About this episode

Holly Rustick discusses the impact of AI on grant writing and introduces her AI-READY Framework to help grant writers adapt to changes in the industry.

Is AI coming for grant writers, or is it creating more opportunity than ever before? Should you embrace it or reject it? In this episode, Holly Rustick cuts through the fear, hype, and uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence and the future of grant writing. Drawing on more than 20 years of grant writing experience and over a decade of coaching freelance grant writers, Holly introduces her new AI-READY Framework : a practical five-step approach to help grant writers confidently navigate the rapidly evolving landscape. You'll learn why the biggest threat isn't AI itself, but indecision, how to establish a reliable source of truth when using AI tools, why every grant writer should have a clear AI policy, and how to communicate your unique value in a world increasingly influenced by automation. Holly also shares a self-assessment quiz to help you evaluate your current level of AI readiness and reveals exciting new AI-powered resources coming to the Freelance Grant Writer Academy. If you've been wondering whether AI will replace grant writers—or how to position yourself for success in the years ahead—this episode will give you the clarity, confidence, and strategy you need. In…

People in this episode

Host: Holly Rustick

Topics covered

• AI in grant writing
• freelance grant writers
• AI-READY Framework
• automation
• grant writing strategies

Keywords

• AI
• grant writing
• freelance
• automation
• AI policy
• self-assessment
• opportunity

More episodes of Grant Writing & Funding

• Feeling Guilty About Leaving Your Nonprofit Job? · July 21, 2026 · 17 min
• The Identity Shift That Will Scale Your Grant Writing Business · July 14, 2026 · 25 min
• State of the Grant Industry: May 2026 Market Report · July 7, 2026 · 31 min
• What Can Make or Break a Nonprofit's Success Before Grant Funding · June 30, 2026 · 40 min
• The 2026 Tax Change Every Grant Writer Should Know About · June 23, 2026 · 21 min
• The Fear Never Fully Goes Away, Even After Six Figures (What 12 Years in Business Taught Me) · June 19, 2026 · 37 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Grant Writing & Funding podcast page.