Ashleigh was managing a $24M+ grant portfolio in her FIRST YEAR — so why did it take her months to actually believe it? We sit down with Ashleigh Salas, an in-house grant writer with zero mentor support who still managed to secure 4 awards totaling $500K and submit 11 applications totaling $4.8M — all in year one. But instead of celebrating, she found herself fighting imposter syndrome, "faking it till she made it," and struggling to believe the numbers were even real.

Ashleigh opens up about:

If you're a first-year grant writer wondering if your wins even count yet — this one's for you. Want to learn more about the Global Grant Writers Collective? DM us on Instagram!

Like audiobooks and podcasts? Listen to Meredith’s book, “How to Write a Grant: Become ♥️a Grant Writing Unicorn” for free here: 👉 https://www.learngrantwriting.org/free-audiobook

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

Most grant proposals don't get rejected because of bad writing — 😱 they get rejected because the funder doesn't know who you are. In this video, Meredith breaks down the two real reasons proposals get passed over and what grant writers can do about it. If you've been rewriting the same proposal and still not winning, this one is for you.

More videos like this:

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

There are four income levels for grant writers and the reason most people stay stuck at level two has nothing to do with experience or grant writing skill. 💰 In this video, Meredith digs into the real reason so many grant writing businesses stall out before they reach their potential, walking you through the money mindset behind each income level from $0 to $250K+ so you can finally see exactly where you are on the map, understand what has been keeping you there, and know what it actually takes to break through to the next level.

💡 Ready to find out which Grant Writers Collective program is the right fit for your income level?

Free Training:

➡️ I’m Turning My Grant Writing Talent Into a Fulltime Biz (Making $16k+/year): https://www.learngrantwriting.org/experienced-grant-writing-consultant/

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

The grant writing landscape shifted — and if you're still approaching funding the same way you were two years ago, this video is your wake-up call. ⚡ Meredith breaks down four alarming trends reshaping how grant writers win funding in 2026: portals closing early, a tripled applicant pool, AI slop fatiguing reviewers, and one twist that will genuinely surprise you. 🤯 The grant writers who are still winning aren't working harder — they're working informed, and the Grant Writers Collective is where that starts. 💡

More videos like this:

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

The Grant Writers Collective is no longer one program ✨ it's five — and Meredith is breaking down every level so you know exactly where you fit. 🧡 Whether you're brand new to grant writing, building a side hustle, scaling a consulting firm, or an in-house grant writer trying to win more and write less, there's a level built for exactly where you are right now. 💡 Watch to find your level, then take the one-minute quiz linked below to get your next step.

👉 Grant Writers Gathering Replay: https://youtu.be/xQHtLcRHdl0

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

This video shares a Christy's journey from unemployment to successfully growing a business through strategic grant writing. Discover how a solid business model, can lead to significant business growth. This story provides valuable insights on how Christy grown her business, even when starting from scratch. 🦄

Subscribe: @learngrantwriting

Once upon a time, a grant writer unearthed a big problem: there were no options for learning to write grants in a modern, refreshing way. Existing options were “old school” and expensive. The idea? Create an online learning experience that makes grant writing approachable and fun.

Curious how to grow your consulting business? Here is a training on how to make $100k salary working 20 fewer hours per week:

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

Most grant writers are accidentally making their applications harder to read ✍️ Meredith breaks down the #1 tip to write better grant narratives so your reviewer can follow along without hunting for answers. She walks you through how short sentences, smart formatting, and breaking down multi-part questions can completely change how your proposal lands. ✨ Watch to the end for a real example that shows exactly what this looks like in practice.

Not sure if you’ll like grant writing? Take our 16 question personality quiz to see if grant writing is your next career path:

Growing your consulting business? Take the 16 question audit to break your “bad boss” habits & double your salary:

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

Kathryn is a career changer sharing her inspiring journey from journalism to grant writing. She explains how her extensive journalism guide and nonprofit experience provided a solid foundation for her current role, aligning perfectly with her skills and passion. This career development path highlights the fulfilling nature of grant writing and the flexibility of work from home jobs. 🦄

Here is a training on how to build a career in grant writing:

Curious how you could get into grant writing and build a career in it? Here is a training on how to do that without volunteering or having prior experience:

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

Subscribe for new weekly videos on grant writing and building a life you love: @learngrantwriting

Once upon a time, two grant writers unearthed a big problem: nowhere on the internet dared to offer the complete career architecture for grant writers. A collective that grew with you. So they started their own. The Grant Writers Collective is your Work For Yourself University. Except without the boring textbooks or $60k MBA price tag. Developed for people with limited time and a dream of making a difference.

Whether you’re writing your first grant or growing a business & stashing cash for an (early) retirement, we have the systems & training that uplevel your income, flexibility, and JOY. Will it be easy? Nope. But the fulfillment is 1000% worth the professional journey.

From $0 - $250k+ a year, we’re here for it.

🧡 Meredith, Alex, & the Team at Grant Writers Collective

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]

If you are ready to stop doubting your expertise, drop the imposter syndrome, and experience what it feels like to have an entire "family reunion" of like-minded people backing your business, this story is for you.

EPISODE CREDITS:

Hosted by: Meredith Noble & Alex Lustig

Audio Edit by: Ana Castro

Connect with Us:

• Website: [www.learngrantwriting.org]
• Instagram: [@learngrantwriting]
• Facebook: [Learn Grant Writing]