Grant Writer
3 Min Read
Grant writers research, draft, and present proposals with the goal of helping nonprofit organizations (and in some cases, individuals) receive funding. Public and private institutions designate billions of dollars for grant money each year; those funds are meant for specific causes. It is the job of the grant writer to match available money with projects or causes that need support.
What Does a Grant Writer Do?
Grant writing is a very rewarding career path, as writers get to regularly help causes that may be important to them. Animals, education, underprivileged children, violence prevention, and the environment are just a few of the causes a grant writer can expect to work for. Grant writers may work for charities or nonprofit organizations, or they may be self-employed contractors who accept projects from multiple organizations.
New grant writers would do well to seek employment in large cities, as this is where they will find the most diverse opportunities. Once a grant writer gets his or her foot in the door, the best advice is to focus on enhancing their craft via focused grant writing classes and workshops. These are oftentimes available through community colleges and professional associations.
As with many professions, on-the-job training is especially rich and will aid in career advancement. Years of practice will help grant writers develop the sharp skills needed for successful proposal writing.
How Much Do Grant Writers Earn?
According to PayScale, the average income for grant writers is about $48,300 per year. Grant writers who are self-employed generally charge a flat fee per project, but some establish an hourly rate for their services.
How Do I Become a Grant Writer?
Those interested in becoming a grant writer should strive to earn a bachelor’s degree to be qualified for entry-level jobs. One advantage of studying to be a grant writer is that it usually doesn’t matter what field of study a student chooses. Of course, classwork in English, writing, and marketing are helpful and will give a student an advantage for this role.
Grant writers are disciplined professionals who are able to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines. A good grant writer will possess the following skills:
- Research and writing: Grant writers use research to find opportunities and match them to their clients. Strong writing that concisely and convincingly expresses ideas within a proposal will help a project stand out and hopefully win funding.
- Attention to detail: Grant writers should endeavor to be as accurate and detail-oriented as possible in their work. In this same vein, the ability to multitask and organize writing logically is important.
- Interpersonal skills: Writers often work closely with clients, institutions, and co-workers to collect information and then convey it in a meaningful and accurate way. Strong interpersonal skills will help a grant writer be successful.
With the right skill set, you can enter a role as a grant writer. Concordia University, St. Paul’s online marketing degree will give you the practical tools needed to excel in this career path. Our program offers a convenient online format that allows you to complete your studies at a time and place that works best for you.