Grant Writing & Funding

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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.

Recent Episodes
  • Ep. 401 How Grant Writers Priced Their Services in the Past (Replay)
    May 13, 2025 – 31:54
  • Celebrating 400 Episodes: Top Grant Writing Tips and Encouragement from 35 Industry Leaders AND a Free Master Grant Template
    May 9, 2025 – 47:43
  • Ep: 399: State of Grants 2025: A Conversation with Mike Chamberlain of GPA - Part 2
    Apr 29, 2025 – 34:09
  • State of Grants 2025: A Conversation with Mike Chamberlain of GPA - Part 1
    Apr 23, 2025 – 35:11
  • Ep: 397 How AI Is Changing Grant Writing and What You Need to Know
    Apr 15, 2025 – 16:19
  • Ep: 396 Grant Writing Myths: What No One Will Tell You About this Career
    Apr 6, 2025 – 25:02
  • Ep: 395 Going from Scarcity Mindset to Courage with a 4-Day Workweek as a Grant Consultant
    Apr 2, 2025 – 41:31
  • Bonus Ep: The First Hire You Shouldn't Make as a Grant Professional
    Apr 1, 2025 – 11:53
  • Bonus Ep. How to Recession-Proof Your Grant Writing Business - Why Waiting Won’t Work
    Mar 31, 2025 – 15:23
  • Bonus Ep: How to Hire a Grant Writer in Your Grant Writing Business & Stop Doing all the Client Work
    Mar 30, 2025 – 27:46
  • Bonus Ep: Replay "Double Your Grant Writing Revenue, Writing Fewer Grants, During Any Administration"
    Mar 25, 2025 – 01:52:15
  • Ep: 394 Growing a Grant Writing Business from $5k to $200k in 2 years with Isatou
    Mar 18, 2025 – 42:02
  • Bonus Ep: From Higher Education Grant Writer Job to Retirement Business
    Mar 17, 2025 – 29:55
  • Ep. 392 3 Items to Restructure Your Grant Writing Business in 2025
    Mar 11, 2025 – 14:33
  • Ep. 393 Why Grant Writers Must Track Their Time: Pricing Strategies and Smart Decisions
    Mar 10, 2025 – 17:43
  • Bonus Ep: Doubling Revenue with Work-Life Balance as a Consultant & a Mom
    Mar 9, 2025 – 53:04
  • Bonus Ep: Accountability and Growth: How Fielding Doubled Her Grant Writing Revenue
    Mar 5, 2025 – 36:28
  • Ep. 391 Why Federal Grant Writing Might Still be a Way Forward for Your Nonprofit
    Feb 26, 2025 – 46:30
  • Ep. 390 Federal Grant Updates under the Trump Administration
    Feb 26, 2025 – 42:17
  • Ep. 389 Banned and Trigger Words in Federal Grant Writing in the Trump Administration 2.0
    Feb 26, 2025 – 24:18
  • Ep. 388 Grant Writing Success Rates and Wins Don't Mean You're a Good or Bad Grant Writer
    Feb 8, 2025 – 35:42
  • Bonus Ep: Can I still be a Grant Writer and Get Clients during this Administration
    Jan 30, 2025 – 16:55
  • BONUS EP: New to Grant Writing, Christina Made $30,840 While Working on Her MFA
    Jan 30, 2025 – 35:28
  • Federal Grant Updates and 6 Action Steps for Your Nonprofit Clients
    Jan 30, 2025 – 20:11
  • Bonus Ep. Why 2025 is the Best Time to Be a Grant Consultant Even with all the Grant Changes and Open House Call
    Jan 29, 2025 – 19:36
  • Bonus Ep. What I am Doing in 2025 to Grow my Business
    Jan 27, 2025 – 30:25
  • Ep. 387 Why Consultants Should Stop Pricing Hourly with Alexander Lapa
    Jan 26, 2025 – 35:10
  • Bonus Ep: Why You Need to Join the Academy in 2025 and Everything Included
    Jan 21, 2025 – 22:36
  • Bonus Ep: Behind-the-Scenes of the Academy with the Co-Coaches
    Jan 19, 2025 – 51:23
  • Bonus Ep: Why Stay at Home Moms Need to Write Grants
    Jan 19, 2025 – 18:34
  • Bonus Ep. 8 Questions Answered About the Webinar "Quit Your Toxic Nonprofit Job"
    Jan 19, 2025 – 11:59
  • Bonus Ep: Why 2025 is the Year to Quit Your Job and Write Grants
    Jan 19, 2025 – 15:37
  • Ep. 386: From 9-5 to Subcontracting to $93,000 as a Freelance Grant Writer
    Jan 16, 2025 – 35:05
  • Ep. 383: Grant Writing for Newbies
    Jan 7, 2025 – 22:24
  • Ep. 385 Quitting a Corporate Job and going FT into Freelance Grant Writing
    Dec 18, 2024 – 41:52
  • Ep. 384: From Burned Out Development Director to Freelance Grant Writer in 2 Months
    Dec 18, 2024 – 38:40
  • Ep. 382: 7 Takeaways from the 2024 Grants State of the Union
    Dec 15, 2024 – 31:18
  • Ep. 380: How to Price Your Grant Writing Services
    Dec 8, 2024 – 27:31
  • Ep. 381: Stop Working as a Staff Grant Writer at Toxic Nonprofits
    Dec 7, 2024 – 15:47
  • Ep. 379: Opportunities and Challenges for Grant Writers Post-Election
    Dec 1, 2024 – 35:26
  • Bonus Ep: Why I'm Doing 1:1 3 Hour Intensive Coaching and What's Inside
    Nov 30, 2024 – 12:46
  • 378 - Federal Grants in 2025 and Beyond and How Grant Professionals Can Lead
    Nov 27, 2024 – 20:16
  • Ep. 376: Why Branding is More than Just Color or Fonts with Erin Davis
    Nov 18, 2024 – 31:30
  • Ep. 377: How Nonprofits are Ranked on Gender Equality With Amy Cross
    Nov 5, 2024 – 54:27
  • Ep. 375: 2024 OMB Grant Guidance Updates - What Grant Writers Need to Know
    Nov 4, 2024 – 57:17
  • Ep. 374. How to Align with Foundations for Requesting Grants with Carmen Randolph
    Oct 30, 2024 – 57:28
  • Ep. 373: 2024 Generational Giving Results for Nonprofits with Bloomerang
    Oct 29, 2024 – 59:18
  • 7 Ways to Get Your ROI in the Academy
    Oct 26, 2024 – 12:39
  • Bonus Ep. Learn How to Become a Federal Grant Reviewer inside the Academy
    Oct 26, 2024 – 10:33
  • Bonus Ep. Learn How to Get a Nonprofit Grant Ready in the Academy
    Oct 26, 2024 – 10:08
Recent Reviews
  • Coribizboss
    Finally—Grant Advice That Is CLEAR
    This podcast is such a gem! Holly shares super practical tips that actually make the grant world feel less overwhelming. I always walk away with something I can use right away. If you want to learn more about the complexities of grants, this one’s a must.
  • Erin6Chad
    Helps you take action w/confidence
    Holly and her guests are top notch. I love her action based, clear, and no nonsense style with plenty of laughter. Her passion for helping you move from the grind to the freedom of your own business is in every episode I've listened to. Love this podcast!
  • AngelaRLewis
    Great podcast!
    People who write grants need the best resources to stay on top of the industry. The interviews and advice offered here are top notch!
  • Niki Wanner Grant Solutions
    Informative!
    I've been writing grants since 1998 AND I still learn something new every episode!
  • zelle pay
    GW&F - Great Resources AND glad to find the Podcasts!
    Wowie! Listening to Holly & Guest Dr Chris Lambert - WOWZER, some powerful stuff here in this episode! Thanks Holly & Chris for providing something for everyone in this sector, regardless of level of experience or expertise :)
  • ginaknx
    5 stars
    Such a great resource for writings looking to get more grants.
  • Steph 100DC
    Love the pod!
    Love Holly’s spicy beliefs and no nonsense approach to serving the nonprofit sector through grant writing! Great show!
  • evitazuniga
    Great for beginners and professionals
    This podcast is great whether you are just starting out in the field and if you are a seasoned professional with years experience. The topics are fresh and the host is knowledgeable and easy to listen to!
  • TinyFarmGirlH
    Great tips and an enjoyable listen
    This podcast is super helpful to newbies at grant writing, like me, but there’s also a lot of detailed information for writers who are more seasoned. I’ve used a lot of the ideas and tips as I get started. Holly and her guests are very relatable, making the podcast enjoyable to listen to as well as informational.
  • Capital M. A.
    Always learn something meaningful
    Congratulations to Holly for her successful podcasting. I can always count on Holly to deliver meaningful content and tips for grant writing and funding projects. As I drive to visit clients I often tune in to her latest podcast and hear her easylistening voice prompt me to learn new avenues of how to work with clients and provide each with fine service. She often shares the microphone with others whose expertise and wisdom complement her skills and by the end of the podcast, I am recharged and more confident. I look forward to Holly's future podcasts and other offers available through her website.
  • CACrook
    Listener
    I love this podcast. Holly is offering great infomration, awesome guests, and encouragement to all of us looking to blossom a career in grant writing. Thank you Holly!
  • ParentPowerrttt
    Grant Writing -ep 302
    Wish had found years ago!! Kids now grown & needed to know more about freelance side back then. Have a solid start on grant writing & signed up for Jan webinar … but need help in the outside freelancing piece. Interested in the evolving series & filling in other pieces of independence of finding multiple clients.
  • aubreycole
    Holy Holly!!!!
    absolutely love love love stumbling upon Holly and Grant Writing & Funding podcast today. I've been listening to past episodes, visiting her website, signing up for webinars and newsletters - im so excited to continue to learn. I love being a part of other women who’s lives she has changed!!!
  • MKOWB
    So far so good
    Just started listening, love it so far.
  • T. Thibodeau
    Great podcast for grant consultants and nonprofits alike
    Each episode of this podcast is chock full of actionable tips and valuable insights. It’s been invaluable professional development for me as a grant consultant.
  • Gemildine
    Excellent resource
    As a relatively new grant writer I’ve found very helpful and useful this podcast, I’ve learned a lot.
  • Krystallmmoore
    Informational
    I found this podcast just recently. It educates me on all things grants as I hope to grow my career and business. Love listening!
  • Corina Jovita
    Inspiring and Palatable Information
    I have enjoyed learning from Holly and guest interviews on grant writing and nonprofits. The topics and information are understandable and relevant. Thank you for all you’re doing!
  • Deborah Brister
    Great Tips for Grantwriting
    Holly is so supportive of (especially) women who want to learn the art of grantwriting. I’ve learned so much from her. Holly dives deep into not only writing grants but the business of grantwriting. She’s a gem!
  • CaliStlFan
    Beginning Writer and Learning So Much!
    I recently started listening to 'GRANT WRITING AND FUNDING' with Holly Rustick and it's been a game-changer for me as a beginner in grant writing. Holly breaks down complex topics into simple steps, making grant research and submissions feel much more manageable. Her practical advice and real-world examples are incredibly helpful. I've already learned so much about best practices and essential tools in just a few episodes. Highly recommended for anyone new to grant writing!
  • JillianJ06
    Finally a podcast for grant nerds like me. 😀
    Holly is a pioneer of the grant field and anytime I see any resource come from her- I know it will be a winner. I’m this podcast she provides helpful advice, tools, resources, and excellent guests all to support the wonderful world of grants! It makes my grant nerd heart sing!!!!
  • BookBWorm
    Golden
    Thank you so much Holly for sharing so freely of this information. I’m fairly new to the space but what I’ve learned so far is invaluable in creating the life I imagine for myself.
  • SWMiddleton
    Outstanding Podcast
    Holly provides concrete information that consultants and nonprofit leaders can be easily apply. I love listening to the podcast!
  • Faithdavis05
    THANK YOU
    Holly Rustick's podcast is a goldmine of knowledge for freelance grant writers and nonprofit professionals. With her extensive experience and practical tips, it's an invaluable resource for success in the world of grants and nonprofit work. Highly recommended!
  • jenbo536
    An endless resource of material!
    Holly’s energy and passion for all things grant writing and consulting was just what I needed to confirm my feelings that this was the route I wanted to go. Her approach meets anyone where they need to be, whether it is a podcast or two, a downloadable, a webinar, or an Academy or Mentorship program. I’m learning so much practical advice to implement in my business!
  • 206in804
    This is how grant writing culture should be!
    Holly brings exactly the right mix of energy and expertise to this field, which can sometimes lose sight of the motivations that inspire us to write and win grants to support amazing missions worldwide.
  • JAhrenberg
    Tangible
    I love how simple and easy to put into place the tips are for increasing your grant success!
  • keeks13
    A must listen for grant professionals!
    Holly gives real advice for real fundraising professionals. She brings a great energy and integrates data and anecdotes to share a well rounded overview of the field.
  • Kent Sanders, Writer
    An amazing show for grant writers!
    Holly is one of the world’s leading experts on grant writing and funding. If you’re looking for a top-tier expert who can help you improve every aspect of your grant writing business — or if you’re simply curious about the process of grant writing — this is the show for you!
  • GregNTC2023
    Great listen for nonprofit leaders!
    Grant writing is the lifeblood of any nonprofit organization. Understanding the tips and strategies to demystify this process and elevate your own funding success for your nonprofit is an essential skill. Holly does a great job providing information in an entertaining format.
  • Fam connection
    Quick Useful and thoughtful information
    Every time I listen to Holly’s show, I learn something…and I am a nonprofit veteran. Holly is a no fluff expert who cuts right to the chase giving people expert advice. I sometimes have to listen to an episode twice because there are so many goodies.
  • MyWifeGotAllTheCops
    A fun and insightful look into the nonprofit sector
    As someone who’s been in the nonprofit sector for 20 years, it’s great to be able to connect with folks from across the ecosystem via Holly’s interviews. I love that we get to know each guest personally and learn about how their work is addressing the causes people care most about either directly or indirectly.
  • Triple T19
    Great podcast!
    Holly is great - she always makes it fun to listen in and learn from her wide variety of speakers and other topics!
  • Jimmycrackcorn456
    Practical and inspiring
    Running a nonprofit is hard. These podcasts helped me get practical tips and awesome inspiration on how to get ahead in nonprofit business. Thanks, Holly!
  • leebacks
    Motivating & Hopeful
    Holly’s podcast offers strategies to help the grant writing process AND the grant writer. She demystifies the grant writing process and brings on insightful guests who generously share their expertise as well. Listening to this podcast made me feel more confident about not only grant writing but about being open to new ways to strategize and write. Holly’s a collaborative, supportive, and lively host—a great listen!
  • Shannon, TNPA
    And then some!
    While many of Holly’s podcast listeners come first for the grantwriting expertise, it’s her approach to the “whole self” of fundraisers that keep them coming back for more. From budgets to policy, job market to sector trends, she curates an insightful line-up of topics and guests and each episode offers something new.
  • Fundraising Dad
    Like a graduate course in Grant Writing!
    A lot of people COULD be fantastic grant writers, but don't know where to start, how to build that side hustle, or help nonprofits in their own community. Those same folks SHOULD be listening to Holly and her show! It is like a graduate course in Grant Writing with great guests, and even better tips and tricks to help navagate the sometimes complicated realm of funding!
  • Dolph Goldenburg
    Great Podcast!
    This podcast is a “must listen” for any nonprofit professional or volunteer involved in grant writing and fundraising. That obviously includes grant writers and development directors, but also executive directors, program staff and board members. Why should you subscribe and listen? Because this podcast provides actionable information that you can use to help fund your nonprofit’s important work!
  • Rscot11
    Episode 216 - Budgeting
    Loved being a part of this super necessary and much needed podcast. Love what you’re doing for the non-profit community. For all those listening 1st time or long time, do not be scared of budgeting. Roll up your sleeves and take the time to do this to give your organization a roadmap.
  • stumilman
    Terrific Show!
    I really enjoyed talking with Holly about how nonprofits can use technology to increase donor engagement and retention. She's a great host and asked really insightful questions that helped me best bring my message to her audience of nonprofit professionals.
  • shootforthestars44
    Fantastic show, dynamic host
    Holly brings a perfect mixture of technical expertise on grant writing but also a deeper understanding of the overall fundraising platform nonprofit leaders need to develop. Really enjoyed being on her show and I’m equally excited about having her on mine!
  • Suzanne4Justice
    Information On Steroids
    There is so much to learn on this podcast. I appreciate the in-depth teachings.
  • Tamika McTier
    7 tips
    Thank you for sharing those 7 tips!
  • Awlovespinterest
    Thank you!
    Such a helpful show on a concept i really need some guidance in! Thank you Holly!
  • chargergirl22
    Helpful & Easy To Follow
    As a female small biz owner I’ve been researching more about grant writing and found Holly’s episode on 7 Tips to Write a Grant Proposal. Holly breaks down each step, giving her listener a roadmap to take actual action, which will result in writing a successful grant. Dog-earing this one to reference back!
  • sastel
    I learned so much!
    I started with episode 1 and look forward to each week’s new release. The information is organized in a way that guides you from knowing nothing to having a great grasp on grant writing. Fun topics about marketing and such are thrown in. Definitely recommend.
  • no brocolli in the burrito
    Worthwhile!
    She’s so organized and articulate with experience to back it up. Very glad she’s so generous to share her expertise. Thank you Holly !
  • ThatIpodTesterKid
    Great resource on grant writing!
    Holly digs deep with each of her guests to help her listeners level up their grant writing skills. Each episode is filled with nuggets that you typically would have to pay for to get! This is one of the best grant writing podcasts out there. A must listen.
  • TrueheartEvents
    Amazing podcast for social entrepreneurs!
    If you’re living your purpose of serving your community and/or the world, don’t miss Holly’s amazing Grant Writing
  • Rachel, CEO, GDSGrants.com
    The Best Resource!
    Even after almost 3 decades in this business, I have learned so much from Holly’s podcasts. She is refreshingly honest and shares great tips in every episode.
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