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How to become a grant writer

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If you have a background in writing or journalism and researching companies and initiatives is your idea of fun, a career in grant writing could be for you.

You may be able to work in this field part-time, on the side, without quitting other work you love, and many grant writers even work in a freelance role. Since the tools for this job are limited to your own skill, a computer, and an internet connection, this job can be completed from anywhere as well — perhaps even from your home.

One of the best perks of grant-writing? Your work can help change lives and make the world better.

How to become a grant writer in 3 steps

If you think you want to become a grant writer but aren’t exactly sure where to start, these basic steps can help you lay the groundwork:

Step 1 (maybe): Take an online grant writing course or grantwriting class

Often, grant writers who work for individual clients get their start with a bachelor’s degree in English or a related field. The exact field you earned a degree in doesn’t matter so much, however, provided you have excellent writing skills and enough attention to detail to get the job done.

Beyond brushing up on your writing skills, you can also take an online grant writing class online to learn the art of grant writing, and how to build a grant-writing business. Fortunately, the internet is home to all sorts of free and inexpensive resources that can help. Some colleges and universities offer courses in grant writing online. There are also certificate programs you can earn in this field, which may be a good idea to bolster your resume.

American Grant Writers’ Association online grant writing class

American Grant Writers’ Association offers online courses in grant proposal writing and grant consulting as well as a certificate program.

The American Grant Writers’ Association is a national professional organization for professional grant writers and grant administrators. 

Membership grants individuals access to a number of valuable resources:

  • Access to the association’s Members Only area 
  • Listing in their online membership directory
  • Opportunity to join special interest groups within the association, which are tailored to specific industries within the profession

When you pay for a grant writing online course, you automatically get an annual membership to the American Grant Writers’ Association, which otherwise costs $119 per year.

The American Grant Writers’ Association offers a number of online grant writing courses for project grants, as well as research grants. These include:

  • Grant Writing for Government Grants
  • Program Development and Proposal Writing
  • Grant Writing for Non-Profit Organizations
  • Certified Grant Writer® Series
  • Evaluation Plans for Project Grants (Advanced Course)
  • Preparing Applications for Research Grants
  • Grant Management
  • Starting a Grant Consulting Business

Completing the entire Certified Grant Writer® Series is the only way for an individual to earn the certification required to use the Certified Grant Writer® trademark. Completion also grants you free membership to the association, which normally costs $119. 

The curriculum consists of a grant-writing online course—Program Development and Proposal Writing (PDPW)—followed by a review course and examination. The course covers grantseeking and program development to proposal writing for nonprofit and for-profit institutions to ethics, and more. 

The association claims most students find that they are able to complete the 8-course assignments in about 50 hours over the course of one month. However, you have up to 90 days from date of purchase to complete all assignments. If necessary, you can buy a 90-day extension for $100. 

Upon completion of the course, students must select an available date to take the exam, which is currently conducted in-person. (Though the association is in the process of shifting to an online exam.) The test consists of true or false and multiple-choice questions, supplemented with a writing portion.

NonprofitReady free online grant writing classes

These are basic, free online courses from NonProfitReady.org to help you get started with basic grant writing skills. The site offers a free grant writing certificate that will teach you:

  • How to find the right grants for your nonprofit
  • Write great grant proposals
  • Build strong relationships with your grantors

Udemy grant writing classes

Udemy offers several dozen quick grant writing courses for fees of less than $20. These will get you started with basic skills.

Step 2. Consider grant writing certification

If you’re interested in becoming a grant writer, completing an online grant writing course or earning your grant writer certification can jump-start your career. Not only does earning your certification teach you what you need to know to do the job well, but it will also give you a valuable credential that you can use to strengthen your resume, stand out from your competition, and charge more for your services.

While there are a number of services and organizations which offer grant writing certification, our favorite is the Certified Grant Writer® Series from the American Grant Writers’ Association. This curriculum provides students with the skills needed to become a grant writer, while also allowing you to use the Certified Grant Writer® trademark in your resume, website, LinkedIn profile and marketing material. 

Step 3: Gain some experience.

Next up you’ll want to gain some experience, and this may just be the hardest part. After all, how do you gain experience writing grants when nobody has hired you yet?

The best step to take here is to look for volunteer or internship opportunities. A good place to start is the American Grant Writers’ Association since they partner with numerous organizations that work with and hire professionals to craft grant proposals. The AGWA also sponsors a Grant Conference for grant writers who want to stay on top of industry trends or meet other grant writers in their niche.

On Indeed.com, there are usually some openings for grant writing internships. At the moment, there are several available, including opportunities for contract grant writing work and full-time trial positions. FlexJobs.com also offers some unpaid grant writing internship opportunities on their website as well as links to paid jobs.

You can also try your hand at networking with other grant writers. They may know about entry-level opportunities you could explore or be willing to show you the ropes. Attending conferences like the AGWA Grant Conference or the annual conference sponsored by the Grant Professionals Association can also help you get your foot in the door. Also, check out Facebook groups for grant writers. There are several that can be easily found online, including one for “professional grant writers.” You can probably learn a lot from people already working in this career, and it can’t hurt to join and see what these groups are all about.

Finally, keep in mind that your prior work experience could lead to a paid job as a grant writer, particularly if you worked for a nonprofit. The more you know about a specific industry, the more attractive you will be when being considered for other positions in that industry. If you worked in healthcare in your previous career, for example, you may have a leg up when it comes to finding work writing grants in the healthcare niche. If you have worked in a field where grants are awarded regularly, you may already have contacts you could reach out to for advice.

What degree is needed for grant writing?

Again, there is no formal education requirement for being a grantwriter, though many in the field come from a writing background — English major, journalism, marketing. Others enter the field through their experience in non-profits or government jobs. 

But, who hires grant writers? And what do grant writers do? Most of the time, businesses and nonprofits that need help to secure funding for various projects through grants hire these professionals to seek out and apply for money from organizations that give out these funds.

Here are some important points to understand as you consider becoming a grant writer:

  1. What is a grant writer?
  2. What kind of tasks do grant writers do?
  3. What skills do you need to be become a grant writer?

What is a grant writer?

To understand what kind of work a grant writer does, you need to understand how grants work in the first place. Grants are funds gifted to companies and organizations by public and private foundations. These funds are typically awarded to help the organization reach a specific objective, such as conducting research or developing a new product. An example would be a research lab that seeks out grants to do its research on thyroid cancer.  A grant is a gift, but it is only given for a specific purpose that is usually aimed at a philanthropic goal.

Grant writers are the professionals who put together the proposals for companies and organizations that are seeking grants. Many grant writers work for a single organization with the goal of helping them qualify for as many grants as possible, while others take on freelance grant writing projects.

Thanks to technology, it’s easier than ever to work as a grant writer from home, although you’ll need to build up some experience on your resume before you’ll be able to secure clients. Thankfully, there are many opportunities to get that kind of marketable experience (read on!).

What kind of tasks do grant writers do?

The tasks that grant writers complete can vary slightly depending on the position they work in. A grant writer who works for a single client may spend some of their time researching grants to apply for, whereas a freelance grant writer mostly focuses mostly on creating the grant paperwork required for grants their clients wish to apply for.

Other tasks grant writers complete include:

  • Grant writers research grants to ensure the client’s project fits with the goal of the grant. Since grants require money and resources to pursue, grant writers need to devote time to figuring out which grants are worth going after.
  • Grant writers read over grant guidelines. Before a grant writer can get started with their work, they have to read over information about specific grants to ensure they follow listed rules when drafting their proposal.
  • Grant writers create proposals. Grant writers use their time, expertise and creativity to write compelling grant proposals that explain why a client’s project is important. They often include stories that explain the company’s commitment to specific causes — such as the environment or children. Grant proposals need to be factual and informational, but they also need to be motivational and interesting enough to stand out.
  • Grant writers work with clients and donors. Not only do grant writers need to be able to communicate with their clients and answer their questions, but they may also speak with prospective donors regularly. That’s why excellent communication skills are required for this job, even if you work from home.

What skills do you need to become a grant writer?

To work as a grant writer, you need to have excellent writing skills as well as the ability to write persuasively. You are asking for money, so you need to explain why your client needs the money and why they deserve it over all the other people who apply. You also need to have attention to detail and solid proofreading skills since you may or may not have someone available to edit your work.

Having organizational and multitasking skills is also important since you may be juggling several clients and grant proposals at once. Finally, you need to be great at research to work successfully as a grant writer since you’ll need to research plenty before you start each proposal as well as during the process.

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Are grant writers in demand?

Here is what expert grant writers say about the market for these jobs:

Career stability and demand for grant writers/managers from r/grantwriting

How much do grant writers make?

Pay in this field can vary widely since some grant writers work for companies and others are self-employed. The good news is, you have the potential to earn a lot more than your peers if you can handle a large workload and keep your clients happy.

Grant writer’s salary

You may work as a salaried grant writer, being employed full-time at a non-profit, university, or other non-profit organization that depends on grants.

Salary.com reports that grant writers were paid an average of up to $76,457 as of July.

Your pay will depend on a wide range of factors including your experience, education, certifications, and even where you live.

Freelance grant writing

Many grant writers work as freelance consultants, writing grant proposals for multiple clients.

Freelance grant writers can earn $100 per hour or more, although that’s usually only if they have a lot of experience and the ability to research and write quickly — and get results for their clients (grants!). Most newbie grant writers will earn closer to $40 or $50 per hour.

Pros and cons of becoming a grant writer

Consider these pros and cons before you look for work as a grant writer:

Advantages of working as a grant writer

  • There’s a strong possibility you can work from home
  • High income potential, since you will control your time and how much you charge
  • You can use your skills and expertise to help causes you care about
  • The work can be interesting, and you can meet inspiring people
  • You will likely be self-employed.

Disadvantages of working as a grant writer

  • It may be challenging to gain grant writing and industry experience at first
  • Self-employed grant writers need to pay their own benefits and take care of their own taxes
  • You may need to spend some time finding and securing clients
  • You will likely be self-employed. This can mean freedom, power, and independence, but for some moms the instability and lack of benefits like health and disability insurance are negatives.

You need disability insurance more than life insurance. Those who do not have disability insurance through a job, including the self-employed, can find individual coverage through reputable companies for an affordable price.

How do you find grantwriter jobs?

When it comes to finding grant writing jobs, there are several options to consider. You can seek out traditional employment or you can try to build a freelance grant writing career. Some tips that can help include:

  • Create a portfolio online. To market yourself to potential clients, it is important to have attractive social media accounts, as well as a simple website that showcases who you are, and what you offer.
  • Check the big online job boards such as ZipRecruiter.com, Indeed.com and CareerBuilder. Even googling “grant writing jobs” can help you find job boards with positions listed in your area.
  • Reach out to local nonprofits and organizations that are likely to qualify for grants. Offer to help them pro bono, then leverage your experience for your portfolio and resume.
  • Set up an account on Fiverr.com noting your writing experience and grant writing abilities. You may be able to find entry-level freelance work writing grants for companies.
  • Update your LinkedIn profile to show you have grant writing experience and a renewed focus on this career path.

How to prepare your grant writer resume

Hiring a professional resume writer or resume editor is a huge advantage in creating a grant-writer resume that stands out. A quality resume service will help you not only create a professional resume, but also help you frame your experience and goals in a way that you cannot do on your own. It always helps to have a second set of trusted eyes when it comes to important career moves.

Free resume review from TopResume >>

The bottom line

A career in grant writing may be challenging, but you have the potential to work with companies who are making positive changes in the world.

Do not to let a lack of experience get in your way. If you have a background in writing or a way with words, you may have more applicable skills for this job than you realize. Take the time to build up your portfolio and your resume, and you could be writing grant proposals from home in no time.

Writing not your style? If you have an eagle-eye, you might consider proofreading instead. Read:

How to be a work-at-home proofreader

Proofread Anywhere reviews in 2023: Is it worth it?

Or if you're more of a numbers person, consider one of these careers:

How do you become a grant writer?

Take an online grant writing course or grant writing class. Consider grant writing certification. Gain experience.

How much do grant writers make?

Pay in this field can vary widely since some grant writers work for companies and others are self-employed. The good news is, you have the potential to earn a lot more than your peers if you can handle a large workload and keep your clients happy. Salary.com reports that grant writers were paid an average of up to $76,457 as of July 2021.

4 Comments

In the article above, it is mentioned that NonProfitReady.org does not have a certificate program. However, they recently added a new certificate program called a Grant Seeking Essentials certificate. It has 3 trainings and then an exam. I just passed the exam today and received my certificate. The program gave a comprehensive overview of the grant process. Plus, it was great that I could pause and restart the trainings as needed according to how my schedule was going that day. I’d recommend it. Their other grant courses are pretty informative too.

Hello Emma, I loved this article. I am really interested in learning how I can become a professional freelance Grant Writer. I am seeing a lot of outdated information online about the profession. Are they still in demand, Is it still a lucrative career to begin in 2020? I did see a lot of education and classes on learning how to write these proposals but before I do that I want to make sure that it is still a viable Freelance Business.

I pay a visit every day some web sites and sites to read articlews or reviews, except this web
site preseents feagure based content.

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