Welcome to a behind-the-scenes look at the Authority Builder Podcast’s conversation with Holly Rustick, a world-renowned grant writer, bestselling author, and business coach. In this episode, “From Many Offers to One Engine: How Focus 10x’d a Grant Writing Business with Holly Rustick,” we dive into Holly’s journey, her mission to help grant writers secure $1 billion in funding by 2030, and the systems that have powered her business growth. If you’re interested in grant writing, entrepreneurship, or building a business with impact, you’ll find plenty of inspiration and practical advice here.

Meet Holly Rustick: Grant Writer, Author, and Business Coach

Holly Rustick is on a mission to “flip the word billion for Forget” by helping grant writers collectively secure $1 billion in funding for causes they care about and build $30 million in business revenue by 2030. With over 20 years in the field, Holly has taught both new and seasoned grant writers how to replace their full-time income by writing grants part-time from home. Through her Freelance Grant Writer Academy and mentorship programmes, she’s helped students win over $250 million in grants and more than $7 million through their own businesses.

Based on the island of Guam, Holly’s story is unique. Despite living far from the majority of her North American clients, she’s built a thriving online business, proving that location is no barrier to success in the digital age.

Building a Business from Anywhere

Holly’s journey began in Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami, where she found herself writing her first “grant” without even realising it. Her career has since taken her across the globe, from Kuwait to Brussels, always with grant writing as a constant thread. She’s worked virtually since the early 2000s, long before remote work became mainstream.

Her transition to full-time entrepreneurship came in 2014, driven by a desire for flexibility as a single mother and a need to escape a toxic work environment. Holly’s story is a testament to the power of listening to your body and making bold changes when life demands it.

Empowering Women and Changing the Nonprofit Sector

A striking statistic: 82% of freelance grant writers are women. Holly’s programmes don’t just teach grant writing—they focus on mindset, boundaries, and breaking free from the toxic patterns often found in the nonprofit sector. She’s passionate about helping women build financial stability, set boundaries, and create businesses that support their lives, not the other way round.

Her community is diverse, with members ranging from university students to baby boomers, and from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. The richness of experience and backgrounds makes for a vibrant, supportive environment.

Results Tracking and Systems for Success

One of the keys to Holly’s business growth is her robust results tracking system, built in Airtable. Every time a student wins a grant or lands a client, it’s logged and celebrated. The system tracks not just the amount won, but also the type of grant, the source, and which part of the academy helped secure the win. This transparency allows students to learn from each other and see what’s working in real time.

Holly also uses Slack to celebrate daily wins and keep the community engaged. The data collected feeds into her marketing, podcast content, and helps prospective students see the tangible impact of her programmes.

Offer Architecture: Two Programmes, One Mission

Holly’s business is built around two core programmes:

• Freelance Grant Writer Academy: A 12-month signature programme for those new to grant writing or business, offering coaching, curriculum, and live training. It’s designed to help students replace their full-time income with part-time grant writing.
• Grant Professional Mentorship: For established business owners ready to scale, hire a team, or develop their own training programmes. This higher-touch, more intimate programme focuses on scaling, systems, and adding new income streams.

The separation ensures that students get the right support at the right stage, without overwhelm.

Authority Building: Podcast and Book

Holly’s podcast, Grant Writing & Funding, has been the number one grant writing show for years. She started it on a bet in 2017, and it’s become a cornerstone of her authority and lead generation. She’s built real relationships, grown her audience, and established herself as a thought leader in the sector.

Her book, The Beginner’s Guide to Grant Writing, is used in universities and nonprofits worldwide. Holly shared valuable lessons about book marketing—like the importance of literal, SEO-friendly titles over witty ones—and how she leveraged an advanced reader team to generate early reviews and feedback.

Marketing and Outreach: Organic Growth and What’s Next

Despite her success, Holly admits she’s done very little active outbound marketing. Most of her growth has been organic, fuelled by her podcast, book, and word of mouth. Now, with proven systems and results, she’s ready to scale up her outreach and bring more students into her programmes.

Her mission is clear: by 2030, help her community secure $1 billion in grant funding and $30 million in business revenue. It’s a win-win-win—for grant writers, nonprofits, and the communities they serve.

Listen to the Full Episode

This conversation is packed with insights on business building, mindset, systems, and the power of community. If you want to hear the full story and get even more practical tips from Holly, listen to the episode on Buzzsprout.

Whether you’re a grant writer, entrepreneur, or simply looking for inspiration to build a business with impact, Holly’s journey offers a roadmap for success.