Grant Writing & Funding cover art

Grant Writing & Funding

Grant Writing & Funding

Written by: Holly Rustick
Listen for free

About this listen

 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.All rights reserved Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • What Grant Writers Need To Know About Major Gifts And Donor Relationships

    What Grant Writers Need To Know About Major Gifts And Donor Relationships
    Jan 13 2026

    Join the FREE, LIVE Training, "How to Make $10K/Months Writing Grants from Home in 2026 (No degree, No Experience, No 40-Hour Work Weeks)" on Wednesday, Jan. 21st from 4:30 pm - 6 pm EST. Register here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar


    Grant funding doesn’t happen in a vacuum. In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Jeff Schreifels of Veritus Group to unpack why relationships—not just strong proposals—drive funding decisions, donor loyalty, and long-term financial resilience. A must-listen for grant writers navigating today’s shifting funding landscape.


    ABOUT OUR GUEST

    With over 30 years in the nonprofit sector, Jeff is a pioneer of

    relationship-centered fundraising. Under his leadership, since 2009

    Veritus has helped increase mid and major gift revenue and decrease

    donor value attrition for hundreds of non-profits worldwide that have

    adopted the “Veritus Way” of mid and major gifts.


    CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

    Veritus Groupwww.veritusgroup.com
    Check out our Blog! And our twice-monthly podcast!
    Read our book to learn how It's Not JUST About the Money.


    OTHER RESOURCES:

    • Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. 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/
    • Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

    RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

    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!


    Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.


    Thanks for listening!


    Warmly,

    Holly Rustick

    Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.


    ———————————————————————————


    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 Show Less
    44 mins
  • November 2025 Report: $3.4M In Grants + $526K Earned

    November 2025 Report: $3.4M In Grants + $526K Earned
    Jan 6 2026

    Join the FREE, LIVE Training, "How to Make $10K/Months Writing Grants from Home in 2026 (No degree, No Experience, No 40-Hour Work Weeks)" on Wednesday, Jan. 21st from 4:30 pm - 6 pm EST. Register here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinar



    Funded: $3.4 Million in Grants + $525K+ Earned | November 2025


    In this episode of Funded, we break down what actually happened in grant writing in November 2025 using real data from grant writers inside our programs.


    Here’s what you’ll learn:

    • How much grant funding was secured in one month
    • How much freelance grant writers earned in their businesses
    • What types of grants were awarded (foundation, state, federal)
    • What offers and strategies helped grant writers earn income
    • What this means if you’re considering grant writing or freelancing

      ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK

      Grant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship.

      Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.

      CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK

      Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

      RESOURCES:

      Weekly Newsletter:       “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. 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/

      Grant Professional Mentorship:       Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

      RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST
      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!

      Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.

      Thanks for listening!

      Warmly,
      Holly Rustick
      Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.

      ———————————————————————————
      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 Show Less
    24 mins
  • 11 Trends Every Freelance Grant Writer Needs To Know In 2026

    11 Trends Every Freelance Grant Writer Needs To Know In 2026
    Dec 30 2025
    Join the FREE, LIVE Training, "How to Make $10K/Months Writing Grants from Home in 2026 (No degree, No Experience, No 40-Hour Work Weeks)" on Wednesday, Jan. 21st from 4:30 pm - 6 pm EST. Register here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy-webinarIn this episode, Holly breaks down the top 11 trends freelance grant writers must lean into in 2026. From funder relationships and AI tools to flexibility, movement-centered grant writing, trigger words, diversified funding, and stepping into thought leadership — this is your roadmap for staying ahead in the rapidly shifting grant writing world.You’ll learn:Why funder relationships matter more than everHow to position your freelance business for growthThe role of AI in modern grant writingHow to align your language with fundersWhy flexibility is essential in 2026The power of becoming movement-drivenHow trainings help you expand influence + revenueAnd so much moreIf you want to elevate your grant writing in 2026, this is the episode to bookmark.Resources Mentioned:Free Guide: Banned & Trigger Words in Federal Grant Writing https://grantwritingandfunding.com/banned-and-trigger-words-in-federal-grant-writing-in-the-trump-administration-2-0/ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secure $1 Billion in Grant Funding for Good and $30 Million in Grant Writing Businesses by 2030. Holly Rustick, CEO of GWF, is leading the movement; a world-renowned grant writer with 20+ years of experience, bestselling author, and business coach for new and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income writing grants part-time from home through her signature programs: the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship. Rustick is the host of the top grant writing podcast “Grant Writing & Funding” and the author of the Bestselling book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing. With an MA in International Political Economy, past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving on numerous boards of directors, Holly is also an unapologetic feminist. She lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella. CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ RESOURCES:Weekly Newsletter: “Write Grants. Get Paid” - Get thought leadership on grant and freelance grant writing strategies every week in your inbox. 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/Grant Professional Mentorship: Double your Monthly Revenue with an Income Stream Outside of Grant Writing. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, 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!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will 1) WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and 2) MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses. We are on our way already.———————————————————————————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 Show Less
    30 mins
No reviews yet