Grant writing is a challenging and rewarding career. You get to help your community and make a difference in people’s lives. However, it’s not an easy job to find or land the best grant writer for your nonprofit organization.
There are some common mistakes that nonprofits make when looking for a grant writer and these mistakes can cost you time and money!
In this blog post, I’ll share with you what I’ve learned over my years as an award-winning professional grant writer: 11 tips that will help you hire the best candidate possible while also giving them what they need from the job!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand Your Needs |
| 2. Seek Relevant Experience |
| 3. Check Track Record |
| 4. Review Sample Proposals |
| 5. Assess Communication Skills |
| 6. Look for Sector Knowledge |
| 7. Consider Local vs. Remote |
| 8. Discuss Availability |
| 9. Evaluate Cost and Value |
| 10. Obtain References |
| 11. Trust Your Instincts |
1. Choose A Writer With Experience In Your Field
When you are looking for the best grant writer, it is important to choose a person who has experience in your field. The grant writer should be familiar with the types of grants that you typically write, and have experience writing grants in your specific area.
This way they can understand the challenges that may arise during the application process as well as anticipate any questions or concerns from reviewers.
A good grant writer will also be familiar with some of the challenges faced by organizations like yours when seeking funding from a particular foundation or government agency.
For example, if you are applying for an arts grant from an organization based in California, then your writer should be aware of any unique requirements such as having a California-based partner organization or having an artistic director living within 200 miles of Los Angeles County (which happens to be one requirement for this particular foundation).
Building a successful nonprofit proposal requires careful consideration. Learn some valuable insights from our article on tips for getting more grant money to enhance your grant writing skills.
2. Investigate The Writer’s Background
When you’re looking for a grant writer, it is important to investigate their background and make sure they are a good fit for your project. In addition to checking references, here are some other things you should investigate:
Visit their website and social media presence. If they do not have websites or Twitter accounts, then this may be an indication that they don’t take themselves seriously as professionals.
You want someone who has an online presence because of the impact they can have on your projects, so this is very important.
Look at their blog posts or other writing samples such as white papers and ebooks.
You want writers who are knowledgeable in their field of expertise (i.e., nonprofit grant writing) and who write well enough so that the reader understands what they mean without having to re-read sentences over again several times just trying figure out what on earth was said!
3. Interview Several Writers Before Making A Final Selection
Before you hire a grant writer, make sure to ask for references. You want someone who’s been in the field for a while and can prove it with clients who are willing to share their experiences.
It’s also helpful if they have samples of previous work (for instance, a fully-written proposal) on file so you can see what kind of quality they produce.
You should also ask about other clients your potential employee has worked with. This will help you get an idea of what other people think of this writer’s services and whether they feel like they were well-served by them.
If multiple people give positive reviews, that means there’s a good chance you’ll be satisfied yourself!
Finally, make sure your potential new hire makes clear exactly what services he or she offers.
And also any services he or she does not offer! It’s important not only because some grants require specific expertise but also because saying “yes” when asked could lead down an expensive path full of unforeseen expenses later on down the line…
Collaborating effectively with your proposal team is crucial in grant writing. Our guide on getting your grant writing and proposal team on the same page can help you streamline your efforts for better results.
4. Ask For Examples Of Previously Written Successful Grants
One way to determine whether a grant writer is right for you is to ask for examples of previously written successful grants. This will give you an idea of their process and style, as well as what they consider a good grant.
Ask for samples of previous successful grants that are similar to your own. If the grant writer has worked with nonprofits involved in similar causes or projects, then it’s likely he or she will know how to approach yours effectively.
You can also ask for unsuccessful applications and/or rejected proposals so that you can review them and see what might have gone wrong (if anything).
5. Avoid Selecting A Business Based Solely On Price
- Don’t select a business based solely on price.
- A good grant writer has experience in your field. If you are looking for a grant for an art project, look for a writer who has previously worked with artists. If you want to start a farm, find someone with farming experience.
- Good communication skills are important because they show the client that the writer will be able to explain and sell their idea effectively to others (like donors).
- This is especially important if you have complex ideas or research that requires technical language (e.g., scientists).
- Flexibility is also key since every project is different, so it may require various types of writing styles depending on what type of project it is.
- Especially if there is specific wording requirements involved in order to qualify as eligible under certain grants like those offered by government agencies like NASA or NOAA..
Are you aspiring to become a successful grant writer? Discover the key strategies and advice in our comprehensive article about how to become a successful grant writer to kickstart your journey.
6. Select Someone Who Is Passionate About Your Project
You want to be sure that the grant writer you hire has a vested interest in seeing your grant proposal succeed.
Someone who is not passionate about your project is unlikely to put in the time and effort needed to write an excellent proposal that will truly help you achieve success with your project.
A grant writer who is passionate about what they do will be more willing to go out of their way for you and make sure that every little detail of your grant proposal is as good as it can possibly be.
7. Work With Someone Who Has Good Communication Skills
Communication is key for any grant writer, especially when working with an organization. The grant writer needs to be able to clearly communicate the needs of their client, and have a good understanding of what funding sources are available for your specific project.
But communication is also important for the organization as well. You want to work with someone who has good communication skills because it will help you stay on track with your project and keep costs down.
If you find yourself struggling with this aspect of the project, it may be time to consider hiring an experienced grant writer who can handle all aspects of writing grants so you don’t have to worry about anything but submitting applications!
8. Be Wary Of Someone Who Promises You Success At Winning Grants
There’s a reason why many people opt for finding a grant writer, rather than doing it themselves: the process of finding and applying for grants is not easy.
It takes time, dedication and strategy to find the best grants that are right for your organization. In addition, you’ll need to write an effective proposal—and who knows if that will even be accepted?
With so many unknowns involved in the process of winning grants, it can be easy to fall victim to promises from someone who says he or she has an easy solution.
Don’t believe them! There’s no magic bullet when it comes to winning grants. This is because every organization has its own unique goals and challenges and therefore needs its own specific approach toward achieving those goals.
Crafting a compelling grant proposal involves attention to detail. Explore our insights on the 10 things to consider when writing a grant proposal to ensure your proposal stands out to potential funders.
9. Choose Someone Flexible And Willing To Learn Something New
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a grant writer for your organization. One of the most important is that you’re choosing someone who is flexible and willing to learn something new.
This doesn’t just apply to the grant writing process itself, but also to how your organization works.
Organizations change all the time, and so do their needs for grants. If they’re not able to adapt with the times, it will be difficult for them to find funding sources that fit their needs in any given situation (whether it’s an emergency or an opportunity).
A good grant writer should not only be able to take direction from her clients, but she should also be able to suggest some changes herself if necessary.
10. Make Sure The Writer Understands The Importance Of Timeliness
There are many reasons why a grant application needs to be submitted on time, but one of the most important is that you don’t want to lose out on your chance at funding because of delays in submission.
Whether it’s due to illness or some other unfortunate event, if your organization is not able to meet its deadline then there will likely be no funding available for you at all.
Organizations that are able to submit their applications early will have an easier time receiving funding than those who submit late due to issues like these.
How long is the grant application process? When should I expect my organization’s application documents (also known as “proposals”) back from our grant writers? How long does it take for us get a response after submitting our proposal?
Does each state have different policies when it comes down into how long they give each group before making decisions on their proposals?
These questions should all be answered by professional grant writers before signing any contracts with them so that both parties know what expectations exist within this process and can plan accordingly throughout its duration.
11. Consider Keeping The Grant Writing In-House Using People From The Community
If you have the resources and are able to hire a grant writer, consider keeping it in-house using people from your community.
It may be more expensive than hiring someone who is not local, but this way you will be able to speak with them personally on the phone or in person when issues arise.
If you are hiring someone who is not local, make sure they have a good reputation and can provide references from previous clients.
Securing grant money is an essential step for many projects. Dive into our guide on how to write a proposal for grant money to learn the necessary elements for creating an effective grant proposal that attracts funding opportunities.
Conclusion
Finding the best grant writer for your organization is a crucial step to support your organization. It’s important to find someone who can work with you and understands the importance of timeliness when it comes to grant writing.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to find someone who can help make your dream come true!
Further Reading
Wild Apricot’s Grant Writing Courses: Explore a variety of comprehensive grant writing courses to enhance your grant writing skills and boost your success rate in securing funding.
Grant Writing Basics by Instrumentl: Discover the fundamental principles of grant writing and gain insights into the essentials of creating successful grant proposals.
12 Quick Tips for Better Grant Writing from Firespring: Learn 12 actionable tips to improve your grant writing techniques and increase your chances of receiving grants for your nonprofit organization.
FAQs
What are some key elements of an effective grant proposal?
An effective grant proposal typically includes a well-defined problem statement, clear project goals, a detailed budget, and a compelling narrative that aligns with the funder’s priorities.
How can I enhance my grant writing skills?
Improving your grant writing skills involves continuous learning, practicing your writing, seeking feedback, and staying updated on the latest trends and guidelines in grant writing.
What should I consider when selecting a grant writing course?
When choosing a grant writing course, consider factors such as the course content, instructor expertise, format (online or in-person), user reviews, and whether it covers the specific type of grants you’re interested in.
Are there common mistakes to avoid in grant writing?
Yes, some common mistakes to avoid in grant writing include submitting incomplete proposals, failing to address the funder’s guidelines, lacking a clear and concise writing style, and neglecting to tailor the proposal to the specific funder’s mission.
How do I increase the competitiveness of my grant proposal?
To make your grant proposal more competitive, thoroughly research the funder’s priorities, demonstrate the impact of your project, provide evidence of community support, and ensure your proposal is well-organized and error-free.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.