All Episodes

[Case Study] Karen Was a Burned-Out Nonprofit ED: Now She Has Time for Her Health, Her Mom, and Work That Inspires Her

What happens when nonprofit leadership burnout becomes the catalyst for building a more flexible, purpose-driven career? In this inspiring case study, guest host D Abs...

[Case Study] Madeline Stopped Chasing One-Off Marketing Clients and Finally Has Steady Income (Thanks to Grant Writing Retainers)

[Case Study] Cindy Was a Nonprofit Marketing Director with Little Grant Experience: She Started a Grant Writing Business on the Side, Made $87,400, and Quit Her Job.

What if you could leverage the skills you've built in nonprofit marketing and fundraising to create a thriving grant writing business—and replace your full-time salary...

FUNDED SERIES: The Future of Grant Writing: What We're Seeing in 2026

What does the future of grant writing look like in an increasingly uncertain funding landscape? In this episode of FUNDED, Holly Rustick analyzes the latest funding t...

Today Is Yesterday: Your Freelance Grant Writing Business Is More Stable Than a J.O.B.

In this powerful solo episode, Holly Rustick shares an unplanned but deeply important message for aspiring and established grant writers alike: this is the era of the ...

What the NSF Board Firing Means for Grant Writers, Federal Funding & Freelancers

In this episode of the Grant Writing & Funding Podcast, Holly Rustick breaks down the shocking dismissal of all 22 members of the National Science Board and what it si...

Why Boutique Grant Writers Are Winning Right Now (And How to Land Higher-Paying Clients Without Burnout)

Discover how a boutique consulting firm can outperform large agencies by leaning into relationships, strategy, and high-touch service. In this episode, Dr. Eve McGee s...

Funded Series: How Our Students Broke $10 Million in Grant Writing Businesses

This month marked a major milestone inside the grant writing community: over $10 million generated in student grant writing businesses and a collective $278 million in...

2026 Federal Funding Changes: What Academic Researchers Must Know Now

In this episode, Holly Rustick shares a real-time update from Guam following a recent super typhoon, and then dives into what every grant writer needs to understand ab...

Beyond Freelancing: The Power of Fractional Work in the Nonprofit Sector

In this episode of the Grant Writing & Funding podcast, Holly Rustick interviews Cindy Wagman, founder of the Nonprofit Fractional Network, about the growing role of f...

Grant Writers Using AI Wrong? The Readiness Problem No One Talks About

Steve Vick returns to the podcast to unpack what nonprofit leaders and grant professionals need to understand about AI adoption right now. As the founder of Bright Non...

[Funded Series] Inside a $1.9M Month

In this February 2026 Funded Series episode, we break down what actually changed in just 30 days inside a growing ecosystem of freelance grant writers and why it matte...

What Separates a $50K Grant Writer From a $150K Grant Business Owner

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 buil...

How Emma Went from Overwhelmed to Organized—and Finally Scaled Her Grant Writing Business

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 wh...

How Alex Built a Scalable Grant Writing Business and Took 2 Weeks Off Without Losing Income

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, Ho...

How to Scale Your Grant Writing Business Without Burning Out

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...

Scaling Smarter: How D Increased Income, Took Vacations, and Reclaimed Their Time

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, profita...

How Marshan Built a Six-Figure Grant Writing Business Without Working All the Time

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...

From Overwhelmed to Confident: How Christine Built a Scalable Grant Writing Business inside The Grant Professional Mentorship

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 Sak...

How Freelance Grant Writers Can Build Retirement Wealth (Even Starting From Zero)

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...