Episode Details

Freelance Grant Writer Summit | Free, 2-Day Summit October 13th–14th

Learn how to find better-fit clients, confidently price your services, and build consistent freelance income through live trainings, panels, and coaching.

Save your free seat: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/grant-summit

What are nonprofits actually paying freelance grant writers for, and what can those services teach you about building more consistent income for your grant business?

In this episode of our monthly Funded Series, Holly Rustick breaks down August, 2026 results from students inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and Grant Professional Mentorship. Students reported approximately $40.9 million in grant awards across 36 wins, along with more than $350,000 in client sales.

But the biggest takeaway isn’t simply the dollar amount. It’s what nonprofits are buying.

From monthly retainers and grant research to grant readiness, proposal reviews, strategic planning, prospect research, and even CRM migration, these results show that nonprofits are paying for grant expertise that extends well beyond writing individual applications.

Holly explores five key patterns emerging from the August data, including the role of recurring retainers, how smaller offers can open the door to larger engagements, why pricing confidence matters, and how strong client relationships can create additional revenue opportunities.

You’ll also learn how to approach your next Discovery Call differently by diagnosing the organization’s entire funding process instead of simply asking what grants they need written.

If you’re ready to move from freelancing as a grant writer to building a sustainable freelance grant writing business, this episode will help you think differently about the problems you solve, the services you offer, and the value of your expertise.

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/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWritingandFunding

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.

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