What does a grant writer do?

Grant Writers provide the key to Funding

A grant writer prepares funding proposals to persuade grant-funders—foundations, corporations, and government agencies—to provide financial support.  Grant writers often work on several projects at once under tight deadlines. They must adhere to complex guidelines for federal and state grants.  

A grant proposal describes a grant-seeker’s mission, programs, activities, and budget required to conduct the work.  A successful grant proposal also provides compelling evidence of the significance of the organization and/or the project.

The grant writer designs each proposal to match the specific funding opportunity, making a compelling case that the grant-seeking organization is well-suited and qualified to meet the purpose of the funding. The proposal must target a critical need or problem and offer a viable and effective plan to address that concern.

A grant writer becomes familiar with an organization’s programs, goals and financial needs. They develop knowledge of the organization’s professional language and becomes familiar with its theories, models and best practices (either personally or through the organization’s experts).

The grant writer will help an organization determine which funding opportunities are most likely to bring success. The grant writer will fully analyze guidelines for each funding opportunity. The grant writer will then guide the grant-seeker through a process of aligning the proposed program to those guidelines. The grant writer may use interviews and other means to gather information and understand the rationale and intent of a project or program as defined by the person responsible for carrying it out.

Unlike fundraisers, grant writers are less likely to work directly with funders.  Rather, grant writers research grant-making organizations and analyze their likelihood of supporting the grant-seeking organization. The grant writer advises the organization’s executives and program specialists on building relationships with grant-makers and/or designing projects that will meet the grant-maker’s funding goals. 

A grant writer works closely with a nonprofit’s accountant and program staff to develop budgets for projects and program staff.  The grant writer will develop the budget or review the budget to match the grant-making organizations’ guidelines.

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Adapted from Vault.com and raisefunds.com.