Grant Writing & Funding

From Freelance Grant Writing on her own to joining the Academy and Earning $40,200 in 30 Days

From FT Job to Laid Off to $7K in Grant Writing in 3 Months

If you got caught in getting laid off in Academics, Health, or Research in 2025 have you considered being a freelance grant writer? This is what Caitlin did and it paid off. In this episode, Holly Rustick chats with Caitlin Doran, a student in the Academy and the brains behind Katydid Communications. Caitlin opens up about her leap from getting laid off from a large academic medical center to the world of freelance grant writing. Caitlin shares how crucial networking and leaning on her connectio...

Government Shutdown 2025: How is it Impacting Grant Funding?

Welcome to this episode of Grant Writing & Funding with your host Holly Rustick and special guest Rachel Werner, CEO of RBW Strategy Consulting and principal of My Fed Trainer. In this insightful conversation, Holly and Rachel break down the complexities around the 2025 government shutdown and its direct impact on federal grants, nonprofits, and grant writers. #grantwriting #grantwriter #government #governmentshutdown #federalgrants #nonprofitfunding #nonprofit #grantfunding #trumpadministra...

Get Clients as a Grant Writer 5-Part Series: #5 Stop Basing Your Success on Grants Won

A lot of grant writers feel like they are in an impossible situation when asked about their ‘grant writing success rate’. As if the only measurement of your success as a grant writer is based on the grants you have won. Some places on the internet state that there are ‘good’ percentage win rates for grant writers. Honestly, ‘grant writer success rates’ are crap. If you are working with start-up nonprofits, chances are your wins could be less than working with larger, established nonprofits that ...

Get Clients as a Grant Writer 5-Part Series: #4 Stop Overpricing in 2025

A concept that I have been talking about this year is doing the MVP. Now you may have heard the term MVP before, with the acronym standing for Minimum Viable Product. But my MVP concept stands for Minimum VALUE Product. You want to deliver something more than just a ‘viable’ product, hence the word ‘VALUE’. What I have seen after working with more than 300 freelance grant writers in 2025 (and literally more than 1,000 over the last 10 years) is that many of you are all adding fluff to your contr...

Get Clients as a Grant Writer 5-Part Series: #3 Stop Overworking

You may be thinking about learning how to write grants and you think it will take too much time OR you may be a freelance grant writer and be stuck in client work. What I have seen after working with more than 500 freelance grant writers in the last two years (and literally thousands over the last 10 years), is that many of you are overworking yourselves. Why are you doing this? Well, let me know if this sounds familiar: You are taking the ‘employee’ mentality into your freelance grant writing b...

Get Clients as a Grant Writer 5-Part Series: #2 Stop Calling Yourself a Grant Writer

You don’t just write grants. You are a grant strategist. You just aren’t positioning yourself as one. We are seeing that Academy students who are leaning into positioning themselves as a Grant Strategist vs. Grant Writer are doing BETTER this year in booking out their businesses. What a Grant Strategist Does in 2025-2026 Stays on top of changes in grants (at least in your cause area: i.e., DOE grants, etc.) Attends new webinars for grants and makes ‘go or no-go decisions’ on grants for nonprofit...

Get Clients as a Grant Writer 5-Part Series: #1 Stop Writing Grants

Changemakers in the Academy have made $3,470,242 (and growing every day) in their grant writing businesses so far in 2025. 🔥 They’ve also secured more than $48 million in funding for their clients. 🤑 How are they doing it? They are utilizing our Grant and Funding frameworks built on 20+ years of experience. One mantra that I have always had is, “Don’t be 100% reliant on grant funding.” I might be known as the grant writing girlie, but I’ve actually helped organizations get a lot of diverse fun...

Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants from Home

Join Holly to hear how you can earn an extra $10,000 in 90 days writing grants from home. She will give you case studies on what freelance grant writer students (inside the Academy and Mentorship) are doing to secure grants and clients in 2025, why nonprofits have money in 2025 to hire you as a freelance grant writer, and 3 steps to make extra money writing grants (even if you are new to grants). Tune in today!

How Dr. Annise Mabry Secured $2.7M in Grants

Today on Grant Writing & Funding , Holly Rustick sits down with Dr. Annise Mabry bestselling author, and multi-stream revenue builder. We dive into how she’s secured $2.7M+ in grants while in the Academy , landed multi-million-dollar rural infrastructure wins , balanced a nonprofit with a grant services business, priced her services with confidence . Tune in today to listen to this podcast. To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcas...

Should Freelance Grant Writers Submit Grants on Behalf of Your Clients?

In this episode, Holly Rustick dives into a nuanced topic that many freelance grant writers grapple with: Should you, as a freelancer, submit grants directly on behalf of your clients, or should your clients always be the ones submitting? Holly unpacks the different approaches, shares best practices, and explores the implications for liability, client capacity-building, and business strategy. Tune in today to listen to this podcast. To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwri...

Reframing Grant Rejection

In this heartfelt episode, Holly dives deep into the topic every grant writer faces but rarely wants to talk about—grant rejections. She reminds us that denials are a natural (and frequent!) part of the grant writing world, often for reasons outside your control, like shifting funder priorities or geographic focus. Holly shares her own experiences, how even seasoned grant writers get rejected, and why your worth is not tied to every grant outcome. You’ll also get practical tips on navigating tho...

Mastering Grant Prospecting: Free & Paid Tools for Success

We dive into the essentials of grant prospecting, covering both free and paid tools. Learn how to find funders, understand RFPs, and utilize top software like Grants.gov, Instrumental, and Foundation Directory Online to secure grants for your organization. Whether you're a seasoned grant writer or a newbie nonprofit, discover insights and strategies to enhance your grant-seeking process. Tune in today to listen to this podcast. To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritinga...

What Saves Grant Writers Hours Every Week (it's not AI)

Freelance grant writing comes with freedom—and a lot of moving parts. If you’re juggling multiple clients, deadlines, and reporting requirements, you need more than a spreadsheet. You need a system that saves time without adding complexity. Join us for this live panel replay where fellow freelance grant professionals share how they use Grant Management Made Easy to stay organized, meet deadlines, and keep clients happy—without burning out. You’ll hear directly from 4 amazing grant professionals ...

What Is Grant Writing?

Ever wondered what grant writing actually is and how you can start even without a degree, certification, or years of experience? In this video, Holly Rustick, CEO of Freelance Grant Writer Academy and Grant Professional Mentorship , breaks down grant writing in its simplest form: connecting mission and money . Tune in today to listen to this podcast. To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/ "Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podca...

90 Days Off Per Year and $17K More Money: The Math of Freelance Grant Writing

Discover how you can earn significantly more and work less as a freelance grant writer compared to a full-time nonprofit job. Join Holly Rustic, owner of the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, as she breaks down the math, showing you how freelancing can result in higher earnings and more free time. Learn about potential incomes, expenses, and the benefits of freelancing, including greater flexibility and vacations. Explore additional resources to improve your grant writing skills, set up your busin...

How to Get Corporate Sponsors for your Nonprofit

In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Cynthia Currence, author of Beyond Checks and Halos , to explore how nonprofits can build impactful, long-term partnerships with corporations to increase funding, expand reach, and boost community impact. Cynthia shares real-world strategies for creating win-win collaborations between nonprofits and for-profits, moving beyond transactional sponsorships to meaningful, mission-aligned relationships. Together, they discuss how nonprofits can position th...

Grants Beyond Borders: How Sophie Grew Her Grant Writing Team from Her Home in South Africa

In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Sophie Olivier, the CEO and founder of Flourish Fundraising , who shares her journey in grant writing and fundraising from South Africa. Sophie discusses the unique challenges and opportunities in the South African nonprofit sector, the importance of understanding different grant types, and the value of templates and adaptability in grant writing. She emphasizes the significance of grant readiness, building client relationships, and the impact of gl...

My Superpower? Turning Every ‘No’ Into a ‘Yes’ with Grants, Sales Calls, and the Mentorship

Learn about my super power - turning a no into a yes: from winning grants, to securing nonprofit clients, to having changemakers join the Grant Professional Mentorship. See this in action, as not knowing how to do this is hurting your grant wins and holding you back from getting clients.

Mindset & Strategy Behind Growing Your Grant Writing Business in 2025

The word for grant writers to embrace in 2025 is current. This can be used in many ways, but one is that of following a current in a river. There might be rocks in the way, and sometimes it feels like a strong current, but remembering there is flow and change is vital. And currents aren't a bad thing, either! We need them so the waters aren't stagnant. Tune in today to be inspired by everything grant consulting in today's new world of grant writing.

Ginny Secured $3.5 Million in Grants 18 Months When She Left Her Fundraising Job

In this inspiring conversation, Holly Rustick sits down with Dr. Ginny Blankenship, founder of Lightmaker Grants and Strategy , to explore her unexpected path into grant writing and how she built a thriving business from the ground up. Ginny opens up about the challenges and opportunities in today’s grant landscape, the power of community and mentorship, and the lessons she’s learned about growing strategically while staying true to her mission. Whether you’re just starting your grant writing jo...

Kia Created Systems to Hire a VA and start a Blog in her Grant Writing Business

In this inspiring episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Kia Chatmon , founder of Heart for the Community Consulting , to explore her journey from working in the nonprofit sector to building a thriving grant writing and consulting business. Kia opens up about the diverse cause areas she serves—ranging from health and education to youth development—and shares the exact systems she’s put in place to streamline operations, improve client onboarding, and free up her time. From the power of networking...

Grant Writing is Not Dead in 2025

Is grant writing still a viable business in 2025? YES—and here’s the proof. In this episode of the Grant Writing & Funding podcast, Holly Rustick breaks down what’s happening in the U.S. federal grant landscape in 2025 and how freelance grant writers are still building thriving, high-income businesses even during times of funding uncertainty. Tune in today to listen to this podcast. To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/ ABOUT...

Lydia moved to Germany—and raised $2.5M for Environmental Justice in 2025 for For-Profits

In this bonus episode, Holly Rustick interviews Lydia Vollmann, founder of Grant Our Community, discussing her transition from federal grants to for-profit opportunities, the integration of AI into her work, and the decision to move to Germany. Lydia shares insights on environmental justice, the importance of mentorship, and her recent move to Germany, highlighting the flexibility and independence her career has afforded her. The conversation emphasizes the value of networking and collaboration ...

Work Smarter, Not Harder: How to Hire Help and Streamline Your Grant Writing Business in 2025

Tune into the Replay Training: "Work Smarter, Not Harder: How to Hire Help and Streamline Your Grant Writing Business in 2025."

Courtney Left Her Job, Hired Her Husband & Mom, and Now Helps Arts Orgs Fund Big Dreams

In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Courtney Oliphant, CEO and founder of Coastal Nonprofit Consulting. Courtney shares her journey from working at a performing arts small nonprofit to starting her own consulting business. She discusses how she added services (and hired her husband full-time and her mom) to help performing arts nonprofits and organizations impacted by 2025 grant changes, the importance of being inside the Grant Professional Mentorship when hiring help, and how her bus...

I've Spent $97,403 On Freelancers For My Grant Writing Business : Here's What I learned

In this episode, we delve into the crucial lessons learned from spending over $97,403 on hiring freelancers and agencies for a grant writing business. Discover the importance of developing the right hiring mindset, knowing which roles to hire for and when, setting clear job descriptions, and using test projects to find the best candidates. Join us for actionable tips and insights to enhance your hiring process and drive your business forward. ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK Grant Writing & Funding (GWF)...

Proven Steps to Book Out Your Freelance Grant Writing Business

In this episode of the Grant Writing and Funding podcast, host Holly Rustic shares proven strategies to help freelance grant writers find and secure clients. Holly discusses the importance of short-term, medium-term, and long-term lead generation methods, including leveraging personal and professional networks, social media, and hosting training events. She also provides insights into the benefits of creating a newsletter, investing in ads, and using SEO to scale up your grant writing business. ...

Mastering Grant Writing Pricing Models

Holly shares her expertise in grant writing and nonprofit sales strategies to help freelance grant writers create stable incomes and flexible schedules. Holly discusses the challenges of pricing grant writing services accurately and introduces the three primary pricing models: hourly, retainer, and packaging. She emphasizes the importance of value-based pricing and offers steps to determine fair pricing. Tune in today to listen to this podcast. To learn more about the podcast episodes go to http...

Grant Writing Pricing Models Explained: Hourly, Package & Retainer

In this episode Holly delves into the various pricing models for freelance grant writers, emphasizing the importance of tracking time to accurately estimate pricing. She discusses the drawbacks of charging on commission and explains why it is against best practices. Holly presents three core pricing models: hourly, package, and retainer, outlining the pros and cons of each. She shares tips on setting up effective retainer agreements for consistent cash flow and highlights the importance of valui...