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Grant Writing & Funding
Holly Rustick
494 episodes
4 days ago
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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Non-Profit
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All content for Grant Writing & Funding is the property of Holly Rustick and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
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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Non-Profit
Education,
Business,
How To
Episodes (20/494)
Grant Writing & Funding
From Nonprofit Service to Securing $1M+ in Grants: Veronica’s Journey to Advocacy and Freedom

Veronica Kulon, CEO of VK Empowerment Solutions, shares her journey from starting a business to becoming an advocate for her clients after joining the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. 


She had been full-time with her business (and working part-time at a job) but she still wasn’t tapping into her financial goals. It wasn’t until she joined the Academy, and got some mindset coaching, that she was then able to secure $1 Million in grants for her clients and $42K in her grant writing business - in just three short months.


She even started law school while in the Academy, so she can advocate for her social justice nonprofit clients even more. 


Veronica is truly a beacon of nonprofit light in 2025!


About Veronica Kulon

Veronica Kulon, MNM, GPC, began her career as a grant professional in 2012 after obtaining her Master's in Nonprofit Management. With 14 years of experience in the field of grants, she has raised over $22 million from foundations, corporations, and government funders for nonprofits in the areas of poverty alleviation, homelessness, education, workforce development, community development, mental health services, and social justice initiatives. Her mission is to grow the capacity of organizations to meet the needs of underserved communities. 


As Founder and Principal Consultant of VK Empowerment Solutions LLC, Veronica partners with nonprofits, businesses, educational institutions, and public sector agencies to build capacity, secure funding, and drive systemic change. She has also held Grants Manager positions with well-established nonprofits in Atlanta's human services sector and served as a Grant Writer in the Office of Research at Kennesaw State University, where she supported institutional diversity, equity, and inclusion goals through external funding. In addition to her consulting work, Veronica began law school this year at Atlanta's John Marshall Law School to further her commitment to advancing justice and equity. She continues to mentor emerging grant professionals and volunteers with nonprofits advocating for individuals and communities impacted by systemic racism. Veronica holds the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) credential, is a member of the Grant Professionals Association, and currently serves as Vice President of the Georgia Chapter.


Connect with Veronica Kulon

Website

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 Podcasts

Favor, please?

If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick
Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!

Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid”  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
———————————————————————————

This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!
This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 
———————————————————————————

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5 days ago
30 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Student Panel "First $100K in the Academy" and Open House "Is the Academy For Me?" Bonus Pop-Up Podcast

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


This is a POP-UP Bonus Podcast, meaning it WILL disappear soon! It's a replay from our Student Panel, "First $100K in the Academy" and Open House "Is the Academy for Me?"

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1 week ago
2 hours 18 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
How a Social Worker made $149,000 in her Freelance Grant Writing Business in 90 days

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


Dr. Eve McGee shares her inspiring journey from the social work sector to more than doubling her revenue and impact as a freelance grant writer.  She went from a draining job to starting her own grant writing business. 


The first year in her own business, with no support was isolating and hard, though. 


So she joined the Freelance Grant Writer Academy.


Within 9 months, she went from earning $1,050 in her business (in ONE year) to nine months later going to $149,000. She also was able to secure $294,500 for her social service clients.


Tune in today to see how she did this! (spoiler alert: she binged the Academy’s CEO mindset videos, got help from me and our coaches on her packages and pricing, and got her grants reviewed with our unlimited grant reviews).



About Dr. Eve McGee

Dr. Eve McGee has dedicated her career to advancing social change. With a background in social work practice and nonprofit leadership, she has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by social service nonprofits, navigating limited resources, securing sustainable funding, and delivering impactful programs to vulnerable communities.


As a seasoned social worker with three decades of direct practice experience, Dr. McGee has worked in community-based organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions. She has held multiple nonprofit leadership positions and specializes in program design, implementation, and grants management.


Dr. McGee is an advocate, strategist, and problem solver. She holds a doctorate in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master's degree in social work from the University of Kansas. She also serves on the boards of directors for the Research College of Nursing, the Community Mental Health Fund, and Eitas.

Connect with Dr. Eve McGee

  • Email 
  • Website
  • Book a Sales Call 
  • LinkedIn 

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 Podcasts

Favor, please?

If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick
Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!

Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid”  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
———————————————————————————

This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!
This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 
———————————————————————————

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1 week ago
24 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Academy FAQ Series #6: How Do I Pay Off the Academy or Get an ROI?

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


You may be wanting to join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, but are wondering HOW to pay for it. Find out with these 8 ways. The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is  a 12-Month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program to help aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home.


Doors close to the Academy on Friday, Oct. 24th at 11:59 pm EST. This is the final time doors will be open in 2025. 

https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


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2 weeks ago
20 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Academy FAQ Series #1: Is Grant Writing a Shiny Object

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


You may be wondering if grant writing is a shiny object this year. I'm here to say NO. Grant writing is needed. The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is also NOT a shiny object as it's a 12-Month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program to help aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home.

Doors close to the Academy on Friday, Oct. 24th at 11:59 pm EST. This the final times doors will be open in 2025. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

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2 weeks ago
16 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Academy FAQ Series #2: Is Now a Good Time to Become a Grant Writer?

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


You may be curious if 2025 is a good time to be a grant writer. YES! Nonprofits need you NOW more than ever and are streamlining their budgets to hire freelance grant writers vs. staff grant writers.  The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program to help aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home.


Doors close to the Academy on Friday, Oct. 24th at 11:59 pm EST. This is the final time doors will be open in 2025. 

https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


Show more...
2 weeks ago
11 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Academy FAQ Series #5: Should I Join the Academy if I don't have a Network?

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


You may be wondering if you can get grant writing clients if you don't have a network, email list, or social media following. YES. Our Academy students get clients without websites, email lists, or on social media.  The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program to help aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home.


Doors close to the Academy on Friday, Oct. 24th at 11:59 pm EST. This is the final time doors will be open in 2025. 

https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


Show more...
2 weeks ago
5 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Academy FAQ Series #4: Can I Join the Academy if I Have NO Grant Writing Experience?

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


You may be wanting to join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, but have no grant writing experience. That is FINE. Changemakers who have never seen a grant before all the way to seasoned 20+year grant writers get value inside the Academy. You learn grant writing and business acumen in our #1 in the Industry program. The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program to help aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home.


Doors close to the Academy on Friday, Oct. 24th at 11:59 pm EST. This is the final time doors will be open in 2025. 

https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


Show more...
2 weeks ago
9 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Academy FAQ Series #3: How Much Time Does it Take in the Academy to Learn Grant Writing and Get Clients?

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


You may be wondering how long it takes to learn grant writing and to get a paying client in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. You can do it within 90 days.  The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program to help aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home.


Doors close to the Academy on Friday, Oct. 24th at 11:59 pm EST. This is the final time doors will be open in 2025. 

https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


Show more...
2 weeks ago
10 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Academy FAQ Series #7: Should I Join the Academy if I already Have a Freelance Grant Writing Business?

THE DOORS CLOSE TO THE FREELANCE GRANT WRITER ACADEMY ON OCTOBER 24TH. CLICK HERE TO JOIN FOR THE FINAL TIME IN 2025: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


You may be interested in joining the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, but aren't sure if it's for you since you already have a freelance grant writing business. If you don't have recurring income, filled out your client pipeline, or are still confused about your offers, marketing, or sales... then yes. The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program to help aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home.


Doors close to the Academy on Friday, Oct. 24th at 11:59 pm EST. This is the final time doors will be open in 2025. 

https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


Show more...
2 weeks ago
11 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
From Freelance Grant Writing on her own to joining the Academy and Earning $40,200 in 30 Days
2 weeks ago
30 minutes

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

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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 connections were in landing clients. Plus, she talks about how the coaching calls in the Academy, and the community itself, have been game-changers in getting such a huge ROI in her business quickly.


About:

Caitlin Doran is the founder of Katydid Communications, a strategic communications consultancy specializing in health and science. She previously led communications for a $48M NIH-funded research center at a large academic medical center. 

Now she helps nonprofits, scientists, health advocates, and entrepreneurs translate complex health and science topics into messaging that secures funding and sustains their work.

Connect with Caitlin Doran

-Website

-Email
-LinkedIn

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 Podcasts

Favor, please?

If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick
Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!

Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid”  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
———————————————————————————

This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!
This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 
———————————————————————————

Show more...
2 weeks ago
29 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
Government Shutdown 2025: How is it Impacting Grant Funding?

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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 
#trumpadministration 

✅ How the current government shutdown is affecting grant applications, drawdowns, and reporting
✅The real-time impact on nonprofit cash flow, reporting deadlines, and staffing
✅Major regulatory changes and executive orders influencing eligibility and compliance for federal grants
✅The increased need for "grant strategy" over just "grant writing"
✅Practical risk planning and collaboration tips for organizations navigating uncertain funding
✅How the future federal budget may shape grant program priorities—expect major shifts toward workforce development, rural areas, and technology/infrastructure

🔔 Subscribe for more grant writing and nonprofit strategy tips!

➡️ Get My BOOK The Beginner's Guide to Grant Writing: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/book

🌐 Grant Writing & Funding Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com

Connect with Rachel Werner on LinkedIn for real-time updates and expert advice: Rachel Werner on LinkedIn

Explore training and resources tailored for grant professionals at myfedtrainer.com

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to keep up with all our grant writing & funding episodes.

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3 weeks ago
36 minutes

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

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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 already receive grant funding. 
  • If you are working with certain cause areas, it might not be as ‘sexy’ to fund the cause area during these times as funding another cause area. 
  • If you are working in certain geographic areas, it may not be as easy to win grants for that area vs. other areas.

There are so many reasons outside of a grant writer's control that make ‘grant success rates’ bogus.

Not convinced yet? Let’s flip it on its head. 

Holly has only ever written one grant and it gets awarded for $500.

Jonathan wrote 100 grants and got 70 awarded for a total of $13 million. 

Holly has a 100% grant success rate vs. Jonathan with a 70% grant success rate.

See how this can be flippant?

What is a better measurement of success are your deliverables.

1. Helping nonprofits develop and build relationships with funders

Because of the work that our students have done with helping their nonprofit clients develop relationships with funders, in 2025 those funders reached directly out to their clients and offered more money or unrestricted funding (without the nonprofit even asking).

One student said “My equity-focused client had a Foundation reach out to them to award an emergency $100K grant with NO action needed to receive it (no application!) just because of the political climate, recognizing that now is the time they need support.”

2. Developing Master Grant Templates that help the organization get clarity

When you are creating Master Grant Templates for your clients, this will help ground a visionary Executive Director and engage the board in more effective ways. 


This is VERY valuable,  even if you never write grants for the organization, because you help the organization stop mission drifting and burning everyone out. 


The board also gets clear on what needs to get done, how much funding is actually needed (instead of ambiguous figures), and they become more involved.

3. Getting things organized to preserve institutional knowledge

What does this mean? Well, you get all the documents organized (or developed) that nonprofits need when submitting grants. I can’t tell you how many nonprofits don’t know where their IRS Tax Exemption letter is, haven’t developed a budget for a program, or have bios for their board members.

Even if they do, chances are it is all on one person’s computer, in folders only that one person can understand, and if that person leaves (or their old computer crashes) everything is lost.

4. Creating a grant prospecting calendar with aligned funders

Having a strategy to submit to 15-20 aligned funders over a period of time vs. 100 applications over a weekend is a surer strategy to get funding.


This is hugely valuable to know how to find funders that align and will be competitive to get funding.

5. Not burning out the entire Executive Director with (last minute) grant writing 

Having a grant writer, actually write grants, instead of an Executive Director working an entire weekend is VERY valuable. Even if all of your grants don’t get awarded, you are doing the work so they don’t have to. 

When you go into a Sales Call as a grant writer, you need to emphasize the other value of work (not just grant wins). 

Remember, you are not just a grant writer. You are a grant strategist. Even if you never win a grant (which many organizations won’t get in their first year), you are building the capacity for grants, and other types of funding, for the nonprofit. They will be READY to receive any type of funding and be able to manage and implement it.


Find out more about the Freelance Grant Writer Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


Show more...
3 weeks ago
15 minutes

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

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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 contracts thinking it will help sell, BUT IT ONLY MAKES YOU OVERPRICED.


This is an important note, especially in 2025 when streamlining is the word for every organization.


In 2025 and 2026, nonprofits and organizations want:

  • grant funding 
  • to know the ways to get them to that funding
  • to be updated on what is going on in the grant funding world.

You need to do the work that will DRIVE forward the MOST VALUE for your client, without fluff. 

  1. Figure out what is the minimum you can do to GET VALUABLE Results. 
  2. Cut out the fluff from your contracts. 
  3. Price appropriately.
  4. Stop delivering more than what you are getting paid to do.

Now, I am not saying to take out what is important, but I am asking you to examine what needs to get done now and to what depth.


Overpitching right now doesn’t make sense. And it probably makes you overpriced.

  • If you can get results by writing 15 grants, stop pitching to write 35 grants.
  • If that full-on Nonprofit Wellness Audit can be cut down to a DIY (vs. Done-For-You), then do it.
  • If finding 25 grant funding prospects vs. 50 grant funding prospects makes sense, do it.
  • If weekly meetings can be cut to monthly, do it.
  • If live meetings can be turned into loom wrap-up videos you send over, do it.

Cut the work down for you so you can do the MINIMUM VALUE PRODUCT for your clients right now.

To find out more about how hundreds of freelance grant writers determine their Minimum Value Product, join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/

Show more...
3 weeks ago
10 minutes

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

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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 business AND ARE scope-creeping, i.e. doing work OUTSIDE of your deliverables.

Your client also has a tipping point of value from you. 

If you deliver the value you both agreed to delivering (i.e. X number of grants in X timeframe for $X) then they should be happy.

But…

  • You want your client to ‘like’ you, so you overwork
  • You feel bad a grant didn’t get awarded so you ‘work for free’ on one

You think this overworking makes them value you, but here’s what happens:

  • Your clients feel weird because they aren’t sure if they should pay you more
  • Or worse yet, they may expect you to overwork in the future. 

Then this results:

  • You feel bitter at the client because you set them up with an unsustainable expectation.

Stay within the bounds of your contract. Put together a scope of work that will get them results AND STAY WITHIN IT.


They agreed to the price and deliverables. You agreed to doing them.


This is GOLDEN and it’s why most people join the Academy who have existing freelance grant writing businesses. 

You can run a streamlined and neutral business that delivers value and makes your clients happy. 

You can feel and BE appreciated for your scope of work.

Find out more about the Freelance Grant Writer Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/


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3 weeks ago
10 minutes

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

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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 nonprofits
  • Meets monthly with clients and lets them know of updates, tasks, etc.
  • Prospects for grant funding
  • Creates strategies for their clients to develop relationships with funders (can be easy as a script)
  • Writes grants after talking through budgets, priorities, and work plans with nonprofits
  • And more…

If you already are a grant writer, you have already done the above. You just haven’t marketed yourself with the above OR given yourself the permission to take a beat from the writing and lean into the above more (even though you know it’s vital).

Here’s your permission.

Organizations need to focus on running their nonprofits/organizations. They need you to pay attention to the grant funding side. 

AND Nonprofits and organizations are PAYING grant writers to be grant strategists in 2025 and for the foreseeable future.


We got the receipts. 

It’s no surprise that overall our students (like any sizable sample size of grant writers in 2025) raised LESS grant money as compared to 2024 (obvi, with all the grant freezes, etc.).

  • 2024, our students won: $138million in grants
  • 2025 (to date), our students won: $48million in grants

That’s a huge difference and it makes sense with all the pauses at the beginning of the year. This is NO surprise as this hit across the sector. While some grant writers saw no impact, many federal grant writers got hit at the beginning of the year.

AND IT’S STILL A LOT OF MONEY THAT WE WERE ABLE TO WIN!

Literally millions of dollars. 🤯

BUT what’s super interesting here is the money student MADE in their freelance grant writing businesses, i.e. clients paid them:

  • 2024, our students made: $4.1million money in their businesses
  • 2025 (to date), our students made: $3.4+million in their businesses

This is MIND BLOWING as it proves that dollar signs are NOT the only reason organizations are hiring you!

We are ON TRACK for students to MAKE MORE MONEY in their businesses in 2025 vs. 2024!

Organizations need your mind as a grant strategist in 2025, and for the rest of time. 

Find out more about the Freelance Grant Writer Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


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3 weeks ago
14 minutes

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

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.



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 funding.

And I’m doing that today, and teaching others how to do it.

With the number of grants going out over the last four years, it was easy for us grant writers to lean into just writing grants. 

But it hasn’t always been like that. I’ve helped nonprofits with:

  • Corporate solicitations
  • Individual donor campaigns
  • Giving Tuesday campaigns
  • Social media and newsletters
  • Website copy
  • Presentations
  • Fundraising events
  • Consultations
  • And more

We have added these trainings into the Academy this year. 

And students have diversified their services for nonprofit clients. 

They aren’t just writing grants. They are doing other things.

These are called Funding Assets.

When you take your Master Grant Application and repurpose it into a Corporate Solicitation Letter, this is now a Funding Asset.

So for many Academy members, they are getting more clients this year because they take our Funding Asset training (and templates and resources) and then integrate them into their services.

Starting in November, we have our 6-Week Live Master Grant Template training where Academy members will learn how to create a Master Grant Template and how to repurpose it into other funding assets for their clients.

For more about the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, go to: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


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3 weeks ago
16 minutes

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

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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!

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3 weeks ago
38 minutes

Grant Writing & Funding
How Dr. Annise Mabry Secured $2.7M in Grants

Join the Free, Live Training, "Earn an Extra $10K in 90 Days Writing Grants at Home" on Tuesday, October 14th at 4 pm - 5:30 pm EST. Click here https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar.


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-podcast/

"Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

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If you love this podcast, would you please do me a favor and leave a review on iTunes or your podcast listener?

This helps others find the podcast and I read each and every review!

“Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something” <– If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show!

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick
Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!

Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid”  https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
———————————————————————————

This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!
This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems 
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3 weeks ago
42 minutes

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.