Holly Rustick: Why Your Non-Profit Needs a Grant Strategist (Not Just a Grant Writer)
About this episode
Holly Rustick discusses the importance of having a grant strategist in non-profits rather than just a grant writer, emphasizing the strategic approach to grant funding.
Grant writing is one of the most misunderstood roles in the non-profit sector, and that misunderstanding may be costing your organization serious money. In this episode of Real Talk for Real Fundraisers , Jeff Schreifels is joined by Holly Rustick, a grant strategist with more than 20 years of experience, author of four books, and the founder of a movement that has helped organizations raise over $266 million in grant funding. Whether you’re a fundraising leader trying to diversify revenue, a major gift officer curious about how grants can support your donor strategy, or someone considering a career in grants, this conversation challenges nearly everything you think you know about “grant writing.” Jeff and Holly unpack why the title “grant writer” is outdated, what non-profits consistently get wrong when they hire for this role, and why there is still significant grant money available in 2026. They also explore how grant strategy connects directly to program design, leadership, and long-term sustainability, not just proposals and deadlines. This episode is a practical, paradigm-shifting conversation designed to help organizations stop leaving money on the table and start…
People in this episode
Host: Jeff Schreifels
Guest: Holly Rustick
Topics covered
- grant writing
- non-profit funding
- grant strategy
- organizational sustainability
- fundraising leadership
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Veritus Group
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