Explore how cause-driven giving, advocacy, and innovation are reshaping nonprofits in 2025 and beyond. Tune in to listen to Micheal Thatcher from Charity Navigator. In this conversation, Holly Rustick speaks with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, about the evolving landscape of nonprofit evaluation and philanthropy. They discuss the launch of new funds, trends in giving, and the importance of advocacy in the nonprofit sector. Michael shares insights on how giving patterns are changing,...
Jul 08, 2025•38 min•Ep. 409
Navigating political divides in fundraising—learn how connection, storytelling, and strategy can drive nonprofit success. In this conversation, Holly Rustick and Kamy Akhavan discuss the intersection of politics and fundraising, emphasizing the importance of human connection in nonprofit work. They explore how social division impacts community engagement and fundraising efforts, while also highlighting opportunities that arise from chaos. The discussion underscores the need for emotional storyte...
Jul 01, 2025•25 min•Ep. 408
Go behind the scenes with Global Development Solutions and their 2024 Freelance Grant Writer Pricing Survey! Rachel Waterman and her team have done a 3rd annual Pricing Report! We love everything about this! Find out what freelance grant writers are pricing their grant writing surveys. About Rachel Waterman, GPC, CFRE Rachel Waterman is a thinker, published author, award winning researcher, professional artist and mother of two with over 25 years of community development and grant writing experi...
Jun 24, 2025•53 min•Ep. 407
In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Gabrielle Perry, a successful grant writer who shares her journey of transitioning from a 9-5 job to running her own grant writing business. Gabrielle discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of community and mentorship, and how she has achieved significant financial success through value-based pricing and building a strong brand. She emphasizes the personal transformation she has experienced, gaining confidence and freedom in her professi...
Jun 20, 2025•24 min
Join Payton, Dr. Lauren, and Daphney to discover how they made their first $100,000 inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. Find out more about the Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy
Jun 19, 2025•1 hr 16 min
Listen to how Gabrielle, Christina, and Eowyn all got their first grants or clients inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy.
Jun 19, 2025•41 min
This episode is from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy “Cultivating Community: Peer Spotlights and Networking” with our very own co-coaches - Gwen Valentino and D Abshire! They share about how they got into grant writing, what their biggest challenges have been, what has been useful in changing their lives in the Academy, and what they see students doing inside the Academy that get the most results! Takeaways - they both now have FREEDOM and Choices! Gwen shares how she has 13X the amount of re...
Jun 17, 2025•53 min•Ep. 406
Here are 5 reasons you should join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy in this Round (i.e. before the doors close on June 22nd). #1) Live Discovery Sales Call Day Lab: Learn, Practice, Convert Happening on Tuesday, June 24th at 2:30 pm - 5pm EST (replay available) We will have a LIVE SALES CALL DAY for Academy students. This will be part of our annual live trainings! #1 - I’ll do a Sales Call training (my 5-Step Proven Process to have high-converting calls) #2 - We have mock sales calls (to show ...
Jun 12, 2025•16 min
BONUSES END JUNE 13th, 2025***Not sure where to start with a freelance grant writing business? It sounds amazing, but you just don’t know where to start. Should you start with getting grant writing skills? Should you start with a website? Should you start reaching out to nonprofits? Do you need to start learning (or honing) grant skills first? This can feel overwhelming. And overwhelm can lead to taking NO action. That’s why when you join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy by Friday, June 13th a...
Jun 12, 2025•10 min
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is the #1 Grant Writing and Nonprofit Business Acumen Program in the Industry …and the doors are finally open! 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 to learn grant writing and business acumen. Plus, there are 2 amazing bonuses available when you join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy by Friday, June 13th at 11:59 pm EST: BONUS #1 ***NEW BONUS: Done-4-You F...
Jun 12, 2025•1 hr 49 min
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