Grant Writing & Funding The Mindset Behind Securing Grant Proposals
“So, when I get a grant I can just spend money on anything?” Er… no. No, you cannot.
In this episode, we break down why—and it’s one of the most important concepts to understand in grant writing.
At its core, a grant is money given by an organization—most often a government agency—for a specific purpose. And that phrase matters more than anything else.
When you apply for a grant, you are aligning your vision with the funder’s vision. You are agreeing to use that funding exactly as outlined in your proposal. If you don’t, you’re not acting in good faith—and you may be required to return the funds. To make this concept stick, we use a simple (and memorable) metaphor: the teenager and parent relationship.
Think of the funder as the parent—they want to trust you, but that trust is built by following through on what you said you would do. Your job is to show responsibility, alignment, and transparency. We also dive into what happens if you do need to make changes to your budget. Because yes—sometimes adjustments are allowed.
Many grants permit a small percentage of funds to be shifted between already approved budget categories. However, anything beyond that often requires formal approval through a budget modification request. And even when it’s allowed, communication is key. Keeping your grants officer informed helps maintain trust and ensures you stay compliant.
If you’ve ever been unsure about how strict grant spending really is—or how to handle changes—this episode will give you the clarity you need. Remember: a grant is money given for a particular purpose. Stay aligned, stay transparent, and you’ll build strong relationships with funders.
ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK
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.
CONNECT WITH HOLLY RUSTICK
Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
RESOURCES:
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.