Hiring a Grant Writer? Need to know how and where to find the best candidates? Here is a comprehensive guide to finding the best Grant Writers. Read on!
What is grant writing? Grant writing is the process of writing a grant application to request funding from entities such as a foundation, government body, or organization. Did you know 20% of your budget can be covered by grant money according to some non-profit grant writing experts?
A grant writer helps you get those funds from organizations that align with your agency’s goals. Grant writers can work for several organizations in varied roles such as medical grants writer, Christain grant writers job, grant editor, etc.
This article is a recruiting guide for employers looking to hire grant writers. It covers important topics such as skills and qualifications to look for, relevant job boards to find a grant writer near me, how much does it cost to hire a grant writer, interview questions, etc.
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Hiring market for Grant Writer
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the estimated employment growth rate of grant writers is 8% over the 2018- 2028 decade. This will lead to 4700 new job opportunities across the U.S. The median annual salary of a grant writer is USD 44,331.
There are close to 1.5 million non-profit organizations and thousands of others who are dependent on grants in the United States alone. These statistics imply that there is a high demand for grant writers in the market these days.
The most popular cities for grant writers in the U.S. are New York, NY, and Washington, DC. Most of the grant writing specialist workers are hired in the education industry as education grant writers. Here is a list of some common industries that are hiring grant writers,
- Education
- Environmental
- Health
- Housing
- Animal Welfare
There are close to 5231 grant writers in the United States as per Zippia’s 2020 statistics. Several career paths exist in the grant writing business. Grant writers can either be hired independently or through professional grant writing companies.
The contract for grant writing services can be made on a project-to-project basis. More organizations are inclined towards hiring independent grant writer roles as the work is mostly temporary.
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Top 15 job titles that companies are hiring Grant Writer
Companies and grant writing firms are hiring grant writers for multiple job titles based on their education, experience, area of expertise, skills, etc. The following grants writer titles are in demand,
1. Contract & Grant Specialist
A contract and Grant Specialist assists the development and coordination of activities carried out for grants or contract proposals. This job role requires a Bachelor’s degree and a relevant experience of 2-4 years in related fields. The median salary of Contract and Grant Specialists is around $59,721 annually.
2. Non-Profit Grant Writer
Non profit grant writers work as grant writers for non profit organizations developing and writing proposals to meet the funder’s requirements. This job role requires a Bachelor’s degree along with 1-2 years of grant writing services non profit experience. The Non Profit grant writer salary range falls between $43,873 to $52,070 annually.
3. Grants Associate
A Grants Associate prepares the internal and external budget and finance reports. They also participate in developing audit processes and monitoring instruments. 1-3 years of relevant experience in accounting or grants administration is preferred for this job role. A Grant Associate earns an average salary of $58,330 annually.
4. Grant Management Specialist
A Grants Management Specialist assists in post-award monitoring duties that include gathering data, resolving audit findings, and assessing audit needs. A minimum of 3 years of related experience is required to apply for the job role. A Grant Management Specialist earns an average salary of $71,175 annually.
5. Grant Program Coordinator
A Grant Program Coordinator helps in implementing a consistent grant application methodology. A Bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for this job role. Experience of 2 years or more is required to apply for the role. A Grant Coordinator earns a median salary of $67,511 annually.
6. Grants Manager
A Grants/Proposal Manager is required to prepare proposal for grant writing services and manage them as per the funder’s organizational policies and legal requirements. This job role requires a Bachelor’s degree along with 3+ years of managerial experience. A Grants Manager earns a median salary of $74,005 per annum.
7. Director of Development, Non-profit Organization
The Director of Development, a Non-profit organization earns an average salary of $109,400 annually. The job role expects a minimum of 3 years of experience in managerial roles. Director of Development, Non-profit organizations are responsible for designing and implementing special events and marketing programs to maximize donor interaction.
8. Director, Grants
Director of Grants is a senior-level role that requires a minimum experience of 10+ years working in grant management. The job role requires assistance in staff supervision involved in the funding procurement process and work closely with other departmental supervisors. The average salary of the Director of Grants is $74,697 annually.
9. Grants and Resources Specialist
A Grants and resources specialist assists in the development of fundraising goals and soliciting funds. They may also assist in developing major gift opportunities and writing grant proposals. The average salary for this job role is $72,030 annually. An experience of 2-4 years is typically required to apply for this role.
10. Grants Administrator
A Grants Administrator is responsible for carrying out activities both before and after the awards process. They keep a record of funding sources and grant applications. A related experience of 4-7 years is typically required for this job role. The median salary of a Grants Administrator is $78,047 annually.
11. Major Gifts Manager
A Major Gifts Manager is responsible for organizing special events and preparing proposals for obtaining funds. This job role requires 5-years of relevant experience as an individual contributor. Supervisory Experience of 1-3 years may be expected. The median salary of a Major Gifts Manager is around $96,770 annually.
12. Proposal Writer
A Grant proposal writer holds the responsibility of creating business proposals by the organization’s goals and objectives. Grant proposal writing includes researching for funding sources and writing proposals to varied organizations. This job role requires 2-4 years of relevant experience. The median salary of a Proposal Writer is around $72,101 annually.
13. Grant Accountant
A Grant Accountant assists in the preparation of all budget-related materials and documentation to be submitted along with the grant application to the funders. A Bachelor’s degree along with 0-2 years of relevant experience in related fields is desirable. The median salary of a Grant Accountant is $25 per hour.
14. Grant Analyst
A Grant Analyst assists in compiling, analyzing, and monitoring grant budget processes. Their role includes recommending budget modifications and strategies. The average salary of a Grant Analyst is $58,565 yearly. A Bachelor’s degree is a must while a Master’s degree is desirable. A candidate who has given grant writing services for 1-3 years is usually expected.
15. Senior Grant Writer
A Senior Grant Writer acts as a point of contact throughout the proposal preparation process. They take the lead role in developing and writing funding proposals. The average salary of a Senior Grant Writer is $56,605 annually. A grant writing service experience of 3-5 years is preferred.
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Qualifications to look for in Grant Writer
Have you wondered what the grant writer education requirements are? To become a grant writer a Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, media, marketing, public relations, creative writing, or related fields is essential. A Bachelor’s degree is typically a four-year program with a focus on writing and persuasive tactics. Some of the schools that provide such programs are,
- San Diego State University
- James Madison University
- Northwestern University
- University of Houston
- Stanford University
After earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited University, a certification course in grant writing is recommended to stand out from the crowd. There are several online and in-person programs available to teach professional grant writing such as,
- Grant Writing Basics for beginners – Skillshare
- A to Z grant writing
- Grant writing for non-profits and freelance writers – Udemy
- Grant Proposal – Coursera
These certification programs vary in duration from a few months to a couple of days. Based on experience in the field, certification can be selected.
The next question is how to get grant writing experience? To gain real-time experience a candidate must look for internships and volunteer opportunities. These internships are useful to gain expertise in writing grants for specific industries.
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Skills to look for in Grant Writer
While hiring a grant writer, recruiters should keep an eye for following technical and non-technical skills during the recruitment process,
1. Written Communication skills – A grant writer has to be proficient in English written communication to write error-free applications.
2. Research skills – You should be looking for a grant writer who does good research on the grant topic before starting to write an application.
3. Computer skills – Hire grant writer with basic computer skill knowledge such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
4. Organizational skills – Being organized helps grant writers in managing different projects and deadlines.
5. Industry knowledge – Someone who writes grants should keep themselves updated regarding the latest innovations and information about grants.
6. Creativity – A creative and innovative approach to make your grant stand out from the crowd is a lucrative skill to have.
7. Persistence – A good grant writer has to be persistent in pursuing grants for the organization.
8. Detail-oriented – To apply for grants an application guideline must be followed. A detail-oriented perfectionist is suited for grant writing.
9. Practical approach – You need a grant writer who has a realistic understanding of which grants should the writer apply for to benefit the organization.
10. Willingness to Learn – A willingness to learn new tools and skills used for applying and tracking grant applications.
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Certifications to look for in Grant Writer
Grant writers can get certified either online or by taking in-person courses in universities. If a recruiter thinks “ I need a grant writer” then they should look for the below-listed certifications while hiring a candidate,
1. Grant Writing Certificate by University of Massachusetts
The course teaches grant writing basics such as best practices, budgets, and preparing proposals. To get a non-credit certificate, a student has to clear two certificates of 1.75 CEUs each.
Estimated cost: $550 each
Course Duration: 17.5 hours each
Course Format: Online
2. Fundamentals of Grant Writing by University of Georgia
This beginner course helps students to get equipped with knowledge, tools, and skills of grant writing.
Estimated cost: $159
Course Duration: 24 hrs
Course Format: Online
3. Federal Grant Writing 101 by Udemy
This is a short-term course that focuses on federal grant application research and writing.
Estimated cost: $44.99
Course Duration: 1 hrs 41 mins
Course Format: Online
4. Professional Certificate in Grant Writing by San Diego State University
This certification course teaches students to identify funding prospects, understand grant guidelines, prepare a compelling narrative and budget.
Estimated cost: $698
Course Duration: 10 weeks
Course Format: Online
5. Grant Writing and Crowdfunding for Public Libraries by the University of Michigan
It is a free online course that aims to equip students with the knowledge to develop effective grant proposals.
Estimated cost: Free
Course Duration: 4 weeks
Course Format: Online
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Rate per hour of Grant Writer
A freelance grant writer in the U.S. can earn $25 per hour at the beginning of their career and go as high as $100 per hour as the grant writing experience increases. According to PayScale, a full-time grant writer can earn $48,000 annually, and freelance grant writers earn in between the range of $13.67 to $50.42 on average.
Grant writer fees schedule 2018 is more or less the same even now in 2021. Freelance grant writing fees vary based on the number of pages where a flat fee of $500 is charged for 3-4 pages and a 60+ page grant costs $15,000. In Europe, an entry-level grant writer with experience of 2-3 years earns an average salary of €36673 annually.
Freelance grant writing rates in New Zealand are €25 per hour. Recruiters can also get free grant writing services from Grantexperts.info who provides free grant writers to schools and education agencies. The grants for grant writers are taken from the funder’s donation amount.
According to SalaryExpert, an hourly rate of ₹313 is charged by freelance grant writers in India. Professional grant writer fees at entry-level are ₹4,74,285 per annum. At the senior-level, a professional grant writer earns almost double with an approximate annual salary of ₹8,16,040.
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Top 10 job boards to find best Grant Writer
Are you thinking about how to find a grant writer? To find the best grant writers, the job requirement should be updated on multiple job boards. These job boards help you find freelance and full-time grant writers for hire based on your project needs.
Freelance websites like Upwork, Guru have profiles of grant writers online along with their area of expertise, years of experience, hourly rates, etc. If you are a recruiter looking for grant writers, consider the following job portals to find a grant writer.
- Upwork
- unremot.com
- Indeed
- American Grant Writers Association Job Board
- Associated Grant Makers
- Freelancer
- FlexJobs
- Guru
- Monster
Local grant writers, grant writers for small business organizations, grant writers for non-profit organizations, grant writers near me can be hired on these sites.
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Top 10 companies hiring Grant Writer and salaries offered
Here are top companies that are looking for professional grant writing services,
- Washington University of St. Louis is a private research university that offers an entry-level salary of $41.3k- $52.6k yearly.
- The U.S Department of Health and Human Services aims at protecting the health of American citizens. The entry-level salary provided is $48k per annum.
- The state of Minnesota is ranked #87 on the best companies to work for in America list. The average entry-level salary is $40k per annum.
- The University of Kansas is a public research university with 6,000 demographically diverse employees. They pay $18k annually to their entry-level employees.
- The United States Department of Energy is a cabinet department of the United States federal government concerned with energy policies. The entry-level salary is $39k annually.
- The University of Missouri is a public land grant research university that pays an annual salary of $53k at entry-level job roles.
- The United States Department of Homeland Security is a cabinet department of the United States federal government with public security responsibility. It offers an entry-level salary of $77.5k- 100.7k annually.
- American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization providing emergency assistance. The entry-level salary provided is $35k.
- Robert Half International is a global human resource consulting firm that pays $17- $24 hourly to its entry-level employees.
- The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church and a charitable organization. The entry-level employees are paid $25K yearly.
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Top 10 interview questions for Grant Writer
Do you often wonder how to hire a grant writer? The trick is to ask the right questions during the interview to find a grant writer suited to your needs. These top 10 interview questions will help you find grant writing professionals.
1. What are the qualities of a well-written grant?
Rationale: Gives an insight into the candidate’s grant writing skills.
Sample Answer: A well-written grant should be focused and concise. It has to be descriptive yet specific. A good grant should have all relevant details along with data and statistics.
2. Describe a typical workday of a grant writer?
Rationale: This helps recruiters to see what does a candidate does while they are working in detail.
Sample Answer: Candidates should be able to describe a typical workday and what they do to ensure their work meets quality and deadlines.
3. What are your primary areas of expertise?
Rationale: To check a candidate’s industry experience in a specific field.
Sample Answer: Candidates should tell what roles they have taken up earlier such as education grant writer, medical grant writer, etc.
4. Please Explain your work process?
Rationale: To see if the candidate has a good understanding of writing grants and comprehending application guidelines.
Sample Answer: Firstly, I like to do thorough research to identify potential funding organizations. Secondly, I communicate with the donors personally. Lastly and most importantly I ensure that I have a deep understanding of requesting organization and its needs.
5. Give examples of your previous work?
Rationale: To analyze what kind of work experience a candidate possesses.
Sample Answer: A good candidate would be able to explain their previous work in detail. What was their work process and how did they meet client expectations.
6. Where do you find grant opportunities?
Rationale: To check if the candidate has desired access to internet databases useful for finding grant opportunities.
Sample Answer: Candidates should be easily able to tell the different sources they use to find grant opportunities. Most of them will have subscriptions as part of their consulting business.
7. What have you learned from your mistakes as a non-profit grant writer?
Rationale: To check the credibility of a candidate and how they improve from their mistakes.
Sample Answer: Candidates should be able to quote examples of setbacks during their work and their learnings. What steps they took to ensure it won’t get repeated.
8. How do you improve your skills as a grant writer?
Rationale: To see if the candidate is invested in the profession of grant writing.
Sample Answer: The candidate should list out several ways by which they improve their skills such as reviewing communication skills articles, attending training sessions, etc.
9. What are your strengths?
Rationale: Helps recruiters assign the work to the candidate based on their strengths.
Sample Answer: Give examples of your strong areas along with reasons to back up your answer. Focus on quality rather than quantity while answering this question.
10. Tell me about a time when you missed a deadline? How did you resolve the issue?
Rationale: To look for a candidate’s organizational skills.
Sample Answer: To answer this question one should first explain the situation or task at hand. Secondly, what actions were taken to resolve the issues, and finally what was the result/outcome.
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