Grant Writing & Funding

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about grant writing—and believing these myths can hold you back from success.

In this episode, we break down seven of the most common grant writing myths and what you actually need to know.

First, let’s talk about the idea that grants are easy to get. While grants are absolutely possible to win, they are competitive and require skill, strategy, and practice to write effectively. We also unpack the misconception that grants never have to be paid back. While generally true, funds must be used exactly as approved—or you risk having to return them. Always communicate with the funder before making any changes to your budget.

Another big myth? That grants can be used for personal expenses. The reality is that grants are awarded for specific program purposes—not to pay off personal debt or unrelated costs. We also cover the belief that grant writing is just like writing an English paper. While writing skills help, grant writing is a technical craft with its own rules and structure.

And let’s talk about money. You should not be writing grants for free if you have the skills and experience—you can and should get paid for your work. But at the same time, working on commission is not ethical and goes against industry best practices.

Finally, we address whether you can get paid clients without experience. If you’re new, it’s important to first build your skills—through volunteering, training, or internships—so you can confidently deliver results and charge for your services.

If you’re ready to separate fact from fiction and build a strong foundation in grant writing, this episode is a must-listen.

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. 

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/

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

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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.