Episodes

  • The Future of Philanthropy: 2025 Trends and Insights

    The Future of Philanthropy: 2025 Trends and Insights
    Jul 8 2025

    Explore how cause-driven giving, advocacy, and innovation are reshaping nonprofits in 2025 and beyond. Tune in to listen to Micheal Thatcher from Charity Navigator.


    In this conversation, Holly Rustick speaks with Michael Thatcher, CEO of Charity Navigator, about the evolving landscape of nonprofit evaluation and philanthropy. They discuss the launch of new funds, trends in giving, and the importance of advocacy in the nonprofit sector.


    Michael shares insights on how giving patterns are changing, particularly among younger generations, and the impact of recent legislative changes on nonprofits.


    The conversation emphasizes the need for community engagement and the critical role of nonprofits in addressing societal needs.


    Holly and Michael also discuss how to work with Charity Navigator for developing a free will and how to create a legacy with your assets to nonprofits.


    Connect with Michael Thatcher:
    Charity Navigator

    mthatcher@charitynavigator.org

    Tune in today to listen to this podcast.
    To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/

    "Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

    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!

    Thanks for listening!

    Warmly,
    Holly Rustick
    Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!

    Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid” 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/
    ———————————————————————————

    This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!
    This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems
    ———————————————————————————


    Do you want a FREE Master Grant Template? Grab our FREE 5-Part Private Podcast, where you get
    1) a private podcast episode for 5 days explaining how to write our Academy Master Grant
    2) an editable Master Grant Template
    3) a Master Grant Workbook

    Just visit https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/private-podcast
    Show more Show less
    39 mins
  • Bridging Divides: Connecting for Impact in Today's Fundraising Landscape

    Bridging Divides: Connecting for Impact in Today's Fundraising Landscape
    Jul 1 2025

    Navigating political divides in fundraising—learn how connection, storytelling, and strategy can drive nonprofit success.

    In this conversation, Holly Rustick and Kamy Akhavan discuss the intersection of politics and fundraising, emphasizing the importance of human connection in nonprofit work.


    They explore how social division impacts community engagement and fundraising efforts, while also highlighting opportunities that arise from chaos. The discussion underscores the need for emotional storytelling and relationship building in the nonprofit sector, particularly in grant writing and fundraising strategies.


    Takeaways


    • Politics today influences fundraising efforts significantly
    • The shrinking public square leads to increased isolation
    • Conversations are essential for fostering change and understanding
    • Building trust is crucial for effective communication in nonprofits
    • Networking should be approached with genuine curiosity
    • Creating relationships takes time but is essential for long-term success

      Connect with Kamy Akhavan:
      LinkedIn
      Instagram

      Tune in today to listen to this podcast.
      To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/

      "Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

      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!

      Thanks for listening!

      Warmly,
      Holly Rustick
      Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!

      Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid” 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/
      ———————————————————————————

      This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!
      This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems
      ———————————————————————————


    Do you want a FREE Master Grant Template? Grab our FREE 5-Part Private Podcast, where you get
    1) a private podcast episode for 5 days explaining how to write our Academy Master Grant
    2) an editable Master Grant Template
    3) a Master Grant Workbook

    Just visit https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/private-podcast
    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Find out What Freelance Grant Writers Charged for their Services in 2024

    Find out What Freelance Grant Writers Charged for their Services in 2024
    Jun 24 2025

    Go behind the scenes with Global Development Solutions and their 2024 Freelance Grant Writer Pricing Survey!

    Rachel Waterman and her team have done a 3rd annual Pricing Report! We love everything about this!

    Find out what freelance grant writers are pricing their grant writing surveys.


    Connect with Rachel Waterman:

    Global Development Solutions Website

    LinkedIn

    Grant Easy Management Software

    Tune in today to listen to this podcast.

    To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/


    "Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

    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!


    Thanks for listening!


    Warmly,

    Holly Rustick

    Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!


    Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid” 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/

    ———————————————————————————


    This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

    This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems

    ———————————————————————————


    Do you want a FREE Master Grant Template? Grab our FREE 5-Part Private Podcast, where you get
    1) a private podcast episode for 5 days explaining how to write our Academy Master Grant
    2) an editable Master Grant Template
    3) a Master Grant Workbook

    Just visit https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/private-podcast
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • Gabrielle Quit Her Job When Pregnant & Built a $12K Per Month Grant Writing Business

    Gabrielle Quit Her Job When Pregnant & Built a $12K Per Month Grant Writing Business
    Jun 20 2025

    In this conversation, Holly Rustick interviews Gabrielle Perry, a successful grant writer who shares her journey of transitioning from a 9-5 job to running her own grant writing business. Gabrielle discusses the challenges she faced, the importance of community and mentorship, and how she has achieved significant financial success through value-based pricing and building a strong brand.

    She emphasizes the personal transformation she has experienced, gaining confidence and freedom in her professional and personal life, and highlights the importance of structured education in her growth.

    Takeaways

    • Gabrielle secured $232,784 in grants in 2025.
    • She quit her 9-5 job to thrive in her business.
    • Community and mentorship were crucial for her growth.
    • Overcoming imposter syndrome was a significant challenge.
    • She transitioned from one client to $12,000 a month.
    • Value-based pricing transformed her business.
    • Confidence gained from the Academy was invaluable.
    • She enjoys more freedom and time with her children.
    • Streamlined processes improved her efficiency.
    • Structured education is essential for success.


    Visit www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gabrielle to learn more!

    Join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy to results - just like Gabrielle. https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


    Do you want a FREE Master Grant Template? Grab our FREE 5-Part Private Podcast, where you get
    1) a private podcast episode for 5 days explaining how to write our Academy Master Grant
    2) an editable Master Grant Template
    3) a Master Grant Workbook

    Just visit https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/private-podcast
    Show more Show less
    26 mins
  • First $100K as a Freelance Grant Writer: What These 3 Academy Students Did

    First $100K as a Freelance Grant Writer: What These 3 Academy Students Did
    Jun 19 2025

    Join Payton, Dr. Lauren, and Daphney to discover how they made their first $100,000 inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy.

    Find out more about the Academy: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy


    Do you want a FREE Master Grant Template? Grab our FREE 5-Part Private Podcast, where you get
    1) a private podcast episode for 5 days explaining how to write our Academy Master Grant
    2) an editable Master Grant Template
    3) a Master Grant Workbook

    Just visit https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/private-podcast
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 18 mins
  • First Grant & First Client: 3 Stories Inside the Academy

    First Grant & First Client: 3 Stories Inside the Academy
    Jun 19 2025

    Listen to how Gabrielle, Christina, and Eowyn all got their first grants or clients inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy.


    Do you want a FREE Master Grant Template? Grab our FREE 5-Part Private Podcast, where you get
    1) a private podcast episode for 5 days explaining how to write our Academy Master Grant
    2) an editable Master Grant Template
    3) a Master Grant Workbook

    Just visit https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/private-podcast
    Show more Show less
    43 mins
  • Transformations from the Academy: From Stay-at-Home Mom to Making More Than Her Husband and Relocating to Spain

    Transformations from the Academy: From Stay-at-Home Mom to Making More Than Her Husband and Relocating to Spain
    Jun 17 2025

    This episode is from the Freelance Grant Writer Academy “Cultivating Community: Peer Spotlights and Networking” with our very own co-coaches - Gwen Valentino and D Abshire!


    They share about how they got into grant writing, what their biggest challenges have been, what has been useful in changing their lives in the Academy, and what they see students doing inside the Academy that get the most results!


    Takeaways - they both now have FREEDOM and Choices!


    Gwen shares how she has 13X the amount of revenue she has - now out-performing her husband who is at the top rank of his 22 year job. She talks about how she has options and can now be a sponsor for her kids and so much more!


    D has literally moved from California to Spain in 2025 now that she has a virtual stable job! They have been able to go from volunteering as a board member to helping - and getting paid - as a grant and funding consultant to help smaller nonprofit organizations.


    This is SO good!

    Tune in today to listen to this podcast.

    To learn more about the podcast episodes go to https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-writing-podcast/


    "Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

    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!


    Thanks for listening!


    Warmly,

    Holly Rustick

    Coaches new and experienced grant writers to earn high 5-6 figure incomes writing grants from home!


    Get Freelance Grant Writing Spicy Tips when you Join the weekly newsletter series “Write Grants. Get Paid” 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/

    ———————————————————————————


    This podcast episode was lovingly sponsored by GEMS!

    This podcast episode is lovingly sponsored by Grant Easy Management Software (GEMS). Break Up with Your Spreadsheet – Get GEMS Grant Easy Management Software and NEVER MISS A DEADLINE AGAIN! Book YOUR FREE demo now! Click here: https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/gems

    ———————————————————————————



    Do you want a FREE Master Grant Template? Grab our FREE 5-Part Private Podcast, where you get
    1) a private podcast episode for 5 days explaining how to write our Academy Master Grant
    2) an editable Master Grant Template
    3) a Master Grant Workbook

    Just visit https://www.grantwritingandfunding.com/private-podcast
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • 5 Reasons to Join the Academy in This Round

    5 Reasons to Join the Academy in This Round
    Jun 12 2025
    Here are 5 reasons you should join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy in this Round (i.e. before the doors close on June 22nd).#1) Live Discovery Sales Call Day Lab: Learn, Practice, Convert Happening on Tuesday, June 24th at 2:30 pm - 5pm EST (replay available)We will have a LIVE SALES CALL DAY for Academy students. This will be part of our annual live trainings!#1 - I’ll do a Sales Call training (my 5-Step Proven Process to have high-converting calls)#2 - We have mock sales calls (to show you how to do things right and wrong)#3 - Breakout rooms so you can practice sales calls!You will get an ethical sales process that doesn’t feel salesy at all, and that is curated to do sales with nonprofits for grant writing services (for-profit sales is different!). You will build confidence so you actually go MARKET and don’t feel weird on sales calls again, or give discounts! Learn how to overcome all the objections in an ethical way.Amazing! AND we won’t be offering this Live training again until next year.#2) We have Quit Your Job Training in late July.This will be another LIVE training for those of you looking to quit your job. We will show you:How much money to set aside before quitting your jobTransition your 9-5 into an anchor clientQuickly get a client to build some savingsA Script on how to have the ‘quit your job conversation’ with your bossHow to start treating your 9-5 like a client NOWA Timeline to quit your job safely and responsibly#3) It’s Mid-YearOftentimes people overestimate what they can do in a year, but underestimate what they can do in 6 months. What’s great about making a goal mid-year is that you still have time to do A LOT and have impact. In fact, it’s easier mid-year to meet your goal (vs beginning of the year), because the time doesn’t feel so vast. You know you have limited time. But you know you have enough time to learn a new skill, start a business, or get clients. You might just need help meeting that goal you made in January. And with everything with grants and change this year, you might not have hit the goals so far that you wanted to.2025 is a quarter of the way through the century.2025 can still be your milestone year if you resolve to have a goal NOW.#4) Earn More Money Today for Your RetirementRetirement might feel far away or it might be around the corner.You might be a young mom in your 20s and thinking about what retirement will look like one day.Or you might be ready to retire this year.In either case, when you become a freelance grant writer, you will learn how to increase income for your retirement.That might mean you can start adding more into your social security NOW because your revenue will increase. Another year of adding into that retirement could ESPECIALLY mean a LOT if you are younger because of compound interest.Or it could mean that you are now set up to retire this year as a freelance grant writer and earn some more money into your golden years, without having the pressure of working a full-time job.When you start TODAY that will add to your retirement starting today.5) Join tonight to get the BEST Bonuses!If you are on the fence, you should just go ahead and make the investment tonight. Why?Because you still have another 9 days before the doors actually close the Academy.Since you are on my newsletter list, you joined because you were interested in grant writing or freelance grant writing. In the Academy, we have BOTH.You will get more emails over the next 9 days. We will share all components of how people just like you are changing their entire lives by writing grants from home.It's possible.If you don't join tonight, chances are you will join before the doors close on June 22nd...But you won't be able to have access to these AMAZING BONSUES. In fact, Bonus #2 is happening before the doors even close. You won’t get a Done-For-You Grant Writing Business PlanYou won’t get a Grant Writing Package and Pricing Outlined for You.You won’t get a Grant Writing Retainer and Pricing developed for you.You won’t get a 12-Month Marketing Plan curated for YOU.You won't get a customized list of 25 nonprofit leads.You won't get a personalized system of how to make $10K in 90 days in the program.You won't get a Checklist (you can start next week!) to quit your job.You won't get a Checklist to write a grant.You won't get a checklist to create a 6-figure business.You won't get 2.5 hours in a small coaching group with me where I will hear about your specific situation.If you are on the fence of joining, join by Friday, June 13th so you can be sure to get these BEST Bonuses. They are not included inside the Program.You could have momentum now. Instead of kicking yourself for not joining earlier.2025 is already a year like no other in the Academy. We have EXTRA support and tons of live training and peer sharing this year.BONUS #1 ***NEW BONUS: Done-4-You Freelance Grant Writer Business PlanGet your Ideal Client identified based on your ...
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    18 mins