Grant Writer Career Guide

What is a grant writer?

A grant writer helps organizations, like charities or schools, get money by writing funding applications. These applications explain how the money will be used and show how the project matches the goals of the organization giving the money. The success of many groups depends on getting these grants, which makes these writers super important.

Duties and responsibilities

The main job of a grant writer is to come up with proposals that convince groups like foundations to give money. They must follow specific rules and meet deadlines when they apply. These writers also keep track of their proposals and report back to the funders about how things are going. They spend a lot of time researching new funding chances and keeping up good relationships with funders.

Work environment

Grant writers usually work in an office. They spend a lot of time on their computers doing things like writing, researching, and looking at data. They might have their own office so they can focus without interruptions. The job involves both a lot of concentration and talking to other people to collect information and stay in touch with funders.

Typical work hours

Grant writers generally work regular office hours, but sometimes they might need to work more when there’s a lot of grant work to do or a big deadline coming up. Some writers work part-time or on a freelance basis, which can be more flexible but still require good time management because of the deadlines.

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How to become a grant writer

Want to help organizations get the funds they need? Here’s how you can start your journey to becoming a grant writer:

Step 1: Get a college degree

Start by getting a bachelor’s degree. It doesn’t really matter what you study, but subjects like English, communications, or marketing could give you a head start because they involve lots of writing and research. If you can, take classes in grant writing.

Step 2: Gain some experience

Once you’re done with school, look for internships or entry-level jobs where you can learn about grant writing. Places like non-profits or schools often need grant writers, so these could be great spots to start.

Step 3: Sharpen your writing skills

Being a good writer is key. Work on making your writing clear and persuasive. Try writing stories or articles that explain complex stuff in simple terms.

Step 4: Learn about grants

Get to know everything about grants: how to find them, how to ask for them, and how to manage the money if you get it. You can learn a lot from workshops or courses.

Step 5: Create a portfolio

Put together a portfolio of your best work, like grant proposals you’ve written or helped with. This will show employers what you can do.

Step 6: Think about getting certified

You don’t have to, but getting a certification as a grant professional could help you stand out. You’ll need to meet some requirements and pass a test to get certified.

Step 7: Apply for jobs

Now, you’re ready to look for grant writing jobs. Keep trying, even if it takes a while, and use your portfolio to impress in interviews.

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How much do grant writers make?

Grant writer salaries will vary by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size. Relevant grant writing experience, a portfolio of successful grant awards, and professional certifications are unique factors impacting their compensation.

Highest paying industries

• Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: $79,120
• Social Advocacy Organizations: $74,670
• Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: $72,830
• Management of Companies and Enterprises: $71,980
• Grant-Making and Giving Services: $70,730

Browse grant writer salary data by market

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Types of grant writers

Here’s a look at different kinds of grant writers and what they do:

• Non-profit grant writer: These writers help charities and non-profit groups get the money they need to keep running. They need to really understand what the organization does to make a strong case for getting funding. 
• Freelance grant writer: If you like setting your own schedule, freelance grant writing might be for you. Freelance writers work for different clients and manage their own time. 
• Corporate grant writer: Some grant writers work for big companies that want money to start cool new projects or do research. In this job, you’d write about why the company deserves the grant, blending creative storytelling with serious business thinking.
• Healthcare grant writer: These writers focus on getting funding for health-related projects, like medical research or new health programs. It’s a big deal because their work helps advance medicine and health services. 
• Educational grant writer: These grant writers aim to improve education by getting funds for better school programs or new technology. They need to know a lot about how schools work and be great at explaining why these projects deserve funding.

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Top skills for grant writers

• Research skills: Grant writers need to be awesome at researching. They find out where the money is, what those who give the money want, and gather all the important info to back up their funding requests.
• Communication skills: It’s super important for them to explain their ideas clearly and persuasively in writing. They also need to be good at talking about their projects in a way that makes others excited and supportive.
• Time management: They often have to work fast and juggle several projects at once, all with strict deadlines. Being organized and able to manage your time well is crucial.
• Problem-solving abilities: Things don’t always go as planned, so being able to think on your feet and solve problems quickly is a big plus. These writers need to be creative and flexible to overcome challenges.
• Attention to detail: Paying close attention to every little detail is key because even small mistakes can cause a proposal to be rejected. Making sure everything is spot on and follows the rules exactly is a big part of their job.

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Grant writer career path options

Being a grant writer opens up a lot of cool job opportunities as you get more experienced. Here’s what the career ladder might look like:

Senior grant writer or team lead

Once you’ve got a good amount of experience, you might become a senior grant writer or even lead a team. You’d be in charge of guiding other writers, coming up with strategies, and helping new writers learn the ropes.

Grants manager

In this job, you get to manage the whole process of getting grants. That means everything from writing applications to handling the reports after you get the funding. You’ll use your skills to make sure your organization stays funded and runs smoothly.

Director of development

With even more experience, you could become a director of development. This is a big deal because you oversee not just grant writing but all kinds of fundraising efforts. You’ll make important decisions that help your organization grow.

Executive director

If you keep climbing the ladder, you might become the executive director of an organization. This is a top job where you guide the whole place, making sure it meets its goals and stays true to its mission.

Freelancing or consulting

After you’ve built up lots of experience, you might decide to work for yourself as a freelancer or consultant. This lets you choose your projects and work with different organizations, which can make your job really interesting and varied.

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Similar job titles

• Proposal Writer
• Technical Writer
• Copywriter
• Communications Director
• Program Coordinator
• Program Director
• Program Manager
• Project Coordinator

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Position trends and outlook for grant writers

The world of grant writing is changing fast, thanks to new technology. More and more writers are using special software to help them find grants, write proposals, and manage the money they get from grants. This tech also helps them use data to make their proposals stronger and more likely to win funding.

Employment projections

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks job growth but doesn’t break down the numbers just for grant writers—they’re included in the group called “writers and authors.” For this group, jobs are expected to grow by 4% through 2031, which is pretty average. As more organizations look for funding, they’ll need skilled writers to help them.

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Grant writer career tips

Master storytelling

Being able to tell a good story is super important in grant writing. Your stories should help people understand why your project matters and who it helps. Make your stories detailed and interesting. Remember, while numbers and facts are important to show you know what you’re talking about, stories make those facts come alive.

Understand the grant application process

Every place that gives out grants has its own rules on how to apply. If you don’t understand these, you might miss deadlines or make mistakes in your application. Make sure you take the time to learn how each process works and what you need to do.

Build your network

Knowing the right people can really help in the grant writing world. Networking lets you learn from others, share ideas, and sometimes even work together on projects. Here are some groups where you can meet other writers:

• American Grant Writers’ Association (AGWA)
• National Grant Management Association (NGMA)
• Grant Professionals Association (GPA)

Keep learning

Grant writing changes all the time—new rules, new funding priorities, and new ways to write winning proposals. Stay up-to-date by taking courses, listening to webinars, and going to seminars. This not only keeps you sharp but can also open up more job opportunities.

Consider certifications

Although it’s not required, having a certification like the Certified Grant Writer® can make you stand out and show that you know your stuff.

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FAQs