Each month, we analyze real grant awards and client wins reported by members of the Freelance Grant Writer Academy and the Grant Professional Mentorship to uncover the trends shaping the grant funding landscape and the freelance grant writing profession.

In this May 2026 State of the Grant Industry report, Holly Rustick breaks down nearly $3.73 million in reported grant funding and client sales to reveal what funders are investing in, how nonprofits are hiring grant professionals, and where the biggest opportunities are emerging.

From the continued strength of foundation funding to the growing demand for long-term funding strategy, recurring revenue, and relationship-driven business development, this episode highlights the shifts every grant professional should be paying attention to.

If you're a nonprofit leader, grant writer, or consultant looking to stay ahead of industry trends, this monthly report provides practical insights backed by real-world results from professionals working in the field today.

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, and service 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.