Getting grants for your nonprofit likely tops your funding to-do list. But finding and managing grant opportunities takes significant time and expertise. An experienced grant writer can make all the difference when competing for limited philanthropic dollars. If you aren't sure where to start in finding someone, you've come to the right place!
Define Your Needs
Before searching for candidates, outline what you need in a grant writer:
Subject area expertise - Do they specialize in your mission area?
Track record - Have they secured major grants at similar organizations?
Available time - Will they commit necessary hours each week?
Communication skills - Can they convey your story powerfully?
81% of nonprofits say subject matter expertise is an essential grant writer qualification.
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Where to Find Candidates
Cast a wide net leveraging your networks:
Referrals - Ask funders and partners for recommendations.
Jobs boards - Post to nonprofit sites like Opportunity Knocks and Idealist.
Freelance platforms - Search proven grant writer profiles on Upwork or Fiverr.
Local consultants - Retain someone invested in your community long-term.
Current staff - Assess if existing team members have capacity or interest.
On average, nonprofits evaluate 4-6 candidates before selecting a grant writer.
Assess Their Fit
Vet prospects thoroughly regarding:
Qualifications - Review their background, education, and years in the sector.
Subject expertise - Gauge their knowledge of your specific issue through discussion.
Work samples - Read 2-3 grant proposals and reports they've written previously.
References - Speak to 1-2 organizations they currently or previously supported.
Capacity - Confirm they can dedicate 10-15 hours weekly.
1 in 2 nonprofits say lack of bandwidth from overcommitted writers leads to turnover.
Define the Partnership
Be clear about expectations from the start:
Scope - Outline specific grants to be written with deadlines.
Process - Establish meetings for input gathering, drafting, feedback.
Work product - Agree on proposal formats, editing rounds, systems to use.
Pricing - Choose flat rate, hourly, or monthly retainer model.
Terms - Document milestone payments, ownership of materials, etc.
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89% of productive writer relationships start with a well-defined scope of work and expectations.
The effort to find a grant writer pays exponential dividends when you secure funding for your crucial mission. I'm cheering you on as you take this step to invest in your nonprofit's growth and impact!
Conclusion
Finding an effective grant writer takes time upfront, but brings long-term rewards. Leveraging referrals, job platforms, and freelancers widens your pool of qualified candidates. Yet without assessing writing samples, areas of expertise, availability, communication abilities, and references, you won't confirm the best fit. Moving forward in partnership requires clearly defining the scope of work, process, deliverables, pricing model, and other terms before drafting your first request together.
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FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that I would include for an article on finding the right grant writer for a nonprofit:
What qualifications should I look for in a grant writer?
Some key qualifications to seek include: proven grant writing experience (particularly winning larger grants), knowledge of your focus area, strong research and writing skills, ability to meet deadlines, and excellent communication and collaboration abilities.
What is the typical grant writer fee structure?
Grant writers typically charge either an hourly rate (often $40-$100+ per hour), monthly retainer, or flat project fee. The model influences overall cost and predictability. Consider what aligns best with your budget and needs.
Should I hire a grant writer as an employee or independent contractor?
With an employee, you pay salaries, taxes and benefits which adds up over time. Independent contractors allow more flexibility to adjust level of support needed. Review legal considerations to determine the best approach.
What is a reasonable workload expectation for a grant writer?
Most grant writers juggle 10-15 proposals in progress per 20-30 hour week. Make your expectations clear upfront regarding capacity for meetings, draft reviews, systems to use, and depth of personalization expected.
How can I prevent grant writer turnover and build an enduring partnership?
Clearly set mutual expectations for scope of work, communications cadence, and the proposal development process at the outset. Maintain open dialog about what’s working well and any needed adjustments. Offer reasonable compensation and recognize their contributions to sustain motivation.
What metrics should the grant writer report on?
Gather data from your grant writer on applications submitted, request amounts, awards secured, funders engaged, application-to-win rates over time, and progress made towards annual fundraising goals. Tracking this informs strategy adjustments.