State of the Grant Industry: May 2026 Market Report

July 07, 2026 6:00am 31 min

Each month, we analyze real grant awards and client wins reported by members of the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship to uncover the trends shaping the grant funding landscape and the f...

What Can Make or Break a Nonprofit's Success Before Grant Funding

June 30, 2026 6:00am 39 min

In this episode, Holly talks with Reece Bester, Founder and CEO of Breakthrough Grants, about what nonprofits need to have in place before pursuing grant funding. Reece shares how data, diversified revenue, fiscal respon...

The 2026 Tax Change Every Grant Writer Should Know About

June 23, 2026 6:00am 20 min

The 2026 tax change quietly handed nonprofits a fundraising gift, and most of them have no idea. In this episode, Holly breaks it down in plain English: what changed, who it actually helps, who it does not, and exactly h...

The Price Goes Up Tonight: What Joining Now Actually Locks In

June 21, 2026 4:00am 6 min

If you've been considering joining the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, this episode provides a clear breakdown of what happens when enrollment closes and why this round is different. Holly Rustick explains the Academy's ...

Bonus Ep: "Can I Even Do This? (For Beginners, Career-Changers & ESL Grant Writers)"

June 19, 2026 4:46am 6 min

If you've ever wondered whether you're qualified to become a grant writer, this episode is for you. Holly Rustick answers some of the most common questions from aspiring grant writers, including whether English as a seco...

Bonus Ep: "I Want the Negatives: An Honest Look at Freelance Grant Writing"

June 19, 2026 4:23am 12 min

Freelancing sounds appealing from the outside: flexible hours, meaningful work, and the freedom to build a business on your terms. But what about the challenges no one talks about? In this episode, Holly Rustick shares a...

Bonus Ep: Do Clients Really Pay Every Month? The Truth About Grant Writing Retainers

June 19, 2026 4:06am 5 min

Have you ever wondered whether nonprofits really need grant writing support every month, or if clients will eventually stop paying once they have a few grant templates in hand?In this episode, Holly answers two of the mo...

BONUS: What Is the Summer Curriculum Sprint? Plus Answers to Your Most-Asked Questions

June 19, 2026 3:48am 10 min

Have questions about the Summer Curriculum Sprint, the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, or whether now is the right time to join? In this special bonus episode, Holly answers the most common questions that came in during ...

The Fear Never Fully Goes Away, Even After Six Figures (What 12 Years in Business Taught Me)

June 19, 2026 3:24am 36 min

What if the thing standing between you and a thriving freelance grant writing business isn't lack of experience, but fear?In this deeply personal bonus episode, Holly Rustick pulls back the curtain on her 21-year journey...

The 5 Reasons You Haven't Started a Grant Writing Business Yet (And Why None of Them Are Real)

June 18, 2026 7:03am 19 min

If you've been telling yourself that now isn't the right time to start a freelance grant writing business, this episode is for you. Holly Rustick tackles the five most common reasons aspiring grant writers stay stuck, an...

"Will AI Replace Grant Writers?” The 2026 AI-READY Framework (Embrace It or Reject It)

June 16, 2026 4:00am 29 min

Is AI coming for grant writers, or is it creating more opportunity than ever before? Should you embrace it or reject it?In this episode, Holly Rustick cuts through the fear, hype, and uncertainty surrounding artificial i...

The OMB Proposal: What Grant Writers Actually Need to Know Before July 13

June 09, 2026 6:00am 26 min

The headlines about federal grants this week are a lot — and most of them are missing the most important detail: the OMB proposal is not a law. It is not final. It is a proposal, and you have until July 13, 2026 to weigh...

[Case Study] She Left Her $70K Job and Was Writing Grants for Free: Now She's Getting Paid

June 08, 2026 4:02am 18 min

This is a bonus podcast with a special co-host from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy program!What if the biggest shift in your grant writing business isn’t learning how to write grants, but learning how to think like a...

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

June 08, 2026 4:02am 11 min

This is a bonus podcast with a special co-host from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy program!What happens when nonprofit leadership burnout becomes the catalyst for building a more flexible, purpose-driven career?In th...

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

June 08, 2026 4:00am 8 min

[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.

June 08, 2026 4:00am 23 min

This is a bonus podcast with a special co-host from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy program!What if you could leverage the skills you've built in nonprofit marketing and fundraising to create a thriving grant writing ...

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

June 02, 2026 6:00am 26 min

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 trends from April 2026 and reveals what they mean for gr...

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

May 26, 2026 6:00am 15 min

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 freelance grant writer.Fresh off a coaching call and ...

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

May 19, 2026 6:00am 27 min

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 signals for the future of federal funding, philanthropy...

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

May 12, 2026 6:00am 26 min

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 shares how she’s secured major wins, built long-term c...