What if the biggest opportunity in grant funding right now isn’t federal money at all?
In this episode of The Funded Series, Holly Rustick breaks down the real grant and client wins reported by members of the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and Grant Professional Mentorship in July 2026—and the numbers challenge some of the biggest assumptions in the grant writing industry.
In just one month, 41 grant wins totaled $3,511,001.88 for nonprofit clients. And while federal grants are often treated like the “big leagues,” private and family foundations accounted for 30 of those wins and 76.6% of all grant dollars awarded.
Holly digs into what these numbers mean for grant writers and nonprofits, why local government funding deserves a place in your funding strategy, and what the stories behind the wins reveal about building a sustainable grant writing business.
She also flips the ledger to look at the money grant writers generated for themselves: 32 client wins totaling $526,234. Retainers led the way, with renewals and upsells showing why your next revenue opportunity may already exist within your current client relationships.
You’ll also hear what grant writers said actually helped them close business—from pricing and offer feedback to coaching, ethical sales strategies, and peer support—and why learning to confidently charge for your expertise can be just as important as learning how to write a winning grant.
If you’re waiting for federal funding, constantly chasing new leads, undercharging for your grant writing services, or wondering what is actually working in the grant funding world right now, this episode gives you the numbers—and the lessons behind them.
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. 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.