Grant Writing & Funding

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this episode of the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast, Holly Rustick breaks down a key shift that separates grant writers earning around $50K per year from those building six-figure grant businesses.

Interestingly, the difference isn’t...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Episode Summary:

What does it really take to move from freelancer to CEO—and finally take time off without your business falling apart?

In this special mentorship spotlight episode, Holly Rustick sits down wi...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Episode Summary: 

In this bonus episode of the Grant Writing & Funding podcast, Holly Rustick sits down with Emma Krass, Owner and Lead Grant Writer of Grants & Growth, to talk about what it really takes t...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Many successful grant writers eventually reach a moment where their business hits a ceiling, not because there isn’t demand, but because their business relies entirely on their personal capacity.

In this episode, Holly Rustick di...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

From Overwhelmed to Confident: How Christine Built a Scalable Grant Writing Business inside The Grant Professional Mentorship

Episode Summary:
What happens when you stop letting your business “just happen” to you—and start buildi...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Episode Summary:

Marshan Marick shares how niching into public health grants, building stronger systems, and shifting her mindset helped her grow a sustainable six-figure grant writing business. In this episode, she talks about moving from...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

D Abshire of Aim for Funding shares how joining the Grant Professional Mentorship helped them move from burnout and 60–80 hour workweeks to a more sustainable, profitable grant writing business. In this conversation, D opens up about doubling he...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this episode, Holly Rustick discusses why freelance grant writing is one of the most powerful and recession-resistant skill sets nonprofit professionals can develop. She explains how building a stable freelance grant writing business allows you to take...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Amy Krigsman shares how she doubled her revenue in 2025, reached her first six-figure year, and began scaling ARK Nonprofit Consulting with the support of the Grant Professional Mentorship.

In this case study episode, she talks candidly...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Sara Cohen shares what it looks like to level up a grant writing business after 10 years of experience. In this conversation, she opens up about leaving nonprofit dysfunction behind, building a business through word of mouth, and reaching...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this episode, Holly Rustick talks with Nekaycha Cavil, Founder and Lead Consultant of Connected Haven, about how she refined her consulting business and created a scalable offer inside the Grant Professional Mentorship.

Nekaycha shares how...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Fielding Lost $100K in One Week: How This Federal Grant Writer Rebuilt Her Business for 2026

What does it look like to move from fully booked grant writer… to true CEO?

In this po...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Securing over $23 million in grant funding in just 24 months is no small feat, and today’s guest has done exactly that.

In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Gwen Valentino, a New Mexico-based grant strategist wh...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

What happens when you stop thinking like a technician and start thinking like a CEO?

In this powerful case study interview, Holly sits down with mentorship student Guy A. Holley to unpack the mindset, systems...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this episode, Holly Rustick breaks down the evolving landscape of grant writing in 2026, sharing powerful insights from January’s funding data and what it signals for the nonprofit sector and freelance grant writers.

With $6 mi...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Nonprofits exist to do good in the world—but what happens when the people doing that work are burned out, overwhelmed, and working inside unhealthy cultures?

In today’s episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Marc...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

When Nonprofits Should Consider Both Grant Writing & Individual Donor Giving Campaigns

In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Alex Cohen, CEO of ANC Consult, about her journey from law to nonprofit consulting, the challenges...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Is Grant Writing Worth It? My Honest Answer

Is grant writing actually worth it? In this episode, Holly Rustick is breaking down the honest truth about what grant writing really is, who it’s fo...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

December 2025 shows what happens when grant writers stop scrambling and start operating with systems.

December results:

What got...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Join Holly Rustick as she shares insider secrets from her decade of experience as a federal grant reviewer. Discover why even well-thought-out grant proposals can get rejected and learn strategies to ensure your proposals rise to the top...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this engaging interview, Holly Rustick talks with Theresa Fowler about her extensive experience in grant writing and consulting. Theresa shares her journey from working full-time in California to becoming a consultant in Texas, emphasizing the importance of...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this conversation, Dr. Melvin Musick shares his journey from a traditional consultancy to a thriving grant writing business, emphasizing the importance of discipline, relationships, and creative thinking. He discusses how joining the Academy transformed his approach to...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Why “Stable” Jobs Don’t Feel Safe Anymore

In uncertain times, many “stable” jobs don’t feel so stable anymore.

In this episode, Holly Rustick, CEO of the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, unpacks the illusion...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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.

<...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In 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 yo...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this episode, Holly Rustick from Grant Writing and Funding interviews Fielding Jezreel, CEO of Jezreel Consulting, about the evolving landscape of federal grants. They discuss the challenges and strategies for nonprofits in adapting to new federal grant...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this episode of the Grant Writing and Funding Podcast, host Holly Rustic shares an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at a recent team retreat in Madrid, Spain, that cost $20,000. Holly discusses the strategic decisions, deep work, and innovative approaches...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this new subseries 'Funded.' Learn about the massive movement to secure $1 billion in grants and $30 million for grant writing businesses by 2030. Holly shares success stories, real data, and insights into what's working in grant writing and...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Welcome to the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast! In this episode, host Holly Rustick sits down with Clare Bresnahan English, Senior Director of the Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge at the Aspen Institute, to break down a massive $60 million...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Join host Holly Rustick on the Grant Writing and Funding Podcast as she delves into the essential topic of setting boundaries as a freelance grant writer. Learn how to professionally handle client requests that fall outside the scope...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Welcome to the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast. In this episode, Holly Rustick explores the importance of money mindset in the nonprofit and freelance grant writing sectors. She shares her personal experiences growing up in poverty and how it...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

Want to land invite-only grants and corporate sponsorships? Hear how Surge for Water built trust-based relationships that unlocked over $1M in funding. Founder Shilpa Alva shares actionable strategies for grant writers and nonprofit leaders to move from cold...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

In this episode, Holly Rustick interviews Marivi V. Bryant, founder of Home Agency, discussing the critical role of marketing and storytelling for nonprofits. They explore how effective branding and a polished online presence can enhance a nonprofit's credibility...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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 h...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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?"

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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. 

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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 G...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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 t...

Doors are now open to the Grant Professional Mentorship: a 12-month mastermind where grant professionals scale from freelancer to CEO, double their monthly revenue, and build a business with consistent leads and systems that give you your time back.

Seats are limited and doors close April 3rd. Apply or book a call at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship.

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 F...