Lydia moved to Germany—and raised $2.5M for Environmental Justice in 2025 for For-Profits

In this bonus episode, Holly Rustick interviews Lydia Vollmann, founder of Grant Our Community, discussing her transition from federal grants to for-profit opportunities, the integration of AI into her work, and the decision to move to Germany.

Lydia shares insights on environmental justice, the importance of mentorship, and her recent move to Germany, highlighting the flexibility and independence her career has afforded her. The conversation emphasizes the value of networking and collaboration within the grant writing community.

Takeaways

• Lydia has over 18 years of experience in federal grant writing.
• She transitioned to for-profit clients, integrating AI into her work.
• Environmental justice remains a key focus in her grant writing.
• AI helps simplify complex grant regulations and processes.
• How the Grant Professional Mentorship has played a crucial role in her professional growth.
• Lydia moved to Germany, allowing her to work independently.
• Networking within the grant writing community is essential.
• She emphasizes the importance of adapting language in grant applications.
• Lydia has won over $2.5 million in grants in the past six months.
• She encourages others to keep an open mind and embrace new ideas.

Find out more about the Grant Professional Mentorship here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/mentorship

Find out more about Lydia here: https://grantwritingandfunding.com/lydia

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