What is a Grant Writer?

Ever wondered what a grant writer really is? Yes, they basically write, but what do they write about? They write grant proposals to get funding from certain foundations. It’s actually a pretty simple process. They research funders, write accordingly to a chosen funder’s guidelines, lay out the program intelligibly, and present it to funders (A last step may be to hope and pray for the grant to be approved.).

        The purpose of grant writing is to fund companies or corporations for their research in which the public is usually the beneficiary. Some non-profit organizations are funded well because of their well-meaning mission and vision.

Basic Responsibilities:

1.   Researches funding organizations’ mission and area of interests, as well as the guidelines

2.   Researches funders’ sole basis for funding corporations: what programs they fund, what population or geographic areas, and if they only fund certain entities (churches, government agencies, non-profits, schools, etc.)

3.   Communicates and meets with key contacts to establish relationships to increase the likelihood to get a grant

4.   Lucidly lays out the program so that the funders can clearly understand what to look forward to

5.   Concisely writes the purpose of the proposal and other important factors (goals, objectives, sustainability, cost, etc.), while following the guidelines of the foundation that the proposal is for

·         Basic Qualities:

1.   Must have excellent comprehension

2.   Must understand financial and budget matters well

3.   Must be capable of meeting deadlines

4.   Must have superior writing and grammar skills

5.   Must know how to research extensively

6.   Must have knowledge in the particular field that the company is in

·         Basic Grant Proposal Model:

1.   Executive Summary – this includes the program’s summary, what it will accomplish, and its cost

2.   Statement of Need – this includes the reasons why the program is needed and why the organization is the perfect candidate to fulfill needs (also includes statistical information to support reasons)

3.   Program Description – this includes the program’s design, implementation, goals, objectives, methods to implement them, program staff, improvement plans, success rate, and reporting process

4.   Organizational Information – this includes the mission, history, summary of former programs, and accomplishments

5.   Program Budget – this includes the outline of all the program’s costs and expenses

6.   Attachments – this includes the necessary documents, financial statements, and letters of support

·         Salary:

        The usual grant writer salary ranges from $50 to $150 per hour. Some have a flat rate set, and some are commission-based which usually ranges from 1% to 5% of the grant.

Read More

Grant Writing Basics and Tips

        People who wonder how certain entities (non-profits, churches, schools, corporations, etc.) are financially stable are probably not aware of grant writing. So, what is a grant writer? He/she is a professional who handles proposals to submit to funders to gain their support for his/her company. Commonly, these companies are established for research that will benefit the public or community.

        Grant writing may seem complicated at first, but it’s fairly easy once a writer learns how to approach it properly. Here are some of the basic tips in grant writing:

        Tip 1: Research Funders

        Research is the starting point in properly writinga grant proposal. Firstly, the specific guidelines of a particular organization must be learned and followed accurately. Failing to comply with the guidelines is the most common reason why most proposals get rejected. Secondly, the organization’s mission and area of interests must be learned to write for that particular funder. Lastly, the organization’s sole basis for funding must be researched: what program areas are they looking to fund, what entities, and what certain geographic areas or population.

        Tip 2: Write Concisely

        Funders prefer concisely written proposals over embellished prose. In other words, write every part of the proposal in a straight-to-the-point manner, and lay them out lucidly.

        Tip 3: Be Consistent

        A typical mistake that first-time grant proposal writers make is giving up on the first rejection. They should know that first applications are rarely accepted, and they shouldn’t get disheartened by rejection. To put it differently, it should be treated like a job application where applying to as many companies as possible is the correct move.

        Tip 4: Establish Relationships

        Establishing a lot of good relationships with funders is essential to increase the likelihood of getting a grant approved. This can be done by communicating with key contacts of various foundations, as well as compiling a list of foundation trustees during the research phase.

        Tip 5: Ask for Advice when Rejected

        Other than continuing on after receiving a rejection, it’s highly recommended to ask the funder why the proposal was denied to improve on any future applications. Moreover, it’s good to ask them if they know any other reliable foundations that accept similar proposals. They usually aren’t stingy about this matter.

        It should be known that a grant is similar to fundraising, and that an investment in it is similar to an investment in the stock market. So, it’s not really as complicated as most people make it out to be. Just follow the funders’ guidelines and keep these tips in mind to successfully get a grant.

Read More

What Professional Grant Writers Aren’t Telling You: Four Common Myths

Have you ever wondered how non-profit companies are able to fund themselves? If so, it’s because they know how to do non-profit grant writing. Grant writing is simply the task of trying to get your company funded by a foundation or organization for the purposes of research which is ultimately for the public’s benefit (educational, medicinal, etc.). A lot of myths and misconceptions arose from this where most companies just starting out immediately give up after one problem – and some “seasoned” writers, unfortunately, abuse companies that are new to the system. That will not happen to you if you clearly understand the concept, which is what you’ll learn in this article.

·         Myth 1: It’s too complicated to write one

On the contrary, it’s actually quite simple. What you need to know is that each foundation has unique guidelines in processing grants. People who say that it’s too difficult just probably didn’t understand or follow the funder’s guidelines correctly. Moreover, it’s just like telling a story where you present reliable statistics then illustrate inspirational content to make a convincing presentation.

·         Myth 2: Grants are instant money

Although it’s an effective way to get funding, it won’t really get you money instantly. Usually, foundations only meet once a year to discuss funding decisions, so expect some delay.

Moreover, if your company’s first grant was rejected, don’t lose hope. This is a typical mistake that most new companies make. Just keep on looking for other potential funders out there.

·         Myth 3: There’s no point, because knowing how to find funders is difficult, and databases are expensive

Most people forget the fact that public libraries have free databases of funders for grantwriters. Ask around in your local library to see if there are any funders near you.

Furthermore, if there are no other options, simply take note of foundation trustees during your research phase, and then forward them to your company’s board to see if anyone knows any of the trustees you’ve compiled. If there are none, just continue researching.

·         Myth 4: No one can write in the staff, and a professional one is too expensive, so there is no chance of getting a grant

If no one knows howto write a grant in your company’s staff, simply look for someone who is willing and capable of learning it, and then hire a professional to teach him/her. Never opt for hiring one who promises that he/she will make an instant solution to your company’s funding problems; most who claim to be capable of that are just scammers.

In the simplest sense, this process is just like fundraising, and is fairly simple. Just remember to accordingly follow funders’ guidelines and to continue looking for the right one.

Read More

Helpful grant writer training

There are free grant writing assistance classes online available for students who want to learn about the grant process. These classes, training manuals and guidelines teach an individual how to write a proposal for organizations and institutions. The classes will enable the students to take part in assignments and the manuals offer valuable tips and examples on how to get started.

Grant Writing Tutorial

This writing tutorial is from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The tutorial aims to help non-profit organizations learn the basics of writing a proposal to increase their chances of success. The tutorial is done online and also provides examples that can be compared to the students’ own work.

Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal

This online guide provides a very detailed breakdown of the grant process enabling students to see examples on each part of the proposal. This tutorial also pinpoints common writing mistakes and teaches students how to avoid them. This guide is done by the Michigan State University.

An Introduction to Grant Writing

This online grant writing tutorial is conducted by the University of Pittsburgh. It covers 16 steps in the grant process. The guide also offers tips on how to complete each part of the proposal.

Proposal Writing Short Courses

This short course gives a general overview of the writing process and guides the students step-by-step to create a grant. This short course is made for non-profit organizations that rely on outside financial support. At the end of the class, the students will be able to produce a proposal on their own.

Quick Guide for Grant Applicants

People can use this as a quick guide to get a general overview of the process from the National Institute of health. The guide is made for people who are interested in applying for a grant through NIH. The guide has tips and recommendations on the entire process.

Advance Writing Seminar

The advance writing seminar can be used as a grant resource because it gives people an opportunity to learn various writing styles. There are five lectures where one is solely devoted to grants. There are also downloadable videos available.

The Art of Writing Proposals

The Art of Writing Proposals is from the Social Science Research Council. It is made for those who are interested in applying for a grant related to Social Science. It is an online guide that gives an overview of the process and offers valuable tips to make the proposal as attractive as possible. 

Read More

Government grant application for non-profit organization

A grant from government is a financial award given by the state or local government to fund a certain project or organization. The government does not expect payment for these grants. For small organizations, finding enough financial assistance is important to make sure that the institution runs smoothly. There are several ways to get grant for non-profit organization. Remember that these grants are funded by taxes so they are only available for non-commercial purposes.

Know the size and category of the business

The amount given to a grant depends on the type of organization. Assess the categorization and size of the business carefully before submitting any application.

Submitting application in behalf of the business

The government categorizes grants differently. Remember to apply for grants specifically for organizations and not for individuals. Submitting grant proposals with a wrong category will only slow down the process and can even cause rejection.

Here are common questions that will be asked when applying for a grant.

·         

     Reason for application

·         Amount needed for operation

·         Nature of the business

·         How the grant money will be used

·         How the organization benefits the community

·         Who will supervise the operations

Take time to think about the details of the grant and try to be honest when answering these questions. Make sure to have all the necessary information and be ready with supporting documents.

Register the organization

The business or organization must be registered to the federal government program before any application is submitted. The application process is done online and can be finalized after 5 business days. Remember to go through all the steps carefully because submitting incomplete information will only delay the process.

Grant application package

There is an online tutorial that can be downloaded once the business is registered. This tutorial will contain all the necessary information on how the process works. Complete all the necessary steps and save a copy of the file to avoid losing any valuable information. Once completed, the package can be submitted online. There will be a name, password and identification number provided once the process is completed.

Track the status of the grant application online

Use the name, password and identification number to track the progress of the grant application. This will allow the owner to see if his grant has been approved and will be used to notify him in case there will be additional requirements. The registered owner will also be notified about the succeeding steps he will need to take once the grant has been approved or denied.

Read More

How to become a freelance grant writer

Most beginner writers won’t be able to collect a high fee for writing their first grant proposal. Clients will require one or two samples before considering a freelance writer for the job. A term paper, thesis or published article can be used as reference but the client will also have to be assured that the writer understands the grant process and successfully adheres to it with minimal supervision.

Develop a portfolio

A writer can develop a portfolio by using a local non-profit organization in the application. This will enable the writer to demonstrate his skill without selling it to the organization. The writer should choose a well known organization as a subject. Also, it is important that the writer researches the funder carefully and makes sure that it can support the organization. The downside of this is that resources are often limited because the writer is not really connected to the organization and they won’t be able to provide detailed information.

A writer can also volunteer his services to help a small organization create a grant proposal. This will enable the writer to have access to the grant proposal format and would be able to interview people who are directly involved in the organization. Also, the writer would be able to help the organization if the grant is accepted.

Creating a resume

After a freelance writer gets recognition for their volunteer work, they can now start to create a resume. List the most recent work experience first and the educational background last. The writer should also list down term papers and written articles in addition to the grants they have written.

Some clients may want to see grant writing samples so a writer should be prepared to send in his best one. He should also consider a sample that is closest to what the client wants.  The writer can also highlight experiences and challenges that he has encountered in his previous work and how he overcame these. Be careful not to sound too negative about any organization though.

Recommendations

Recommendations are very important in getting a grant job. Most clients would want to talk to someone the writer has worked with before to assess his credibility.

Setting the fee

Remember that grant writers are discouraged from receiving commissions and percentage compensation. Most writers agree that charging the client a flat rate is the most justifiable way to set the fee.

Read More

Hiring a certified grant writer

Grant writers can help devise a plan in establishing an effective proposal. Many people make the mistake of relying on a non-professional to write their proposals just to save money but hiring certified personnel has many advantages.

Credentials

A grant consultant should be able to provide documentation as to their education, experience and level of success in the field.

Provides an outside perspective

Grant consultants are able to provide fresh ideas for the organization and are able to pinpoint any problems that may be preventing them from securing a grant.

Resources

Professional writers work with different agencies and organizations so they have a lot of resources. They also often subscribe to databases to ensure that they have as much information as possible. Grant agencies also have several staff that can help them conduct extensive research when needed.

Knowledge and experience

Professional grant writers have enough knowledge as to the type of proposals which are actually accepted. These writers know the critical elements that will help the organization or individual get the funding they need. Look for a writer that has relevant work experience to the type of organization being applied for.

Efficiency

Grant consultants have already developed a proven system that enables them to be successful time and time again. This makes the process a lot less complicated.

Cost effective

Hiring a professional grant consultant is cheaper in the long run. Some organizations cannot afford to hire an entire staff so relying on a grant consultant is a good alternative choice. However, do not underestimate the cost to hire a skilled grant consultant because their salary is higher than that of a normal employee.

Where to look for grant consultants

Experienced writers for grant proposals can be found in different associations. Look for grant organizations and groups in the newspaper and local directory. Also, some writers are listed with specific industry affiliations. Lastly, search engines can be good tools for finding the appropriate writing consultant. Just remember to ask for their qualifications and educational background before hiring them.

How to choose a writer

Although each writer has his own method and process for providing his services, it is important that he charges consistent fees rather than having a variation of prices. A consultant should be working on a flat rate and not on a percentage or commission. The ethics guideline of their profession states that they are forbidden from accepting commission as compensation.

Read More

How to Write a Grant? – Writing a Successful Proposal

How toWrite a Grant? – Writing a Successful Proposal

One of the hardest things to do is to write a proposal. You need more time to create one, but with the aid of a good writing approach and technique, you can create a proposal without any difficulty. If you don’t have time or don’t have any idea on how to write proposals, then it is best to consider hiring professionalgrant writers. These individuals are the ones who are responsible for the successful funding application at present. They carry out a thorough and careful research and add some twists to include relevant information which could be helpful in the proposal. It does not matter if you are applying for group, individual, or a non-profit organization’s request. This service will provide you the right format in writing a formal proposal document.

The Things You Need to Keep in Mind

If you are planning to write a proposal, you need to create something that is realistic and creative. Keep in mind that you need to convince the funder to approve your proposal to fund your project. Remember that not all of the proposals forwarded by the grant seeker are approved. Thus, it should provide a very strong foundation of information and prove that it is worth funding. If in case you won’t get the funds that you requested, the grant writing service is not responsible for it. What the grant writer writes will depend on the details and information that you have provided as the client. If you don’t communicate with your writer regularly, it might adversely affect the outcome of the proposal.

What Funders are looking for in a Proposal

Funders want a proposal that is very specific and time bound. Listing your priorities is a good idea but make sure that your priorities are agreeable. Your grant proposal should have supporting documents attached to justify the need for funds. The Grant writing service ensures that the important information is added in your proposal.

Always keep in mind that funders fund organizations because they want to know how your organization will operate and if you will remain productive once the funding assistance ends. Make sure that you will show your funders that their financial assistance will provide a solution to the organization’s problem and you are not just after the money. Your proposal should include strategies on how your organization will be able to cope. Grant writers will help the grant seekers find ways on how to become independent in the future.

Read More

Grant Writing Tips: Creating an Effective Grant Proposal

Grant Writing Tips: Creating an Effective Grant Proposal

Presenting the goals is one of the most essential aspects in writing a grant proposal. Goals will help the funders determine what your present situation is and where you want to stand after you receive the funds. There are some guidelines that can help you in determining your goals. These guidelines will help you to create productive and realistic goals.

Projects Should Align with the Group’s Mission and Vision

This might sound easy, but in reality, there are lots of grant writers that tend to fail in this. There are some grant proposal writers that try to convince the funder by bending the words. It is best to find a funder that will help you with your projects because they will fully support activities that reflect their organizational mission and vision.

Create Long and Short Term Goals

In determining the organization’s goals you should look at them in terms of now and the future. Always focus on the help that the funding can provide you not only for today but in the future as well. Funders would want to see how their funds can help you today and in the coming years. If your organization is about adult literacy, you may include short term goals such as an increase in program membership.

Your Goals Should be related to your Needs

Your goals and your needs should be related. If you need funds to purchase new books for the program then your goals should reflect the effect of those books.

Who Will Benefit from this?

This is a recurring topic in grants. Funders want to know who will benefit from the funds. It is best if you can include in your grant proposals the number of individuals who will benefit from it and those that will be affected indirectly as well. If only a few people will benefit from what you have in mind, you might not be able to get the funds that you need.

Present your Goals in a Positive Way

Actually, the most essential factor is to present your goals in a positive manner. If you were not able to present it in a positive way then the funder will not look at it as worth their money. Keep in mind that presenting your goals is the best way to convince the funder that your organization is worth the grant. Just make sure that you will present honestly and accurately.

Read More