Holly Rustick: Why Your Non-Profit Needs a Grant Strategist (Not Just a Grant Writer)

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 Jeff and Holly unpack why the title “grant writer” is outdated, what non-profits consistently get wrong when they hire for this role, and why there is still significant grant money available in 2026.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 approaching grants as a strategic, team-wide opportunity rather than a siloed task. Show Highlights: In this episode, you’ll learn about… Why the term “grant writer” is outdated, what non-profits should be hiring for instead, and how that shift changes funding outcomes The real pros and cons of hiring an in-house grant professional versus working with a freelance grant strategist (and what most organizations overlook) Why “grant success rate” is the wrong question to ask, and what actually predicts long-term grant funding success How grant strategy supports stronger programs, aligns with major gifts work, and why there is still significant grant money available in 2026 Want to connect with Holly or get access to resources she mentioned during this talk? Visit her website! https://grantwritingandfunding.com/ Veritus Group is passionate about partnering with you and your organization throughout your fundraising journey. We believe that the key to transformative fundraising is a disciplined system and structure, trusted accountability, persistence, and a bit of fun. We specialize in mid-level fundraising, major gifts, and planned giving, helping our clients to develop compelling donor offers and to focus on strategic leadership and organizational development. You can learn more about how we can partner with you at www.VeritusGroup.com.   Additional Resources:   [Podcast] Diana Frazier: 6 Things Every Fundraiser Should Focus on in 2026 [White Paper]  Removing Obstacles to Major Gift Fundraising [Blog] The Right Way to Refresh Your Caseload