Learn how to kickstart your freelance grant writing business, whether as a full-time income source or a part-time side hustle. We'll cover essential administrative logistics like incorporating your business, choosing a business name, and the benefits of going freelance. Discover the flexibility and earning potential of grant writing, ideal for various life situations. Get tips on setting your services and pricing, and stay tuned for more insights on going full-time or part-time in the next video...
Jun 10, 2025•14 min•Ep. 405
Holly Rustick interviews Éowyn Melaragno, who shares her journey from a career in higher education to becoming a successful grant writer. Éowyn discusses her motivations for transitioning into grant writing, the valuable support she received from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, and the importance of community in building confidence and skills. She reflects on her first client experience, the challenges of navigating client relationships, and the mindset shifts that have helped her thrive in ...
Jun 09, 2025•46 min
In this episode, Holly Rustic, founder and CEO of the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, shares essential tips for starting a freelance grant writing business. Learn where to find clients, the key skills needed, and why you don't need certifications or extensive experience to get started. Holly also discusses the value of practical experience, business acumen, and how to grow your confidence and skills in grant writing. Tune in for expert insights and actionable advice to build a successful freelan...
Jun 03, 2025•12 min•Ep. 404
In this episode, Holly Rustick interviews Tina Maharath, a former state senator turned grant writer, who shares her journey from volunteering in grant writing to establishing her own business, Lobby Edge. Tina discusses her experiences in the Academy, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the importance of networking and marketing in the nonprofit sector. She emphasizes the need for nonprofits to understand the opportunities available through state contracts and the value of hiring lobbyists for fun...
Jun 03, 2025•34 min
Grant pros, we’re spilling the tea! Holly Rustick and Philip Deng (Grantable CEO) dive into the wild world of AI + grant writing—from cheap-clothes tech to deep strategy. If you’re using (or side-eyeing) AI for grant writing, this one’s a must-listen. THIS episode! Grant writers, grab your headphones—because we’re spilling the tea on all things AI! Holly Rustick sits down with Philip Deng, CEO of Grantable, to talk about how AI is shaking up grant writing. From the risks of ‘fast fashion’ tech t...
May 27, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 403
In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Shiloh Holley, founder of Aderworks Consulting, who shares her journey into grant writing and consulting for nonprofits, particularly museums. Shiloh discusses her transition from executive director to consultant, the development of grant writing products, and the challenges faced by museums in securing funding. She emphasizes the importance of diversifying funding sources and using data to inform fundraising strategies. The conversation highlights ...
May 20, 2025•32 min•Ep. 402
We’re gearing up for something BIG—the 2024 Grant Professional Survey Results—and this episode is the perfect lead-in. In this special replay, Rachel Waterman joins us to break down where freelance grant writers stood with their pricing in 2023. We revisit key insights from last year’s survey, including how much grant consultants were charging, how they felt about their pricing, and where gaps still existed across the industry. Because here’s the thing—pricing isn’t just about numbers. It’s abou...
May 13, 2025•29 min•Ep. 401
We have exciting news to share: The Grant Writing & Funding Podcast just hit its 400th episode! 🎉We couldn’t have reached this amazing milestone without YOU—your support, your curiosity, and your drive to make a difference in the nonprofit world. To celebrate, Holly Rustick, our founder and host, is giving you something extra special: an exclusive, FREE 5-part private podcast series, “Inside the Master Grant Template: Private Strategies from Our Signature Framework”, hosted by Holly Rustick...
May 09, 2025•45 min•Ep. 400
Executive Director of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), Mike Chamberlain and Holly Rustick of Grant Writing & Funding to discuss the role of GPA in supporting grant professionals through advocacy, community building, and professionalism. Holly and Mike delve into the importance of job classification for grant professionals, the annual salary and benefits survey, and the future of grant writing in 2025 amidst changing federal policies and economic conditions. They also discuss the in...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min•Ep. 399
This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Interview with Executive Director of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), Mike Chamberlain and Holly Rustick of Grant Writing & Funding to discuss the role of GPA in supporting grant professionals through advocacy, community building, and professionalism. Holly and Mike delve into the importance of job classification for grant professionals, the annual salary and benefits survey, and the future of grant writing in 2025 amidst changing federal policies and eco...
Apr 23, 2025•32 min•Ep. 398
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the grant writing world, but maybe not how you imagine. Sure you could go ChatGPT, put in a Request for Proposal and ask it to produce a grant proposal. But that grant would not get funded. Why? Before AI can produce a quality grant proposal, you need to provide it with your own original content. Today’s AI models need that original content to use, edit, and respond to. In other words, AI grant writing still requires work! In other words, the nonprofit se...
Apr 15, 2025•13 min•Ep. 434
Surprisingly, there are a lot of myths out there about grant writing. From the myth of working on commission to nonprofits not having money to hire grant writers, these myths might hold you back from even starting a career in grant writing. Why are there so many grant writing myths out there? Because a lot of folks aren’t familiar with grant writing or nonprofit organizations in general. Even many folks who start nonprofit organizations aren’t familiar with how they operate, they just have a pas...
Apr 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 433
In this week’s episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Laura Hull, Grant Consultant and founder of Premio Services, LLC. Laura shares her journey into grant writing and how she navigated key transitions in her career—including negotiating for health insurance, building support through hiring, and managing a growing grant writing business as a single mom. This conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to grow a sustainable grant writing business while balancing life, leadership, and impac...
Apr 03, 2025•38 min•Ep. 395
Many grant professionals who are booking out clients and feeling overwhelmed think they need to hire a full-time, credentialed grant writer ASAP. They assume an experienced hire will require less training and be easier to manage. But here’s the truth: hiring a fully credentialed grant writer is NOT the first team member you should bring on. In this episode, we break down why this is a costly mistake and what you should do instead. You’ll learn: ✅ Why hiring a credentialed grant writer is your mo...
Apr 02, 2025•9 min•Ep. 431
The world feels uncertain, but your grant writing business doesn’t have to be. In this episode, we talk about why waiting for the "right time" can cost you opportunities—and how leaning into change can set you up for success. I’ll also share exciting updates about our Grant Professional Mentorship, including new Innovation Calls designed to help you pivot, expand, and double your revenue in 2024. 👉 Doors to the Mentorship close this Friday, and we may not re-open in 2025! If you’re serious abou...
Apr 01, 2025•12 min•Ep. 430
If you're a freelance grant writer or running a service-based business, there comes a point where you hit a financial and time ceiling. To scale beyond $50,000 to $100,000 per year, outsourcing is crucial. In this episode, we explore when and how to hire grant writers to help you grow your business without burnout. Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship close on Friday, April 4th at 11:59 pm EST. The Grant Professional Mentorship is a 12-Month Group Coaching Mastermind for Grant Professional...
Mar 31, 2025•25 min•Ep. 429
Join Holly and hundreds of folks who signed up for this Webinar, "Double your Grant Writing Business Revenue, by Writing Fewer Grants, During any Administration". The doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship! The Grant Professional Mentorship is a 12-Month Group Coaching Mastermind for Grant Professionals to Double Your Business Revenue with a Team, Systems, and Scalable Offers - without Burning Out. We have limited seats available. Seats are first-come, first-served. Once our sea...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 49 min•Ep. 428
In this conversation, Isatou Bittaye-Jobe shares her journey from being an in-house grant writer to becoming a freelance grant writer specializing in grassroots social justice organizations. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in the funding landscape, particularly the shift from federal to foundation grants. Isatou emphasizes the importance of mentorship and community support in her business growth, highlighting how delegation and team building have allowed her to achieve a better wo...
Mar 19, 2025•39 min•Ep. 427
Go behind-the-scenes of the Grant Professional Mentorship with Dr. Cheri Westmoreland of Spirit Excel. Doors to the Grant Professional Mentorship Close on Friday, April 4th, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-professional-mentorship In this episode, Holly Rustick interviews Dr. Cheri Westmoreland, CEO of Spirit Excel, who shares her extensive experience in grant writing and management. Dr. Westmoreland discusses her journey from federal grants to foundation grants, th...
Mar 18, 2025•27 min•Ep. 426
You may need to restructure your grant writing business in 2025. Meaning three main things need to be re-evaluated: Offers Systems Team There has been a lot going on with grants in the last month, and there will be changes in 2025. Does that mean all grant funding is gone, or will your clients dry up? No. But you may need to get back to the heart of your business. Pivoting is a word you may bring back into your vocabulary this year. Knowing what service offers to keep, what to double down on, an...
Mar 12, 2025•11 min•Ep. 425
As a freelance grant writer, or freelancer in general, are you keeping track of your time? One of the biggest flaws I see is that freelance grant writers don’t keep track of their time. Why is tracking your time so important? Because our time is our most valuable asset. What Happens When Freelancers Don’t Track Their Time When freelance grant writers don’t track their time, they underestimate how much time the following takes: Writing grants How much time to write a foundation grant How much tim...
Mar 11, 2025•15 min•Ep. 424
Joy Maxwell, Owner and Lead Advisor of ARK Advising, joins us to share her journey from working in the nonprofit sector to launching her own successful business. She opens up about the financial challenges, mentorship, and community support that shaped her path, as well as how shifting to a retainer-based model helped her increase revenue while creating a more sustainable work-life balance. We also explore how she navigates the intersection of nonprofit work and business strategy, manages evolvi...
Mar 10, 2025•50 min•Ep. 423
Holly Rustick and Fielding Jezreel discuss the transformative experience of the Grand Professional Mentorship, focusing on Fielding's journey from a toxic job to becoming a successful grant consultant. They explore the importance of accountability, community support, and financial strategies in navigating the challenges of running a grant writing business. Fielding shares insights on developing a federal grants course and the significance of having a supportive network of peers. The discussion e...
Mar 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 422
In this week’s Podcast we go behind-the-scenes with Fielding Jezreel of Jezreel Consulting. In this conversation, we discuss: How to know if you are ready for federal grants How to build internal readiness Why organizations should not assume that federal grants aren’t accessible Today’s climate of federal grants Tune in today to listen to this podcast. About Fielding Jezreel Fielding Jezreel specializes in helping nonprofits plan and apply for federal grants. She is a trainer, coach, and federal...
Feb 27, 2025•43 min•Ep. 421
What’s really happening with federal grants right now—and what does it mean for your nonprofit? In this behind-the-scenes episode, Rachel Werner of MyFedTrainer.com joins us for a “fly-on-the-wall” conversation recorded live with Academy and Mentorship students, who also had the opportunity to ask questions in real time. We break down recent changes in federal grant funding, including an overview of grant allocations over the past month and what nonprofits should be aware of in the current polit...
Feb 27, 2025•39 min•Ep. 390
We are moving through a new era in federal grant writing. For access to federal grant funds during this new Trump Administration in 2025, nonprofits need to be more aware of what types of words you are using, and are not using, in your grant applications. We have always said that grant writing is a word game, and the types of words you use play a big part in how you construct a grant. With the Trump Administration in 2025, though, we have not experienced the sheer elimination of word usage in fe...
Feb 27, 2025•21 min•Ep. 419
You might be thinking grant writing isn’t your thing because you have a ‘low’ grant success rate or haven’t secured any or much money for organizations yet. Or maybe you, as a Freelance Grant Writer, think your business isn’t great because other Freelance Grant Writers’ posts on LinkedIn get so much more engagement. Stop comparing yourself to others. This is “comparasitis” and will make you stop learning grants or stop selling your grant writing services. In this week’s episode, Holly Rustick ex...
Feb 09, 2025•33 min•Ep. 418
With all the news this week about the federal grant freeze, many of you may be wondering: “Is grant writing even going to be needed during this Administration? Can I even get grant writing clients during this Administration?” I get it. There is a lot of commotion this week surrounding federal grants (we've been keeping track of it - follow me on LinkedIn or Instagram for more updates). But…what I also know about Administrations AND grant writing, is…yes, you can secure grants and clients during ...
Jan 31, 2025•14 min•Ep. 417
In this episode, Holly Rustick addresses what to do when things feel chaotic in the grant world and your clients are looking to you for guidance. She shares practical strategies you can use right now to support nonprofits, including how to advocate for funding, evaluate budgets, and explore all possible revenue opportunities. Holly also dives into when to broaden versus double down on funding strategies, the importance of hosting strategic planning sessions, and why prioritizing self-care is ess...
Jan 31, 2025•17 min•Ep. 416
Join Holly Rustick and Christina Royster, CEO of Cape Fear Grant Solutions, as she discusses how she managed to learn how to write grants, open her business and earn $30,840 in her freelance grant writing business, and work on her novel in her MFA program – all in less than a year. Doors to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy close this Sunday, Feb. 2nd at 11:59 pm EST. Replace Your Full-Time Income, on Flexible Hours, Writing Grants from Home – just like Christina. Tune in to listen to this podc...
Jan 31, 2025•32 min•Ep. 415