| If you love to write, are highly organized, and | | | | have been awarded. The typical duties of a |
| enjoy working for a good cause, grant writing | | | | generalist grant writer are: |
| may be the perfect career for you. With more | | | | - Finding the Money – conducting research on |
| than 1.5 million nonprofits and thousands more | | | | potential donors |
| organizations depending on grants in the United | | | | - Developing the Programs – working with |
| States alone, grant writers are in high demand. | | | | staff to develop fundable programs |
| What Do Grant Writers Do? | | | | - Writing the Grant Proposal – developing a |
| Grant writers are an integral part of the | | | | detailed, written plan of action |
| development or fundraising field. The term | | | | - Managing the Grant – ensuring that program |
| “grant writer” is a bit of a misnomer since | | | | project is being conducted as promised |
| grant writers actually write proposals to get | | | | - Other Duties as Assigned – maintaining grant |
| grants. Writing is just one part of the grant | | | | calendar and writing acknowledgments |
| writer’s job. Grant writers also help develop | | | | How Much Money Do Grant Writers Make? |
| programs, research potential funders, and draft | | | | The salary range for a Grant/Proposal Writer in |
| reports and letters to donors. Grant writers come | | | | the United States in 2009 was $41,590-$68,497, |
| from a variety of backgrounds, including social | | | | with a median salary of $51,967 (Salary.com). |
| workers, English majors and scientists. The most | | | | Grant writers who work as independent |
| successful share the following skills and traits: | | | | contractors usually make a higher hourly wage |
| - Persuasive and Creative Writing Skills – ability | | | | than those who work full-time for nonprofits or |
| to “sell” a program or project | | | | government agencies. This rate varies |
| - Ability to Work Well With Others – able to | | | | dramatically, ranging from $40 to $100 an hour |
| collaborate with other staff on program/project | | | | depending on level of experience. |
| development | | | | How Do I Get Trained as a Grant Writer? |
| - Grace Under Pressure – ability to meet tight | | | | There is no specific college degree in grant writing. |
| deadlines and manage multiple projects | | | | The vast majority of professional grant writers |
| - An Eye for Detail – ability to decipher | | | | have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from |
| complicated instructions and grant guidelines | | | | a college or university with a major in English, the |
| Where Do Grant Writers Work? | | | | social sciences, liberal arts, science, or social work. |
| Grant writers work for a variety of different | | | | Majors with coursework that emphasizes writing |
| organizations, either as employees or freelance | | | | and research provide a good foundation for a |
| consultants. Nonprofit organizations employ the | | | | career as a grant writer. While books and Internet |
| majority of grant writers. These include social | | | | resources on grant writing are available, if you are |
| service organizations, museums and arts | | | | serious about the field, classes and workshops |
| organizations, environmental and animal welfare | | | | conducted by experienced grant writers will |
| organizations, and more. Grant writers also work | | | | provide a more comprehensive overview of |
| for schools, colleges and universities, and | | | | writing grants. Many include hands-on exercises |
| government agencies. | | | | including working on actual grant proposals. This |
| What is a Typical Day Like? | | | | training is crucial to landing internships and jobs in |
| A typical day on the job as a grant writer varies | | | | the field. |
| dramatically depending on the size of the | | | | Are Grant Writers in Demand? |
| organization and the scope of the position. Grant | | | | The job outlook for grant writers is good, |
| writers who work at larger organizations are | | | | especially in today’s difficult economy. Now |
| usually “specialists” while those working at | | | | more than ever, nonprofit organizations rely |
| smaller organizations are “generalists.” The | | | | heavily on private grant dollars to support their |
| majority of grant writing jobs fall into the latter | | | | programs and services. Grants from foundations, |
| category, where you will not only be responsible | | | | corporations, and organizations are crucial to keep |
| for drafting proposals but will also be charged with | | | | programs running, and grant writers are needed |
| researching donors and managing grants that | | | | for their expertise in securing these funds. |