

Grant Writing & Funding
Holly Rustick
Quit your toxic nonprofit job and replace your full-time income while writing grants part-time, from home! Join our students in the Freelance Grant Writer Academy to create Financial Stability and Flexibility through writing grants for causes you are passionate about: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy
World-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick provides coaching that helps new and experienced grant writers replace their full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or anywhere they want to live or travel in the world).
She coaches changemakers to master grant writing and start to grow 6-figure+ grant writing businesses on part-time hours via her signature group program, “Freelance Grant Writer Academy."
As an unapologetic feminist, Holly’s work in coaching female grant writers to master grant writing, find their cause-area niche, and navigate value-based pricing and nonprofit sales is breaking glass ceilings for women all over the world.
Every week, she coaches thousands of people through the top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy.
Holly has 20 years of experience in grant writing, and began her freelance grant writing journey back in 2005. While teaching in Kuwait and Indonesia, and then earning a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy in Belgium, Holly saw the light of setting up a virtual-based business in grant writing back in the mid-2000s. Having secured more than $45 million of dollars for nonprofit organizations, and then setting up a multi 6-figure freelance business, Holly has a mission to help female grant writers break out of toxic nonprofit J-O-B-S and create high-level income while freelance grant writing.
Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, students have secured more than $225+ million in grant funding and $4+ million in revenue in their grant writing businesses within two years.
To amplify this work, she is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Guam Business Advisory Task Force as an advisor to the first female governor of Guam. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.
If you are interested in replacing your full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or from anywhere in the world!) join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy!
www.grantwritingandfunding.com.
World-renowned grant writing expert and Amazon bestselling author Holly Rustick provides coaching that helps new and experienced grant writers replace their full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or anywhere they want to live or travel in the world).
She coaches changemakers to master grant writing and start to grow 6-figure+ grant writing businesses on part-time hours via her signature group program, “Freelance Grant Writer Academy."
As an unapologetic feminist, Holly’s work in coaching female grant writers to master grant writing, find their cause-area niche, and navigate value-based pricing and nonprofit sales is breaking glass ceilings for women all over the world.
Every week, she coaches thousands of people through the top-ranking podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, books on grant writing, and inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy.
Holly has 20 years of experience in grant writing, and began her freelance grant writing journey back in 2005. While teaching in Kuwait and Indonesia, and then earning a Master’s Degree in International Political Economy in Belgium, Holly saw the light of setting up a virtual-based business in grant writing back in the mid-2000s. Having secured more than $45 million of dollars for nonprofit organizations, and then setting up a multi 6-figure freelance business, Holly has a mission to help female grant writers break out of toxic nonprofit J-O-B-S and create high-level income while freelance grant writing.
Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, students have secured more than $225+ million in grant funding and $4+ million in revenue in their grant writing businesses within two years.
To amplify this work, she is past-president of the Guam Women’s Chamber of Commerce and was appointed to the Guam Business Advisory Task Force as an advisor to the first female governor of Guam. Holly lives on the island of Guam with her beautiful daughter, Isabella.
If you are interested in replacing your full-time income while writing grants part-time from home (or from anywhere in the world!) join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy!
www.grantwritingandfunding.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 26, 2024 • 7min
Bonus Ep. Learn How to Get a Nonprofit Grant Ready in the Academy
Doors are Now Open to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy (for the final time in 2024)!
Join by Oct. 27th if you are an aspiring or seasoned grant writer and want to Replace Your Full-Time Income, on Flexible Hours, Writing Grants from Home.
>>Join Now: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
In this podcast episode, Holly discusses how to get nonprofits grant ready.
Inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, we have a bonus - the Nonprofit Wellness Audit which includes a complete Nonprofit Wellness Audit checklist, rating system, and FULL report.
This can be a service you do as a stand-alone OR part of your packages/retainer.
We show you how to utilize this as a selling point so that you can make sure that funding sources don’t have red flags to the overall nonprofit.
Hint - this will also increase your grant competitiveness when the nonprofit has their ducks in a row. You can charge $2,500 for just ONE Nonprofit Wellness Audit.
Join the Academy today to get this report! https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
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/
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Oct 26, 2024 • 10min
Bonus Ep. Learn Strategic Planning inside the Academy
Doors are Now Open to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy (for the final time in 2024)!
Join by Oct. 27th if you are an aspiring or seasoned grant writer and want to Replace Your Full-Time Income, on Flexible Hours, Writing Grants from Home.
>>Join Now: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
In this podcast episode, Holly discusses how to do Strategic Planning for Nonprofits and what all is included inside the Academy (wink-wink: you get training on how to do strategic planning for nonprofits, how much to charge, and how to roll it into your services).
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/
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Oct 25, 2024 • 8min
Bonus Ep. Your Heart Strings Won't Pay the Bills. Stop Giving Discounts on Grant Writing.
*Doors Close to the Academy on Sunday, October 27th at 11:59 pm EST. Be sure to join for the Final time in 2024 so you can Replace Your Full-Time Income, on Flexible Hours, Writing Grants From Home.
>> https://grantwritingandfunding.com/academy
Giving discounts doesn’t make you a nice person.
I’m sure you already are a nice person as you want to help nonprofits with causes that you care about getting funding.
It can be a win-win situation, heart strings and all.
Inside the Academy, we help you design the RIGHT number of deliverables for your clients at the right price.
You will figure this out going through our Change Statement Formula and get coaching and feedback on it.
You can still get your heart strings pulled, be a nice person, and get paid - your full rates.
When you join the Freelance Grant Writer Academy, you get our formula to figure out how to price your unique services.
In the first 90 days, you will work through the Change Statement to come up with your service offerings for the nonprofits that pull your heart strings.
You will get this figured out before the end of the year - and it will literally take you only a few hours to work through this, get feedback, and get coaching.
Even if you have a full-time job, kids running around, and travel on your plate.
You will walk away with having grant writing services that only deliver services based on fair pricing.
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/
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Oct 25, 2024 • 10min
Bonus Ep. Will Your Nonprofit Job Be Upset Or Fire You If They Know You Are Freelance Grant Writing?
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is Now Open 🎉
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours.
Doors close on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST.
👉 Join the Academy https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
In this podcast episode, Holly Rustick discusses how you can protect yourself when you transition into freelance grant writing.
______________________________________________________
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/
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Oct 24, 2024 • 45min
BONUS: With 11 years of Grant Writing Experience, Shonet made $83K in her Business
What does it look like to turn grant writing experience into a thriving freelance business?In this episode, we sit down with Shonet, who joined the Freelance Grant Writer Academy with 11 years of grant writing experience—but less than a year of running her own business. In just one year, she generated $83,145 in revenue and secured $190,000 in grant awards for her clients.We dive into her journey from employee to entrepreneur, how she structured and grew her business, and the mindset shifts that helped her step into her value as a freelance grant writer.If you’ve been wondering what’s possible when you combine your skills with the right systems and strategy, Shonet’s story will both inspire and show you what’s achievable.ABOUT OUR GUESTShonet is a professional grant writer and consultant with over a decade of experience securing funding for nonprofit organizations. After years of working in grant writing roles, she transitioned into freelance consulting and quickly built a successful business.Within her first year as a freelance grant writer, Shonet generated over $83,000 in revenue and helped her clients secure $190,000 in grant funding. She is passionate about helping nonprofits access the resources they need while building a sustainable and profitable grant writing business.OTHER 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/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, 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!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading 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.

Oct 24, 2024 • 12min
Bonus Ep. Don’t Think You Have the Time to Write the Number of Grants to Get Paid Well?
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is Now Open 🎉
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours.
Doors close on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST.
👉 Join the Academy grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-g…ter-academy
In this bonus podcast episode, Holly Rustick discusses how you don't need 40 hours a week to learn how to write grants and start a profitable business.
______________________________________________________
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” grantwritingandfunding.com/
Freelance Grant Writer Academy: Replace your Full-Time Income Writing Grants Part-Time from Home.
grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-g…er-academy/
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Oct 24, 2024 • 11min
Bonus Ep: Even Introverts Can Get Nonprofit Clients for their Grant Writing Businesses
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is Now Open 🎉
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours.
Doors close on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST.
👉 Join the Academy https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy
In this podcast episode, Holly Rustick discusses how introverts can get grant writing clients.
______________________________________________________
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/
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Oct 24, 2024 • 7min
Bonus Ep. Can I Quit my 9-5 and do Freelance Grant Writing or do I have to Keep my Job?
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is Now Open 🎉
The Freelance Grant Writer Academy is a 12-Month group coaching program, where aspiring and seasoned grant writers get curriculum, coaching, and a community to be financially stable on flexible hours.
Doors close on Sunday, Oct. 27th at 11:59 pm EST.
👉 Join the Academy https://grantwritingandfunding.com/freelance-grant-writer-academy/
In this podcast episode, Holly Rustick discusses how to transition from a 9-5 to freelance grant writing.
______________________________________________________
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/
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Oct 23, 2024 • 13min
BONUS: Get Your Nonprofit to Pay for the Academy
In this episode, Holly Rustick speaks directly to grant writers who may feel stuck working in a toxic nonprofit environment or operating on a restricted income. She shares a powerful strategy many of her Academy students use—getting their nonprofit to pay for their grant writing training. Holly explains why this makes sense, especially if you’ve been tasked with writing grants without formal training, and how to position this opportunity as a win-win for both you and your organization. If you’re ready to grow your skills and increase your earning potential without taking on financial risk, this episode is for you.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant 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, and 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 RUSTICKWebsite: 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/mentorshipRATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, 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!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading 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.

Oct 22, 2024 • 21min
Do Nonprofits Have Money to Hire You for Your Grant Writing Services?
Nonprofits will happily hire you for your grant writing services.Says hundreds of freelance grant writers and nonprofits that I, and Academy students, have worked with.A nonprofit is a business. It is just a not-for-profit business, meaning all profit goes back into the business.They still need to pay for some (or all) of the following:Rent or lease a spaceProcure materials (paper, printers, etc.)Hire staff AND CONSULTANTSBuy computersPay for water and power and maintenancePurchase vehicles…and SO much more.They still contract out workers.This is HUGE!So if this is the case, why do so many of you think that nonprofits don’t have money to hire you?It’s because of some questions that nonprofits have:Can you work pro bono?Do you offer discounts?Can you get paid on commission?How many grants have you won?Nonprofits will ask you these questions. It doesn’t mean by saying “no” to any of these means they won’t become clients.These are just questions they feel they need to ask. Oftentimes, their board of directors will tell them to ask this question during any interview.It doesn’t mean that you need to say yes.It’s just a question that needs to be answered.Just think of this. If a nonprofit books a Discovery Sales Call with you – and you follow our recommendation to ask vetted questions with one main one being “Do you have a budget range to hire a grant writer and work with us?” Then they know you aren’t doing pro bono work.Even if they haven’t figured out how to get money yet to hire you, they booked a call with you with that thought in the back of their mind, “How can I find money for this?”Just like you aren’t going to book a sales call with a social media marketing company or even a doctor without knowing you are going to have to pay for the services rendered.How you respond to those questions is the Make or Break of Getting them as a Happily Paying Client. Inside the ETHICAL NONPROFIT SALES SYSTEM we teach you how to respond to these questions in an ethical way AND how to happily convert them to a paying client!In 15 months, our Academy students have collectively made $2.2 million in their freelance grant writing businesses. So obviously nonprofits have money – literally millions, to pay for your grant writing services.But you need the language on how to respond to these questions. Here are some tips for you:Don’t be offended when they ask if you can work for free. Tell them no and why.List pre-questions on your Discovery Sales Call page, including: “Do you have a budget range to hire a grant writer?”Also add a disclaimer on the Sales Call page “We do not offer free services.”Be curious instead of offended when they continue to say they have no money to hire you. Ask questions like: “How would getting grants solve problems at your nonprofit? Do you have time to learn how to write grants and keep up with a grants calendar? How would hiring us alleviate your stress of knowing that grant writing is a priority but also knowing you don’t have time to do it? Have you hired a grant writer before? If so, what did you like / not like about it?”Ask them leading questions on how they could get funding, “Can your board come up with funding for this if it’s important and a priority for your nonprofit?”“Do you have any unrestricted funds?” “How would it feel to hold a fundraiser to hire us so we can build out a strategy for you?”“Could you reach out to a corporation and ask them to be a sponsor to hire a grant writer so you can build capacity?”Most nonprofits do have revenue to hire you. Learn our Nonprofit Ethical Sales Systems on how to ethically respond to these questions so you show up to calls NOT feeling sleazy, but feeling helpful.ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICKGrant 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 RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCASTFavor, 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!Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Grant Writing & Funding podcast to get grant and freelance grant writing proven strategies and conversations in your podcast player every single week.Thanks for listening!Warmly,Holly RustickLeading 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. W...


