Grant Writing & Funding

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 talent, experience, or even how hard someone works. Many grant writers have similar technical skills:strong proposal writing, program design knowledge, and a passion for supporting nonprofit missions.The real difference lies in how their work is structured as a business.Holly walks through four major shifts that occur when a grant writer moves from freelancer to grant business owner. From moving beyond hourly pricing to building systems, support teams, and diversified income streams, these changes allow grant professionals to scale their impact and income without burning out.If you’ve ever wondered how some grant writers grow sustainable six-figure businesses while others stay stuck in reactive client work, this episode will show you exactly where that shift happens—and how

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 to move from freelancer to CEO.Emma shares her journey from working at a grant writing firm to building her own business—and the challenges she faced along the way. From underpricing services and taking on the wrong clients to feeling disorganized and overwhelmed, Emma opens up about what wasn’t working and how she turned it around.Inside the Grant Professional Mentorship, Emma found the structure, systems, and confidence she needed to grow sustainably. She discusses how implementing retainers, hiring her first virtual assistant, and preparing to onboard a grant writer have transformed her business operations and capacity.If you're a grant writer feeling maxed out, disorganized, or unsure how to scale, this episode offers real talk and practical insight on what to focus on first—and why you don’t have to do everything

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 with Alexandra Cohen, founder of ANC Consult, to share her journey of building, refining, and scaling her grant writing business.Alexandra first joined one of Holly’s earliest programs back in 2022, then rejoined years later to grow and scale her business in a more sustainable way. Since then, she’s streamlined her services, shifted fully into nonprofit work, increased retainer clients, and—perhaps most importantly—built systems that allow her to step away from her business without everything stopping.If you're ready to grow beyond freelancing, create consistent income, and build a business that supports your life (not the other way around), this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Alexandra transitioned from freelance consulting to a structured businessThe mindset shift required to scale your grant writ

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 discusses the transition from operating solely as a freelancer to stepping into the role of CEO of your grant writing business. She explores why burnout often appears when grant writers reach full client capacity and how shifting your mindset, systems, and support structure can create sustainable growth.Holly shares how grant writers can scale beyond the freelancer model by implementing systems, hiring support, and developing diversified income streams that reduce pressure while increasing revenue potential.If your grant writing business has momentum but you're starting to feel stretched thin, this episode will help you understand the next stage of growth—and how to move toward it strategically.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE• Why many successful grant writers eventually hit a capacity

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 her income with fewer clients, taking her first real vacation in years, and building the systems and boundaries that gave her both business growth and personal freedom.They also talks about the power of coaching, community, and having a proven framework to follow—especially when you know something needs to change but you are not sure how to change it. D’s story is a powerful reminder that success does not

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 doing everything manually to creating repeatable processes, defining growth on her own terms, and building a business that supports both her income goals and her family life.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:How Marshan transitioned from an experienced grant writer to a systems-driven business ownerWhy niching down into public health made her business more sustainable and profitableThe difference between grant

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.From Overwhelmed to Confident: How Christine Built a Scalable Grant Writing Business inside The Grant Professional MentorshipEpisode Summary:What happens when you stop letting your business “just happen” to you—and start building it with intention?In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Christine Sakwitz, owner and primary consultant of Kingdom Come Consulting, to share her journey from feeling scattered and reactive in her grant writing business to building clarity, confidence, and consistent revenue.Christine opens up about how coaching, community, and systems inside the Grant Professional Mentorship transformed the way she shows up as

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 control of your financial future instead of relying on a single employer for retirement.Holly walks through the common financial challenges nonprofit professionals face, how to start thinking like a CEO with your freelance income, and the retirement investment options available to self-employed grant writers. She also shares strategies for creating predictable income through retainers, diversi

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 she moved from being a broad generalist to gaining clarity in her services and positioning. With the mentorship support, she transformed a growing database of grant opportunities into a structured membership designed to help small businesses access funding opportunities and understand how grants actually work.She also discusses the mindset shifts required to move from survival mode to building a thriving co

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 about moving through the messy middle of business growth, reinvesting in targeted support, building a trusted team, and creating more space in her business by hiring subcontractors and a business development manager. Amy also reflects on why she wishes she had joined mentorship sooner and how one-on-one coaching, peer support, and better business systems helped her grow with more confidence and less stress.ABOUT

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 a point where she knew it was time to refine her systems, pricing, and boundaries.Sara talks candidly about a major mindset shift she experienced inside the Grant Professional Mentorship: moving away from hourly-based retainers and toward a more sustainable consultant model built on deliverables and clear boundaries. She also shares how tools like SOPs and the Master Grant Application are helping her create mo

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 who specializes in navigating complex federal and state funding streams. From DOT to LWCF to Healthy Food Financing Initiative awards, Gwen shares what it really takes to manage high-stakes proposals, stay compliant with federal regulations, and build strong municipal partnerships.If you’ve ever felt intimidated by federal grants, overwhelmed by compliance, or unsure how to position yourself for larger awards — this episode breaks

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.Fielding Lost $100K in One Week: How This Federal Grant Writer Rebuilt Her Business for 2026What does it look like to move from fully booked grant writer… to true CEO?In this powerful mentorship case study, Holly sits down with Fielding Jezreel, CEO of Jezreel Consulting and founder of the Federal Grants Accelerator, to unpack what changed when she decided to stop operating like a contractor and start thinking like a business owner.After nearly a decade in business, and seven years before joining the Grant Professional Mentorship, Fielding had already navigated the messy middle. She was referral-based, fully booked, and successful on paper. But

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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, and strategic shifts that helped him break through his long-standing revenue ceiling and surpass his first $100K year by an additional $15K–$20K.Guy shares how moving from ad-hoc grant projects to scalable systems, implementing SOPs, setting firm boundaries, and aligning his business with his core values completely transformed both his income and his family life.If you’re ready to stop hitting revenue plateaus and start building a grant wr

Are you a grant writer making money, but still stuck doing everything yourself? Join my free live training on March 24th, where I’ll show growth-stage grant professionals how to double their revenue without doubling their hours by installing systems, building predictable demand, and stepping into a CEO role. Register now at grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship-webinar.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 million in grants secured in January alone — 84% from family foundations — Holly unpacks what this means for funding trends, strategic positioning, and revenue growth opportunities.You’ll hear why relationship building with foundations is now the differentiator, how nonprofits are increasingly investing in freelance grant writers and consultants, and why strategic pricing beats hourly rates in today’s maturing grant writi

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 Marcia Beckner, nonprofit founder and culture transformation strategist, to talk about one of the most overlooked drivers of impact: organizational culture.After founding My Lifeline Cancer Foundation and serving as Executive Director for 10 years, Marcia saw firsthand how stress, staff turnover, and toxic workplace environments were quietly undermining nonprofit missions everywhere. That realization led her to create Culture CARES Global, where she now helps nonprofit leaders build thriving, inclusive, and empowering workplaces.If you’re a nonprofit leader, grant writer, or consultant working with mission-driven organizations, this conversation will shift how you think about impact from the inside out.ABOUT OUR GUESTMarcia Beckner is the founder of My Lifeline Cancer Foundation, which she launched in 2007

When Nonprofits Should Consider Both Grant Writing & Individual Donor Giving CampaignsIn this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Alex Cohen, CEO of ANC Consult, about her journey from law to nonprofit consulting, the challenges faced in the nonprofit sector in 2026, and the importance of adapting services to meet the evolving needs of nonprofits. Alex discusses her expansion from grant writing to include donor engagement, emphasizing the significance of storytelling in fundraising and the necessity for nonprofits to diversify their funding streams. Alex also shares, as a grant consultant, when to add another service offering to your business so you aren’t overwhelmed.ABOUT OUR GUESTADD BIOAlexandra N. Cohen is the founder of ANC Consult, helping nonprofits strengthen their fundraising, diversify revenue, and build the operational infrastructure needed for sustainable growth. She works with Executive Directors, development teams, and boards to design and implement fundraising plans that advance mission

Is Grant Writing Worth It? My Honest AnswerIs 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 for, and whether it can realistically turn into a paid skill or career. If you’re new to grant writing, thinking about freelancing, or wondering if this path makes sense for you, this episode will help you understand the learning curve, the income potential, and what most people don’t realize before getting started. No hype — just clarity, context, and what to expect as a beginner.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 signatur

December 2025 shows what happens when grant writers stop scrambling and start operating with systems.December results:$5.01M in grant funding secured45 grants awardedMedian grant around $25K$422,000+ earned in grant writing businessesWhat got funded:General operating support, state and local funding, and capital/development grants: awarded to prepared organizations with clear narratives and budgets.What worked to win grants:Master Grant Applicationsunlimited grant reviewsreusing feedbackWhat worked to get clients:pricing confidencemonthly retainersWant results like this? → Academy for winning grants with systems and reviews → Mentorship for higher rates, retainers, and ongoing coaching

Doors to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, our Signature Program, are open until Sunday, Feb. 1st at 11:59 pm EST. The Academy is a 12-month Group Coaching, Curriculum, and Community program for aspiring and seasoned grant writers to replace their full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. Check it out here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academyJoin 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. Holly discusses the importance of clarity, credibility, and alignment between your narrative and budget. Plus, find out about the resources available through the Freelance Grant Writer Academy to help you secure more grants and build a flexible income. Don't miss these vital tips and start writing better grant proposals today!ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant Writing & Funding (GWF) has a Global Movement to Secur