I love my job as a freelance grant writer. I get to help people every day, and it’s rewarding for me and for my clients. I work from home most days, so it’s easy to manage my schedule around my family life.
And since I’m a contract worker, there are lots of opportunities to grow within this field! While there are plenty of things in life that might not be perfect like traffic jams or getting stuck on hold with customer service one thing is clear: being a freelancer can be pretty great!
If you’re thinking about working as a grant writer yourself (or already have), here are 12 reasons why this career is perfect for me…and maybe even you!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Grant writing offers a sense of fulfillment. |
| The impact of successful grant proposals is rewarding. |
| Grant writing connects writers with meaningful causes. |
| Collaboration and networking opportunities are abundant. |
| Grant writing provides a platform to contribute to positive change. |
| The challenge of crafting persuasive proposals is invigorating. |
| Grant writers play a vital role in supporting nonprofits. |
| The learning process in grant writing is continuous and enriching. |
| Successfully funded projects bring a sense of accomplishment. |
| Grant writing fosters creativity in presenting ideas. |
| Each grant proposal is an opportunity to make a difference. |
| Grant writers contribute to driving social progress. |
1. I Can Write In My PJs
As a grant writer, you get to work in your pajamas. I’m serious! I work from home and write grants in my pajamas all day long.
It’s great! I can even answer emails while wearing my PJs and not feel guilty about it (though I have been known to take an hour-long break after lunchtime).
Being able to write from anywhere is one of the best things about this job because it allows me to spend time with my family, who live 1,000 miles away from me on the East Coast.
I love that there are so many different ways for grant writers like myself to find their groove when it comes to working remotely: writing at home or the library; working from coffee shops or libraries; working from beaches or parks…the list goes on!
Building a successful career as a grant writer takes dedication and knowledge. Learn more about how to become a successful grant writer and discover the key steps to excel in this field.
2. I Get To Learn About Different Organizations Every Day
I get to learn about different organizations every day. I had no idea that there was a program for providing nutritional support for kids in foster care until I started getting requests for proposals on this initiative.
Likewise, I didn’t know that [organization name] was doing work with seniors until one of my clients approached me looking for grant writing help.
In addition to learning about new nonprofits, grant writing allows me to learn about different issues affecting communities across the country and around the world.
For example, grant writing requires me to understand how trauma affects people with disabilities differently than it does those without disabilities (and also vice versa).
Understanding these differences can help us develop stronger programs within our organizations as well as better serve our clients if we’re not currently serving this population or need more resources devoted specifically toward them
Enhancing your grant writing skills is crucial for securing funding. Check out these valuable tips to improve your grant writing and increase your chances of crafting compelling proposals.
3. I Get To Work With Different People Every Day
I get to work with different people every day. I love this because it means that when I go home, my brain is always going at 100 miles per hour and I can’t stop thinking about what happened during the day.
I’ve met people from all over the world, so it’s fun to hear about their culture and traditions. Some of them are surprised that someone from another part of the world would want to learn more about their country because they think everyone should just learn English instead!
I also love meeting people who are passionate about things that I’m not. For example, one woman was super into horror movies and we talked for a long time about what makes a good horror film (and some terrible ones).
Another man loves butterflies so much that he has all sorts of butterfly-related paraphernalia around his house including posters on his walls!
4. There’s A Lot Of Variety
One of the best things about grant writing is that there’s a lot of variety. As you can imagine, writing grants requires a wide range of skills and knowledge. The type of organization you work with will determine how much research you need to do on its mission, vision, and goals.
The type of grant will determine the length and format it should take as well as the specific guidelines for submission. You may even be working on different kinds of projects for each client!
The variety doesn’t stop there though; it also extends to the types of people involved in your projects: from clients themselves (who may come from all walks of life) and assorted stakeholders within organizations who have differing roles/responsibilities;
Down through staff members at all levels – from executive directors down through program officers/managers/administrative assistants – as well as potential team members who might join together temporarily during the project implementation phase(s).
Crafting an exceptional grant proposal requires careful planning and execution. Explore these 11 tips for writing an exceptional grant proposal to ensure your proposals stand out and attract funding.
5. There Are Lots Of Opportunities To Grow And Learn
As a grant writer, I get to learn about different organizations and people every day. I write proposals for organizations that do things like help animals and kids, teach people how to read, provide housing for homeless veterans, and more!
Some days I write grants supporting the arts; some days it’s environmental conservation; other days it’s education or health care. The best part of these jobs is that they change every single day and they’re all over the world!
This means you can work from home most days (or wherever your heart desires) because there are plenty of opportunities out there!
6. I Get To Work From Home Most Days
I love that I can work from anywhere. The flexibility to work at home, in coffee shops and libraries, on the beach, or even on the bus is invaluable. There’s no other way to get this kind of freedom unless you own your own business.
7. People Want To Use My Services Because They Need Them, Which Makes Me Feel Good
The best part about grant writing is that people want to use my services because they need them. This makes me feel good because I know that the work I’m doing will be put to good use, and is helping others achieve their goals.
And when you’re writing grants for organizations, it can be very satisfying to see how your project tangibly helps the community.
My first grant-funded project was for a local museum wanting to expand its exhibits on regional history: We were able to secure $10,000 from an arts council for this work (and created a new exhibit that proved popular with visitors).
Avoiding common mistakes in grant seeking can significantly impact your success. Delve into the insights of the 14 biggest mistakes grant seekers make and how to avoid them to refine your grant application strategies.
8. My Job Is Always Changing And Evolving
I love that my job is always changing and evolving. The field of grant writing is constantly growing, with new opportunities coming out all the time. New technologies are being developed, which means that our tools become more efficient and easier to use every year.
And newer programs are often created as a result of people wanting to make a difference in their communities or in other countries around the world like how I work with many nonprofits who want to help refugees settle into life in America.
Things like this make me feel like my career aligns with my values: I’m making an impact on people’s lives every day!
9. There’s A Lot Of Opportunity For Creativity
Grant writing is a fun and rewarding career. The wide variety of project types you get to work on, the freedom to be creative in your writing style, and the opportunity to learn new things are just some of the reasons why I love it!
Plus, there’s also the chance to work with different people on all sorts of projects – including ones that require no travel or commuting time at all!
10. There Is No Limit To How Much You Can Earn
The great thing about grant writing is that it’s really up to you how much you earn. It’s completely up to you as to how many grants you write and which ones.
You can choose to do one a week, or once a month and if that’s all the time and energy you want to put into it, then that’s fine!
But on the flip side, the idea of having enough money not only for yourself but also for those around you (like family members) appeals more than anything else in this world and it should!
Then go ahead and knock out several proposals per day until your fingers hurt and your eyes ache from reading so many letters of intent.
The bottom line: There is no limit at all as far as how much money is available for grant writers who are willing and able enough.
11. I’m A Freelance Contractor
As a freelancer, you get to choose your hours and projects. You can pick and choose your clients, as well as the rate you charge them. You also get to select your location and business name. And if you want to work on a project without being in someone else’s office every day?
No problem! Just grab your laptop and go wherever is most comfortable for you at that moment (or even create an atmosphere where working from home or traveling isn’t seen as an inconvenience).
Discover the numerous reasons why individuals find fulfillment in grant writing. Explore the top insights about grant writing in 12 reasons why I’m glad to be a grant writer and gain a deeper understanding of the joys this profession brings.
12. It’s The Perfect Job For Me!
Grant writing is the perfect job for me because it allows me to do what I love from anywhere in the world. The best part about grant writing is that you can work from anywhere!
You can be on an isolated mountain or walking around a city center, or just hanging out at home in your pajamas. Grant writing has been an amazing adventure for me so far.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed reading about my experiences in grant writing. It’s such a fun and rewarding job, and I love all the things it lets me do from working from home to learning about other organizations every day!
I think anyone who has some experience in science, education, or grant writing would be able to find success with this career path.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further enhance your understanding of grant writing:
Not Just Money: Reasons Behind Grant Writing: Explore the motivations and deeper reasons that drive individuals to engage in grant writing beyond financial gain.
12 Quick Tips for Better Grant Writing: Discover a concise list of practical tips to improve your grant writing skills and create more effective grant proposals.
What Do Grant Writers Do? 12 Steps to Help You Explain: Gain insights into the comprehensive role of grant writers and learn how to explain their responsibilities effectively.
FAQs
What are the key attributes of a successful grant writer?
A successful grant writer possesses strong research skills, the ability to craft compelling narratives, attention to detail, and an understanding of the target audience for the proposal.
How can I enhance the impact of my grant proposals?
To enhance the impact of your grant proposals, focus on clear communication, aligning your proposal with the funder’s priorities, providing measurable outcomes, and demonstrating a solid plan for implementation.
What role does storytelling play in grant writing?
Storytelling is crucial in grant writing as it humanizes the proposal, creates an emotional connection, and helps funders understand the real-world impact of the project or initiative being proposed.
How can I find relevant grants for my project?
To find relevant grants, research online grant databases, explore philanthropic organizations, network within your industry, and consider collaborating with a mentor or consultant experienced in grant seeking.
What is the typical timeline for grant application and approval?
The timeline for grant application and approval can vary widely. It’s essential to thoroughly review the funder’s guidelines for application deadlines and grant award timelines, as they can range from a few weeks to several months.
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.