Grant Writing & Funding

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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, diversifying income streams, and protecting your time so you can build a sustainable grant writing business that supports both your present and your future.

If you’ve ever wondered how freelance grant writing can lead to financial freedom and long-term security, this episode will show you how to start building toward that future today.

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, and 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/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWritingandFunding
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick 

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 the 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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 OUR GUEST
Amy Krigsman is the Founder, CEO, and Principal Grant Strategist of ARK Nonprofit Consulting. She is passionate about helping nonprofits raise critical funds from institutional partners to ensure their long-term sustainability. My work focuses on creating effective grants strategies, crafting compelling narratives, and building relationships with funders. I offer full grant lifecycle management from research through reporting, including identifying funding opportunities, developing powerful proposals, developing relationships with funders on your behalf, and submitting follow-up reporting for awarded grants. I have worked with a variety of causes including health equity, the arts, and youth development. Ideal clients are nonprofit organizations anywhere in the U.S. with budgets of between $1M and $15M without a dedicated grants manager.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
Website: https://www.arknonprofitconsulting.com/
Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/amykrigsman/

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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 consulting business, why execution matters more than perfection, and how investing in mentorship can accelerate growth and confidence.

Nekaycha also shares her perspective on the importance of inclusive business communities where entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow.

If you’re a grant professional or consultant looking to scale your services, refine your positioning, or create new revenue streams beyond traditional grant writing, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Nekaycha Cavil is the Founder and Lead Consultant of Connected Haven, a circular systems consulting firm focused on governance, policy, funding strategy, and racial equity. Her work supports entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities by helping them navigate complex systems related to funding, economic development, and policy.

Through her consulting and educational resources, Nekaycha helps small businesses understand grant opportunities, funding structures, and strategic positioning so they can access capital without relying solely on loans.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn: Nekaycha Cavil
Website: Connected Haven Consulting

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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 more structure, streamline her workflow, and prepare for future growth.

If you’re an experienced grant professional who knows how to do the work but wants to run a stronger, more scalable business, this episode is full of insight and encouragement.

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Sara Cohen began her consulting business in September 2014 after 15 years in various fundraising positions at several nonprofits. Over her 25-year nonprofit career, she has raised over $70,000,000 for the organizations she represented. She has successfully written foundation, corporate, county, state, and federal grants in the areas of secondary education, early childhood education and early intervention, youth behavioral health, disabilities, the arts (primarily music, dance, and theater), workforce development, museums, and human services. Sara is committed to constant self-improvement and has acquired the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and the Grant Professionals Certified (GPC) certifications.

She is very open and collaborative with her clients and their staff. Additionally, her past experience in the corporate sector strengthened her analytical and problem-solving skills, which she has been able to draw on when working with clients.

When Sara is not working with her inspiring clients, she can be found with her nose in a book, out running or walking, enjoying Chicago's cultural and culinary splendor, or spending time with friends, family, and her adorable mutt.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
LinkedIn

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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 writing business that creates time freedom, this episode is for you.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Guy A. Holley is a grant professional, mentor student inside the Grant Professional Mentorship, and former 4-H leader who scaled a local youth program from 0 to 2,200 students through strategic grant funding.

Growing up watching his mother write grants for 4-H planted early seeds, but it wasn’t until discovering the Grant Writing & Funding podcast while pursuing his master’s degree that he realized grant writing could become a scalable business model.

Today, Guy has transitioned from one-off subcontracting and ad-hoc projects to building systems, workshops, and scalable offers — all while protecting time with his wife and four young children.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyaholley/ 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• How Guy surpassed his $100K revenue goal by an additional $15K–$20K
• The CEO mindset shift that unlocked his breakthrough year
• Moving from “technician mode” to strategic business owner
• Why documenting SOPs was the key to scalability and hiring
• How mentorship provided a “third side of the coin” perspective
• Clarifying his Ideal Customer Profile through core values alignment
• Setting non-negotiable boundaries (no evening calls!) to protect family time
• Replacing a 90-minute client call with a 30-minute AI-powered system
• How community “possibility models” accelerate belief and action

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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 it down with practical insight and real-world experience.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Gwen secured $23M+ in funding in just 24 months
• What it really means to manage the full grant lifecycle
• How to navigate federal compliance and Uniform Guidance with confidence
• The importance of cost estimation and advanced Excel skills in grant budgeting
• Strategies for winning competitive state and federal grants
• How to support municipalities and local governments effectively
• The mindset shift required to move from smaller grants to high-stakes funding

This episode is a must-listen for freelance grant writers ready to expand into federal funding, municipal contracts, and larger awards.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Since 2018, Gwen Valentino has helped New Mexico nonprofits and local governments turn “red tape into green lights.” She specializes in the full grant lifecycle — navigating the intricate world of state, federal, and foundation funding.

Gwen has won $23M in funding secured for clients in the last 24 months ($12M in 2024; $11M in 2025) including:

• U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
• Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
• Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI)
• State of New Mexico Capital Outlay & Legislative Grants

She provides dedicated grant administration and strategy for the Cities of Socorro and Truth or Consequences (T or C), the Village of Magdalena, Polvadera, Socorro County, and the South Central Council of Governments (SCCOG). Gwen brings a high degree of professionalism and judgment to every project, whether working independently or as part of a municipal team.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-valentino-90a8b42b5/

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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 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 she knew something needed to shift.

From doubling her revenue in year one…
To losing $100,000 in contracts in a single week…
To launching a brand-new federal grants program and community…

Fielding shares how pricing strategy, systems, accountability, and a growth-minded community helped her not just survive disruption — but build something even stronger.

If you’re an experienced grant writer ready to step fully into your role as CEO, this episode is for you.

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Fielding Jezreel is the CEO of Jezreel Consulting and founder of the Federal Grants Accelerator. A federal grant specialist, she has been in business since 2016 and built a thriving referral-based consulting firm before expanding into training and community-based education.

After years of operating without even a website, Fielding launched an in-person federal grants training that later evolved into the Federal Grants Accelerator — an online curriculum and community designed to help grant professionals confidently navigate federal funding.

She is known for her thought leadership in the federal grants space, her candid conversations about money and business ownership, and her active presence on LinkedIn where she engages in meaningful discussions about the nonprofit and funding landscape.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn: Connect with Fielding Jezreel https://www.linkedin.com/in/fieldingjezreel/ 

Federal Grants Accelerator: https://www.federalgrantsaccelerator.com 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• What prompted Fielding to join the mentorship after 7 years in business
• The mental shift from “contract grant writer” to “business owner”
• Why being in a growth-minded peer space matters at higher revenue levels
• The importance of unapologetically discussing money in the grant profession
• How fixing pricing doubled her revenue in year one
• Streamlining service delivery to eliminate overwhelm and increase capacity
• Why systems matter — even if you don’t want to build a large firm
• Losing $100,000 in revenue in one week — and how she navigated it
• Building business savings and financial runway for stability
• Pivoting from in-person training to launching the Federal Grants Accelerator
• Launch strategy, sales confidence, and coaching support
• The power of accountability and community over three years in mentorship
• Why coaching is critical when you’re ready to level up as a CEO

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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 writing ecosystem.

If you want to better understand where funding is moving, how to align your nonprofit for larger grant awards, and how to grow a sustainable consulting business in the nonprofit sector, this episode is for you.

TAKEAWAYS

• $6 million in grants secured in January alone.
• 84% of those grants came from family foundations.
• Private philanthropy is the most responsive funding channel.
• Alignment is the differentiator for nonprofits.
• Nonprofits are investing in freelancers and consultants.
• The era of the freelancers is here.
• Foundations give massive grant awards.
• Strategic pricing beats hourly rates.
• Grant writing is no longer transactional; it's strategic.
• Understanding funding movement is strategy.

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.

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 GUEST

Marcia Beckner is the founder of My Lifeline Cancer Foundation, which she launched in 2007 to support cancer patients through a digital community platform. She served as Executive Director for 10 years before merging the organization into a larger cancer nonprofit in 2018 to expand its reach and sustainability.

After decades in the nonprofit sector, Marcia recognized widespread patterns of burnout, toxic work environments, and unsustainable leadership practices. She founded Culture CARES Global to help nonprofit organizations build healthy, inclusive cultures where staff feel valued, respected, appreciated, engaged, and safe.

Through her CARES framework—Commitment, Appreciation, Respect, Engagement, and Safety—Marcia works with nonprofit leaders to transform internal culture so their teams can thrive while advancing their missions.

Connect with Marcia Beckner:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciabeckner/
Website: https://culturecares.com/

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.

———————————————————————————

The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is OPEN for the last time in 2026!

You’re ready to quit your toxic job, retire with meaningful, part-time work, or work from home so you can pick up the kids. But how do you replace your paycheck?

Our 12-month group coaching program helps aspiring and seasoned grant writers replace your full-time income, on flexible hours, writing grants from home. You will build grant writing, marketing, and sales skills to find clients and create recurring income on flexible hours. 
Get weekly coaching, unlimited grant and business reviews, business and grant training, hundreds of templates,Grant Writer & Consultant Certification, a community, and listed on our Grant Hire for Hire Directory.

Our students have earned over $12.6 million in freelance business revenue. You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Join the Academy for $3,500 or 8 monthly payments of $475. Doors close October 23rd at 11:59 PM Eastern.

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 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 GUEST

ADD BIO

Alexandra 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 and impact. 

With a deep commitment to nonprofit effectiveness, Alex utilizes data and storytelling to distill complex challenges into clear, compelling messages that drive donor understanding and community engagement. 

Before launching ANC Consult, Alex spent 15 years as a litigation attorney, developing skills in strategy, communication, and problem-solving that now inform her work with mission-driven organizations. She holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University (B.A.), Hofstra University School of Law (J.D.), and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MBA/MA in International Policy & Development).

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Any links here LinkedIn | Book a Call  

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.