Frequently Asked Questions

A grant writer is responsible for preparing and submitting grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit organizations. They research grant opportunities, develop compelling proposals, and ensure compliance with the application requirements.

If a client is Grant Ready and a grant has been identified to apply for, the time required to write the grant varies. While a grant from a Foundation or Private Funder may be completed within 1-2 weeks, a Federal Grant can take weeks or even months,. Factors affecting the time are complexity of the requirements, as well as research that may need to be completed to support the proposal.

Hourly rates for Grant Writers range greatly and are not indicative of the quality of the work. Paying hourly can result in an unexpected bill. I prefer to work on project-based fixed fees determined by the scope of work, expected deliverables, and anticipated time commitment. 

It is widely considered unethical for a Grant Writer to be paid a grant commission. Too many factors go into why or why not a nonprofit is funded. Perhaps the nonprofit wasn't quite ready, or their program was not fully qualified for the particular grant they wanted to go for. Or perhaps there was a change on the funder's side. Transparent and fair compensation ensures grant writers are motivated to provide high-quality services that maintain objectivity and prioritize the best interests of the organization and the proposed project.

It's a huge time-saver! As a nonprofit leader, you have A LOT to concentrate on to fulfill your mission. Having someone take that off your plate lets you know that you are putting your organization in a position to bring in more funds. Bringing in a grant writing consultant means you don't have to train, manage, and pay for the long-term investment of an employee. Consultants often have access to grant research and management software to bring you faster access to a wide range of grant opportunities. They will ensure you never miss a deadline and that your grant calendar is planned out for the year. Consultants have the benefit of immersing themselves in everything grants-related, and you can benefit from their up-to-date knowledge, relationships with funders, and learnings from the various companies they deal with. Qualified and experienced grant professionals substantially increase your chances of being awarded a grant, which will attract even more funders! They can jump-start your grant strategy and success rate so that you can eventually take it in-house if that's your preference.