nonprofit Marketing Consultant to Coach

This episode, Christina Edwards explains the process of pricing grant writing services, how to effectively network, and different marketing strategies grant writers can use. Christina Edwards is a marketing expert and coach who helps ambitious social impact businesses and nonprofits increase revenue, supporters, and engagement. In this episode, Christina Edwards explains how online grant writing services can be scaled, how freelance grant writers can charge more for their services, and why some ...

Aug 27, 202450 minEp. 360

Increase Your Retainer Nonprofit Clients by Niching Services and Marketing

Are you trying to grow your grant writing business—but feel like you’re spinning your wheels? In this episode, Patrick Kirby, Founder of Do Good Better Consulting, shares what grant writers really need to focus on to build a sustainable and profitable business. With nearly 15 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, Patrick breaks down why finding a niche is critical—and how it can actually make marketing your services easier and more effective. We also dive into where grant writers tend to...

Aug 20, 202449 minEp. 352

A 3-Year Journey of Growing a Grant Writing Agency

This episode, Sheleia Phillips explains how to grow a grant writing business, different ways to make your grant writing business more enjoyable, and the benefits of having an anchor client. Sheleia Phillips is the Founder and Principal Consultant at SMP Nonprofit Consulting and has dedicated herself to the growth and development of nonprofits for nearly ten years. In this episode, Sheleia Phillips explains her journey moving from working as a freelance grant writer to becoming the CEO of her own...

Aug 13, 202446 minEp. 358

How Niching Down with Federal Housing Grants Helped DeaRonda Scale her Grant Writing Agency

Ready to grow your grant writing business and better serve nonprofits—especially those under new leadership? In this episode, DeaRonda Harrison, founder and President of June First Firm, shares how she helps nonprofits transform their organizations through strategic grant writing and development support. We dive into how to understand and pursue federal contract grants, what it takes to become a professional grant writer, and how to consistently attract and increase your client base. DeaRonda al...

Aug 06, 202445 minEp. 350

Bonus Ep: 5 Reasons You Aren’t Hiring or Retaining Your Team

***Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship are open until August 2nd, 2024 Join Now or Book a Sales Call: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship The Grant Professional Mentorship is a 12-Month Group Coaching Mastermind where Grant Professionals Double Your Revenue with a Part-Time Team, Systems, and a Scaling Offer - Without Burning Out. Holly Rustick is a world-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author who has been coaching grant writers on how to ...

Jul 30, 202423 minEp. 356

BONUS EP: REPLAY OF THE WEBINAR "DOUBLE YOUR REVENUE WITH PART-TIME TEAM"

***Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship are open until August 2nd, 2024. Book now: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship Holly Rustick is a world-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author who has been coaching grant writers on how to run successful 5-6 figure businesses since 2017. In this episode, Holly shares the 3 strategies to overcome burnout and to hire a part-time team for your grant writing business, without slashing your owner's pay. Bo...

Jul 28, 20242 hr 15 minEp. 355
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