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How to become a Grant Writer?
Lend your expertise: what does it take to become a Grant Writer?
Note: We've seen a lot of interest in this career, so we're looking for guidance from our community of professionals.
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7 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
745
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
I would take a certificate course in Technical Writing.
I completed one, and it helped immensely in developing the format skills and writing abilities to write grants.
I completed one, and it helped immensely in developing the format skills and writing abilities to write grants.
Maryam Azimi
Telecommunication Engineer
3
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Maryam’s Answer
Hello there, Valued Student,
It's truly inspiring to see you taking the reins of your life and actively planning for your future. I aim to provide clarity and honesty in response to your inquiries. Given the current industry trends, it's important to note that this particular job role may eventually be delegated to computers. The advent of automation is expected to transform many job roles, and our role here is to guide you towards the most promising path.
While I understand your interest in this line of work, it might pose some challenges in securing employment. Therefore, I suggest conducting thorough research into future-proof jobs that are projected to remain relevant for at least the next 30 years from the commencement of your career.
I wholeheartedly wish you the very best in your endeavors.
It's truly inspiring to see you taking the reins of your life and actively planning for your future. I aim to provide clarity and honesty in response to your inquiries. Given the current industry trends, it's important to note that this particular job role may eventually be delegated to computers. The advent of automation is expected to transform many job roles, and our role here is to guide you towards the most promising path.
While I understand your interest in this line of work, it might pose some challenges in securing employment. Therefore, I suggest conducting thorough research into future-proof jobs that are projected to remain relevant for at least the next 30 years from the commencement of your career.
I wholeheartedly wish you the very best in your endeavors.
Karen Kitchel
Community Volunteer
344
Answers
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Grant writing can be challenging and very rewarding when you put a lot of effort into it and understand that rejections are more plentiful than receiving funds from grants. In managing a nonprofit and as their only staff member, grant writing was one of many of my responsibilities. I learned to develop templates that could be included in various applications but also to customize each one based on requirements and history.
On the plus side is the wonderful excitement that happens whenever you receive a grant. If that can keep you going, keep on writing grants. For now, see if you can volunteer for a nonprofit and ask if you might draft an application to gain feedback on your work. Enjoy the challenge!
With every good wish!.
On the plus side is the wonderful excitement that happens whenever you receive a grant. If that can keep you going, keep on writing grants. For now, see if you can volunteer for a nonprofit and ask if you might draft an application to gain feedback on your work. Enjoy the challenge!
With every good wish!.
Hi Karen! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. How would someone get into grant writing? Are there specific roles that require grant writing?
Gurpreet Lally, Admin
You can probably find a lot of info online about grant writing classes. Most larger nonprofits have Grant Writer positions. Also research jobs listed as Grant Writers to see what type of experience they are looking for and what skills are needed. Try talking to folks who work for nonprofits as grant writers. People who work for nonprofits are often willing to share information. Find a couple of nonprofits that are appealing to you, call and ask if you can talk to or email a grant writer -- invite them to coffee or to simply have a chat and see what they suggest. All the best!
Karen Kitchel
Philip Vitkus
3
Answers
Updated
Philip’s Answer
So, it seems that the question can be rephrased as, "How do I get started as a grant writer?"
Like so many professions, to get a grant writing position you most commonly need experience writing grants. And how do you get experience writing grants? As a grant writer! ARGH.
What I recommend is taking a "back-door" approach to getting work as a grant writer.
My experience and observations are, to get a position as a grant writer, start by getting a job in a company or non profit that relies partially or fully upon contracts obtained through submitting proposals or grant applications.
Do the work you are hired to do most diligently. Look for small writing projects within the company - this could be developing job aids, or newsletter articles. Gain a reputation as a writer. Talk to the people who develop proposals and grants, and volunteer beyond your normal work responsibilities and hours to "help out."
Keep looking for more proposal or grant application writing responsibilities. USUALLY there are more responsibilities than the ones assigned to write have time for. Eventually (though not with absolute certainty), you will get the opportunity to lead a proposal or grant writing project.
If you can, further develop your job into full-time grant writing. Or, if needed, take your talents and experience elsewhere.
Phil
P.s., No matter what type of corporate or non-profit writing you do, take the moderately expensive commercially available seminar on Information Mapping. This (originally USAF) research- based approach to creating documentation that cannot be misunderstood will transform and elevate your professional writing career.
Like so many professions, to get a grant writing position you most commonly need experience writing grants. And how do you get experience writing grants? As a grant writer! ARGH.
What I recommend is taking a "back-door" approach to getting work as a grant writer.
My experience and observations are, to get a position as a grant writer, start by getting a job in a company or non profit that relies partially or fully upon contracts obtained through submitting proposals or grant applications.
Do the work you are hired to do most diligently. Look for small writing projects within the company - this could be developing job aids, or newsletter articles. Gain a reputation as a writer. Talk to the people who develop proposals and grants, and volunteer beyond your normal work responsibilities and hours to "help out."
Keep looking for more proposal or grant application writing responsibilities. USUALLY there are more responsibilities than the ones assigned to write have time for. Eventually (though not with absolute certainty), you will get the opportunity to lead a proposal or grant writing project.
If you can, further develop your job into full-time grant writing. Or, if needed, take your talents and experience elsewhere.
Phil
P.s., No matter what type of corporate or non-profit writing you do, take the moderately expensive commercially available seminar on Information Mapping. This (originally USAF) research- based approach to creating documentation that cannot be misunderstood will transform and elevate your professional writing career.
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
334
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
Based on my experience at a corporate foundation and as a non-profit board member, I think a grant writer has to be a diligent researcher, great critical reader, excellent writer, and supreme organizer. Having a bit of a marketing flair would be handy also. Elaborating:
- Often the writers have to find the grant opportunities first since most organizations aren't big enough to separate those roles. This requires patience and research skills.
- The writer has to understand what information to include - and not include - in the grant. By not including key information, you could doom the proposal, even if the rest of it is good. Including a lot of extraneous information could make the proposal reader wonder if you understand the purpose of the grant or cared enough to read carefully. This could also doom the proposal. Therefore, critical reading is important.
- It should be obvious why excellent writing is important. The marketing flair goes along with this. If you can make the proposal easy (dare I say "fun"?) to read, you increase the chances of funding. Also, there is an art to finding the line between appealing to the reader's emotions and being exploitative, and excellent writers know how to stay on the right side of it.
- The importance of organizational skills might be obvious, too. This includes gathering the needed information, keeping track of deadlines, responding promptly to grant-maker inquiries, following up if you have not heard results, and filing reports on grants you won as needed
If you want to try out the profession before committing, I bet that non-profits in your area would welcome the volunteer help. In addition to gaining experience, you would be building up your portfolio.
We think of grant writers as being in non-profits, but proposal writers in the for-profit world need the same skills. If you are a mission-driven person, the fulfillment might be less. But if you are trying to pay down student debt, the salary and benefits likely would be more.
Good luck!
Indeed.com - https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-grant-writer
Learn Grant Writing - https://www.learngrantwriting.org/grant-writing-basics/
- Often the writers have to find the grant opportunities first since most organizations aren't big enough to separate those roles. This requires patience and research skills.
- The writer has to understand what information to include - and not include - in the grant. By not including key information, you could doom the proposal, even if the rest of it is good. Including a lot of extraneous information could make the proposal reader wonder if you understand the purpose of the grant or cared enough to read carefully. This could also doom the proposal. Therefore, critical reading is important.
- It should be obvious why excellent writing is important. The marketing flair goes along with this. If you can make the proposal easy (dare I say "fun"?) to read, you increase the chances of funding. Also, there is an art to finding the line between appealing to the reader's emotions and being exploitative, and excellent writers know how to stay on the right side of it.
- The importance of organizational skills might be obvious, too. This includes gathering the needed information, keeping track of deadlines, responding promptly to grant-maker inquiries, following up if you have not heard results, and filing reports on grants you won as needed
If you want to try out the profession before committing, I bet that non-profits in your area would welcome the volunteer help. In addition to gaining experience, you would be building up your portfolio.
We think of grant writers as being in non-profits, but proposal writers in the for-profit world need the same skills. If you are a mission-driven person, the fulfillment might be less. But if you are trying to pay down student debt, the salary and benefits likely would be more.
Good luck!
Martha recommends the following next steps:
John Morehouse
Industry Research
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi there,
I'd like to share my journey of becoming a grant writer, which happened by chance. My background is in mechanical engineering and I worked in the industry for several years after graduating from university. However, I was drawn to academia due to the fascinating research and vibrant campus atmosphere. I became a research faculty member, writing grant proposals to government programs and project proposals to industry, with the aim of obtaining funding for our research program and supporting our graduate students. I had no prior experience in grant writing, but here are some tips and ideas based on what I learned along the way:
1) Look for entry-level jobs or internships in organizations that rely on grant funding. You don't have to lead the grant writing process, but participating in a grant proposal effort and even writing small sections can give you valuable experience.
2) Attend free grant writing seminars. I found a one-day course given by representatives from the small business administration in my city to be incredibly useful. It focused on writing successful grants for federal SBIR and STTR programs and covered a range of topics.
3) Read existing grant solicitations or requests for proposals (RFPs) and try outlining or even writing a practice grant proposal following their instructions. Federal government RFPs usually outline all elements that must be included in a grant proposal, so reading them and practicing how you might respond can be a great learning experience.
4) Continue to hone your writing skills, in general. As my career progressed, I increasingly took on roles that required writing long, technical documents. Taking the time to plan the content, key messages, and structure of your document can help you to write a cohesive piece and also save you a lot of writing time.
I hope this is helpful!
I'd like to share my journey of becoming a grant writer, which happened by chance. My background is in mechanical engineering and I worked in the industry for several years after graduating from university. However, I was drawn to academia due to the fascinating research and vibrant campus atmosphere. I became a research faculty member, writing grant proposals to government programs and project proposals to industry, with the aim of obtaining funding for our research program and supporting our graduate students. I had no prior experience in grant writing, but here are some tips and ideas based on what I learned along the way:
1) Look for entry-level jobs or internships in organizations that rely on grant funding. You don't have to lead the grant writing process, but participating in a grant proposal effort and even writing small sections can give you valuable experience.
2) Attend free grant writing seminars. I found a one-day course given by representatives from the small business administration in my city to be incredibly useful. It focused on writing successful grants for federal SBIR and STTR programs and covered a range of topics.
3) Read existing grant solicitations or requests for proposals (RFPs) and try outlining or even writing a practice grant proposal following their instructions. Federal government RFPs usually outline all elements that must be included in a grant proposal, so reading them and practicing how you might respond can be a great learning experience.
4) Continue to hone your writing skills, in general. As my career progressed, I increasingly took on roles that required writing long, technical documents. Taking the time to plan the content, key messages, and structure of your document can help you to write a cohesive piece and also save you a lot of writing time.
I hope this is helpful!
Michael Stefko
2
Answers
Updated
Michael’s Answer
I would broaden my scope to include overall grants management if this if your career consideration. Below are some descriptions of the roles and responsibilities to allow you to review. AI will have a big impact moving forward, so understanding/using these tool(s) to deliver a compelling story will become tantamount moving forward.
Role and Responsibilities:
Grants Writer: Primarily responsible for researching, preparing, and submitting proposals to win grant funding for an organization. Their tasks often involve developing comprehensive funding plans, crafting compelling narratives that align with the grantor's interests, and editing the proposal to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Grants Manager: Oversee the entire grant process, from identifying funding opportunities to ensuring compliance with grant terms post-award. They also manage the budget, track the use of funds, submit progress reports, and coordinate with various departments within the organization to facilitate efficient grant utilization.
Skills Required:
Grants Writer: Strong writing, storytelling, and research skills are critical. They need to be detail-oriented and able to understand and articulate complex information clearly and persuasively.
Grants Manager: Requires strong organizational, project management, and financial management skills. They should be able to coordinate and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders and ensure compliance with grant regulations.
Outcome Measurement:
Grants Writer: Success is often measured by the number of successful grants won and the amount of funding received.
Grants Manager: Success is based on how effectively the grant funds are managed and utilized, compliance with grant terms, and the positive impact achieved with the grant money.
Future of Grants Writers
Increased Demand: With the rise in philanthropy and public funding, the demand for skilled grant writers is expected to grow.
Digital Competence: As grant applications move increasingly online, grant writers will need to be well-versed in using digital platforms for research, collaboration, and submission of proposals.
Specialized Expertise: There will be a growing need for writers with specialized knowledge in specific sectors (e.g., healthcare, education, environment) as grantors seek projects that align closely with their mission and objectives.
Performance-Based Compensation: More organizations are moving towards performance-based pay, where grant writers are compensated based on the amount of funding they secure.
Greater Emphasis on Storytelling and Data: Successful grant proposals will increasingly need to tell compelling stories backed by robust data. Grant writers will need to master the art of weaving narratives around data to demonstrate the impact and importance of their projects.
Role and Responsibilities:
Grants Writer: Primarily responsible for researching, preparing, and submitting proposals to win grant funding for an organization. Their tasks often involve developing comprehensive funding plans, crafting compelling narratives that align with the grantor's interests, and editing the proposal to ensure clarity and accuracy.
Grants Manager: Oversee the entire grant process, from identifying funding opportunities to ensuring compliance with grant terms post-award. They also manage the budget, track the use of funds, submit progress reports, and coordinate with various departments within the organization to facilitate efficient grant utilization.
Skills Required:
Grants Writer: Strong writing, storytelling, and research skills are critical. They need to be detail-oriented and able to understand and articulate complex information clearly and persuasively.
Grants Manager: Requires strong organizational, project management, and financial management skills. They should be able to coordinate and collaborate effectively with various stakeholders and ensure compliance with grant regulations.
Outcome Measurement:
Grants Writer: Success is often measured by the number of successful grants won and the amount of funding received.
Grants Manager: Success is based on how effectively the grant funds are managed and utilized, compliance with grant terms, and the positive impact achieved with the grant money.
Future of Grants Writers
Increased Demand: With the rise in philanthropy and public funding, the demand for skilled grant writers is expected to grow.
Digital Competence: As grant applications move increasingly online, grant writers will need to be well-versed in using digital platforms for research, collaboration, and submission of proposals.
Specialized Expertise: There will be a growing need for writers with specialized knowledge in specific sectors (e.g., healthcare, education, environment) as grantors seek projects that align closely with their mission and objectives.
Performance-Based Compensation: More organizations are moving towards performance-based pay, where grant writers are compensated based on the amount of funding they secure.
Greater Emphasis on Storytelling and Data: Successful grant proposals will increasingly need to tell compelling stories backed by robust data. Grant writers will need to master the art of weaving narratives around data to demonstrate the impact and importance of their projects.