Grant Writing & Funding

Latest Episodes:

How Alex Built a Scalable Grant Writing Business and Took 2 Weeks Off Without Losing Income Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

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 does it really take to move from freelancer to CEO—and finally take time off without your business falling apart?

In this special mentorship spotlight episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Alexandra Cohen, founder of ANC Consult, to share her journey of building, refining, and scaling her grant writing business.

Alexandra first joined one of Holly’s earliest programs back in 2022, then rejoined years later to grow and scale her business in a more sustainable way. Since then, she’s streamlined her services, shifted fully into nonprofit work, increased retainer clients, and—perhaps most importantly—built systems that allow her to step away from her business without everything stopping.

If you're ready to grow beyond freelancing, create consistent income, and build a business that supports your life (not the other way around), this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Alexandra transitioned from freelance consulting to a structured business
The mindset shift required to scale your grant writing services
Why systems and SOPs are critical for growth (and freedom)
How to move into retainer-based clients for more stability
The power of community and mastermind support in business growth
How Alexandra now confidently takes extended vacations without losing income
New ways to expand your services (including training programs and group offers)

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Alexandra helps nonprofits strengthen their fundraising, diversify revenue, and build the operational infrastructure needed for sustainable growth. She works with Executive Directors, development teams, and boards to clarify strategy, streamline systems, and create practical plans that translate ambitious goals into actionable, fundable plans.

Known for blending data with storytelling, Alexandra supports nonprofits in developing competitive grant proposals and donor communications that clearly articulate need, impact, and outcomes. Her work helps organizations translate programs, evaluation data, and financial priorities into compelling narratives that resonate with institutional funders and individual donors alike -strengthening funding relationships and supporting long-term revenue growth.

Before launching ANC Consult, Alexandra spent 15 years as a litigation attorney, developing skills in strategy, communication, and creative problem-solving that now inform her work with mission-driven organizations. She holds degrees from Johns Hopkins University (B.A.), Hofstra University School of Law (J.D.), and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MBA/MA in Social Enterprise & Finance and International Policy & Development).

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Website: https://anc-consult.com

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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!

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 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.

How to Scale Your Grant Writing Business Without Burning Out Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

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

Many successful grant writers eventually reach a moment where their business hits a ceiling, not because there isn’t demand, but because their business relies entirely on their personal capacity.

In this episode, Holly Rustick discusses the transition from operating solely as a freelancer to stepping into the role of CEO of your grant writing business. She explores why burnout often appears when grant writers reach full client capacity and how shifting your mindset, systems, and support structure can create sustainable growth.

Holly shares how grant writers can scale beyond the freelancer model by implementing systems, hiring support, and developing diversified income streams that reduce pressure while increasing revenue potential.

If your grant writing business has momentum but you're starting to feel stretched thin, this episode will help you understand the next stage of growth—and how to move toward it strategically.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Why many successful grant writers eventually hit a capacity ceiling
• The difference between operating as a freelancer and leading as a CEO
• How burnout often develops in high-demand grant writing businesses
• Why systems and support are essential for scaling sustainably
• Practical ways grant writers can expand beyond proposal writing
• How diversified income streams can stabilize and grow your business

KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED

• The freelancer capacity trap
• Transitioning from service provider to business leader
• Hiring support such as virtual assistants and subcontract grant writers
• Creating systems and SOPs for proposal development
• Building additional income streams like training, consulting, and resources
• How scalable structures lead to sustainable growth

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

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

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

How Marshan Built a Six-Figure Grant Writing Business Without Working All the Time Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

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

Marshan Marick shares how niching into public health grants, building stronger systems, and shifting her mindset helped her grow a sustainable six-figure grant writing business. In this episode, she talks about moving from doing everything manually to creating repeatable processes, defining growth on her own terms, and building a business that supports both her income goals and her family life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Marshan transitioned from an experienced grant writer to a systems-driven business owner
Why niching down into public health made her business more sustainable and profitable
The difference between grant writing skills vs. running a grant writing business
How building systems helped her scale without working more hours
The mindset shifts that helped her move beyond “just replacing income” to growing real wealth
How she created a 30-hour workweek while increasing revenue
Why community and mentorship were key to navigating uncertainty and growth

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Dr. Marshan Marick, is the founder of Health Integrated Solutions, a small business helping nonprofits reach their mission through strategic grant strategies and nonprofit consulting. She has been a grant writer for over 15 years, and has enjoyed supporting the work of a wide array of nonprofit organizations. Marshan specializes in health focused initiatives, and has been successful in helping organizations fund their programs and support their mission through government and philanthropic grants.

Marshan is passionate about helping organizations make a difference in their communities, and works to equip organizations with the skills and tools needed to become successful and sustainable. Marshan also has extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, training, strategic planning, and community engagement.

Marshan received her DrPH in Health Administration and Policy, with an emphasis in Public Health Leadership from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and also teaches as an adjunct professor at Oklahoma State University. Her focus on public health has resulted in a successful career in academia, research, evaluation, and community engagement.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Website: www.hisconsulting.org

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

Scaling Smarter: How D Increased Income, Took Vacations, and Reclaimed Their Time Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

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

D Abshire of Aim for Funding shares how joining the Grant Professional Mentorship helped them move from burnout and 60–80 hour workweeks to a more sustainable, profitable grant writing business. In this conversation, D opens up about doubling her income with fewer clients, taking her first real vacation in years, and building the systems and boundaries that gave her both business growth and personal freedom.

They also talks about the power of coaching, community, and having a proven framework to follow—especially when you know something needs to change but you are not sure how to change it. D’s story is a powerful reminder that success does not have to happen overnight to be life-changing.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

D Abshire (they/them) is a lifelong learner, community volunteer, nonprofit board member, and Development professional who fell into writing grants during the COVID-19 global pandemic and then fell in love with the process and observable positive impact grant funding had upon community-based organizations.

D has developed expertise in facilitating and implementing strategic steps to get small- to medium-sized nonprofits funded with their first community and foundational grants and has helped to grow all client bottom lines by three hundred to five hundred percent over the past three years.

By utilizing skills developed through a career in technical corporate training and team building, D crafts a blend of Development approaches with organizational leadership to establish diverse revenue streams, enabling nonprofits to focus on what they do best. These organizations have gone from merely surviving to thriving, all utilizing a blend of funding types that fit their needs and the unique expression of their Missions.

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

From Overwhelmed to Confident: How Christine Built a Scalable Grant Writing Business inside The Grant Professional Mentorship Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

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 happens when you stop letting your business “just happen” to you—and start building it with intention? In this episode, Holly Rustick sits down with Christine Sakwitz, owner and primary consultant of Kingdom Come Consulting, to share her journey from feeling scattered and reactive in her grant writing business to building clarity, confidence, and consistent revenue.

Christine opens up about how coaching, community, and systems inside the Grant Professional Mentorship transformed the way she shows up as a business owner. From landing $15K in a single month to confidently pricing her services and loving discovery calls, this conversation is packed with real talk and actionable insights for grant writers ready to level up.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, undercharging, or unsure how to grow your business—this episode will show you what’s possible.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

How Christine went from unclear services to a focused, scalable offer suite
The biggest mindset shift that changed how she approaches pricing and sales
Why coaching is the #1 factor in business success (and how it paid off fast)
The power of systems, SOPs, and monthly cash flow tracking
How community and collaboration can accelerate your growth
What it really takes to move from “reactive” to “intentional” in business

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Christine Sakwitz is the owner and primary consultant of Kingdom Come Consulting, where she supports faith-based organizations and churches in securing grant funding and building sustainable programs. With a passion for helping mission-driven organizations thrive, Christine specializes in grant writing and strategic development tailored to nonprofit impact.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

Website: https://kingdomcomeconsulting.com

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

How Freelance Grant Writers Can Build Retirement Wealth (Even Starting From Zero) Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

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

In this episode, Holly Rustick discusses why freelance grant writing is one of the most powerful and recession-resistant skill sets nonprofit professionals can develop. She explains how building a stable freelance grant writing business allows you to take control of your financial future instead of relying on a single employer for retirement.

Holly walks through the common financial challenges nonprofit professionals face, how to start thinking like a CEO with your freelance income, and the retirement investment options available to self-employed grant writers. She also shares strategies for creating predictable income through retainers, diversifying income streams, and protecting your time so you can build a sustainable grant writing business that supports both your present and your future.

If you’ve ever wondered how freelance grant writing can lead to financial freedom and long-term security, this episode will show you how to start building toward that future today.

ABOUT HOLLY RUSTICK

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 RUSTICK

Website: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-rustick-0765b817/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GrantWritingandFunding
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyrustick

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 PODCAST

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 the show.

Thanks for listening!

Warmly,
Holly Rustick

The Systems That Helped Amy Krigsman Double Her Grant Writing Business Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

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

Amy Krigsman shares how she doubled her revenue in 2025, reached her first six-figure year, and began scaling ARK Nonprofit Consulting with the support of the Grant Professional Mentorship.

In this case study episode, she talks candidly about moving through the messy middle of business growth, reinvesting in targeted support, building a trusted team, and creating more space in her business by hiring subcontractors and a business development manager. Amy also reflects on why she wishes she had joined mentorship sooner and how one-on-one coaching, peer support, and better business systems helped her grow with more confidence and less stress.

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Amy Krigsman is the Founder, CEO, and Principal Grant Strategist of ARK Nonprofit Consulting. She is passionate about helping nonprofits raise critical funds from institutional partners to ensure their long-term sustainability. My work focuses on creating effective grants strategies, crafting compelling narratives, and building relationships with funders. I offer full grant lifecycle management from research through reporting, including identifying funding opportunities, developing powerful proposals, developing relationships with funders on your behalf, and submitting follow-up reporting for awarded grants. I have worked with a variety of causes including health equity, the arts, and youth development. Ideal clients are nonprofit organizations anywhere in the U.S. with budgets of between $1M and $15M without a dedicated grants manager.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
Website: https://www.arknonprofitconsulting.com/
Linkedin:www.linkedin.com/in/amykrigsman/

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

How Nekaysha Built a Grant Membership for Small Businesses Inside the Mentorship Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

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

In this episode, Holly Rustick talks with Nekaycha Cavil, Founder and Lead Consultant of Connected Haven, about how she refined her consulting business and created a scalable offer inside the Grant Professional Mentorship.

Nekaycha shares how she moved from being a broad generalist to gaining clarity in her services and positioning. With the mentorship support, she transformed a growing database of grant opportunities into a structured membership designed to help small businesses access funding opportunities and understand how grants actually work.

She also discusses the mindset shifts required to move from survival mode to building a thriving consulting business, why execution matters more than perfection, and how investing in mentorship can accelerate growth and confidence.

Nekaycha also shares her perspective on the importance of inclusive business communities where entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds feel supported, understood, and empowered to grow.

If you’re a grant professional or consultant looking to scale your services, refine your positioning, or create new revenue streams beyond traditional grant writing, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Nekaycha Cavil is the Founder and Lead Consultant of Connected Haven, a circular systems consulting firm focused on governance, policy, funding strategy, and racial equity. Her work supports entrepreneurs, organizations, and communities by helping them navigate complex systems related to funding, economic development, and policy.

Through her consulting and educational resources, Nekaycha helps small businesses understand grant opportunities, funding structures, and strategic positioning so they can access capital without relying solely on loans.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn: Nekaycha Cavil
Website: Connected Haven Consulting

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

Leading the $1 Billion for Good Movement: By 2030, aspiring and seasoned grant writers inside the Freelance Grant Writer Academy & Grant Professional Mentorship will

WIN $1 Billion in Grants, and
MAKE $30 Million in their Grant Writing Businesses.

We are on our way already.

How Sara Fixed Her Pricing After 20 Years in Grant Writing Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

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

Sara Cohen shares what it looks like to level up a grant writing business after 10 years of experience. In this conversation, she opens up about leaving nonprofit dysfunction behind, building a business through word of mouth, and reaching a point where she knew it was time to refine her systems, pricing, and boundaries.

Sara talks candidly about a major mindset shift she experienced inside the Grant Professional Mentorship: moving away from hourly-based retainers and toward a more sustainable consultant model built on deliverables and clear boundaries. She also shares how tools like SOPs and the Master Grant Application are helping her create more structure, streamline her workflow, and prepare for future growth.

If you’re an experienced grant professional who knows how to do the work but wants to run a stronger, more scalable business, this episode is full of insight and encouragement.

ABOUT OUR GUEST
Sara Cohen began her consulting business in September 2014 after 15 years in various fundraising positions at several nonprofits. Over her 25-year nonprofit career, she has raised over $70,000,000 for the organizations she represented. She has successfully written foundation, corporate, county, state, and federal grants in the areas of secondary education, early childhood education and early intervention, youth behavioral health, disabilities, the arts (primarily music, dance, and theater), workforce development, museums, and human services. Sara is committed to constant self-improvement and has acquired the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and the Grant Professionals Certified (GPC) certifications.

She is very open and collaborative with her clients and their staff. Additionally, her past experience in the corporate sector strengthened her analytical and problem-solving skills, which she has been able to draw on when working with clients.

When Sara is not working with her inspiring clients, she can be found with her nose in a book, out running or walking, enjoying Chicago's cultural and culinary splendor, or spending time with friends, family, and her adorable mutt.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST
LinkedIn

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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

From Grant Writer to CEO: How Guy Broke $100K and Scaled Beyond 1:1 Client Work Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

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 happens when you stop thinking like a technician and start thinking like a CEO?

In this powerful case study interview, Holly sits down with mentorship student Guy A. Holley to unpack the mindset, systems, and strategic shifts that helped him break through his long-standing revenue ceiling and surpass his first $100K year by an additional $15K–$20K.

Guy shares how moving from ad-hoc grant projects to scalable systems, implementing SOPs, setting firm boundaries, and aligning his business with his core values completely transformed both his income and his family life.

If you’re ready to stop hitting revenue plateaus and start building a grant writing business that creates time freedom, this episode is for you.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Guy A. Holley is a grant professional, mentor student inside the Grant Professional Mentorship, and former 4-H leader who scaled a local youth program from 0 to 2,200 students through strategic grant funding.

Growing up watching his mother write grants for 4-H planted early seeds, but it wasn’t until discovering the Grant Writing & Funding podcast while pursuing his master’s degree that he realized grant writing could become a scalable business model.

Today, Guy has transitioned from one-off subcontracting and ad-hoc projects to building systems, workshops, and scalable offers — all while protecting time with his wife and four young children.

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyaholley/

In This Episode, We Discuss:

How Guy surpassed his $100K revenue goal by an additional $15K–$20K
The CEO mindset shift that unlocked his breakthrough year
Moving from “technician mode” to strategic business owner
Why documenting SOPs was the key to scalability and hiring
How mentorship provided a “third side of the coin” perspective
Clarifying his Ideal Customer Profile through core values alignment
Setting non-negotiable boundaries (no evening calls!) to protect family time
Replacing a 90-minute client call with a 30-minute AI-powered system
How community “possibility models” accelerate belief and action

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/mentorship

RATE, REVIEW, & FOLLOW THE PODCAST

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