12 Grant Writing Jobs You Can Do As a Beginner
Grant writing is a lucrative freelance writing niche that few writers pursue, and there are many different types of writing jobs you can do. Here are some common grant submission mistakes to avoid, as well as industries that require grant writers. Do you want to supplement your income as a stay-at-home mom?
What is Grant Writing?
Grant writing jobs are in high demand and are not as difficult to come by as you might think. According to Salary.com, a new grant writer with less than a year of experience can expect to earn around $69,200.
Is Grant Writing a Good Career?
Some companies offer grant writing internships, and grant writers can write grants on a one-time basis or work with a client on an ongoing basis. The more funds you secure, the more people will want to hire you.
How to Become a Grant Writer
There are many moving parts to writing a grant, and grant writers must have a firm grasp on the information they require in their proposal. Keep in mind that there are hundreds or thousands of other nonprofits or businesses competing for the same grant.
How to Write a Grant
The application should be well-thought-out and include a detailed plan for how the project will be managed and implemented, as well as how the funds will be spent.
Common Mistakes Beginner Grant Writers Make
Don’t make these common grant writing mistakes. Failure to follow the guidelines within the application. Failure to have the proper signatures. Failure to adhere to the formatting guidelines. Failure to submit the grant on time.
Industries That Have Grant Writing Jobs
Grant writers or proposal writers are needed by a variety of nonprofit organizations; some grant proposals are written for local foundations, while others are written for national government bodies such as the United States Department of Education.
1. Education
Education grant writers can write for elementary, middle, or high schools, colleges, and technical schools, with grants for equipment, new staff, or building improvements. One example of an educational grant would be to open a STEM-based school in a community.
2. Environmental
Environmental grant writing jobs will be available through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with the goal of helping to protect the environment. An example of an environmental grant would be to help conserve a wetland. Projects seeking a grant should promote environmental stewardship and awareness.
3. Health
Health grant writing jobs can cover a wide range of projects, with the goal of improving the physical and mental health of individuals in a community. Health grants can come from a variety of sources, including the United States Department of Health.
4. Housing
Housing grant writing jobs help low-income families get the housing they need, whether it’s by building a home, renovating an existing property, or preventing foreclosure. These are usually government-funded grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
5. Homelessness
Homelessness grant writing jobs cover the basic needs of the world’s homeless, such as food, shelter, and personal hygiene items. For example, a homelessness grant could be used to open a warming shelter for homeless people in a particularly cold area.
6. Animal Welfare
A free spay and neuter program, for example, is an example of an animal welfare grant, as is pet education, ensuring safe shelter settings, and preventing overpopulation.
7. Arts and Culture
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in Washington, D.C. is hiring grant writers for art and culture projects.
8. Community Development
A teen center is an example of a community development grant, while a grant to open a Latin dance center, for example, could fall under the categories of arts and culture, community development, or education.
9. Human and Civil Rights
Human and civil rights grants are available to help people in America improve their lives by addressing issues such as disability rights, racial and gender equality, and justice system reform. A mentorship program to reduce youth incarceration is an example of a human and civil right grant.
10. Research and Public Policy
Research grant writing jobs are also very popular, especially for students who want to develop their doctorate thesis. Public policy grants are often funded by private foundations and promote advocacy for specific groups.
11. International aid and Development
Many times, international aid and development grants are used to transport donations to communities in need, such as medical, building, or educational supplies to developing countries; an example would be the transportation and distribution of supplies to a disaster-stricken area.
12. Business
You can specialize in one type of grant writing or go broad as a grant writer; business grants, for example, are in high demand and can cover a variety of topics such as start-ups, women and minority-owned businesses, and necessary venture capital.
How much do grant writers get paid?
A typical grant writer salary is around $48,000 per year, according to Payscale, and $54,000 per year, according to Glassdoor, if you dip your toes into this arena and want to turn it into a full-time career.
Are grant writers in demand?
Grant writing may be the perfect career for you if you enjoy writing, are well-organized, and enjoy working for a good cause. With more than 1.5 million nonprofits and thousands more organizations relying on grants in the United States alone, grant writers are in high demand.
What degree is needed for grant writing?
Grant writers, like other types of writers and authors, typically need a bachelor’s degree to qualify for entry-level jobs. The field of study doesn’t always matter, but useful courses include marketing and English. Some colleges and universities even offer grant writing programs.
How much does a grant writer make per hour?
Grants/Proposal Writer Salary on an Hourly Basis
| Percentile | Hourly Pay Rate | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile Grants/Proposal Writer Salary | $28 | US |
| 25th Percentile Grants/Proposal Writer Salary | $31 | US |
| 50th Percentile Grants/Proposal Writer Salary | $35 | US |
| 75th Percentile Grants/Proposal Writer Salary | $39 | US |
Is Grant Writing stressful?
Grant writing can be stressful! Between the looming deadlines, the neurotic details some funders require, and the constant fear of not having enough funds to pay your staff, even the calmest people in the office can be stressed out by grant writing.
Is it hard to be a grant writer?
Because grant writing is such a daunting activity u2014 especially for small nonprofits whose staff members already wear many hats u2014 it’s all too easy to rush through an application or cut corners, and many simply struggle to produce a highly competitive proposal.
How many hours does it take to write a grant proposal?
Effective Altruism (EA) charities may have an easier time of it because they already keep extensive records. $2,000,000 is considered a small government grant [2]. Freelance grant writers charge $40-$200 per hour, and foundation grants take 15 – 25 hours on average. Government grants can take over 100 hours [1].
What are the 4 types of grants?
There are only four main types of grant funding, and this publication describes and illustrates competitive, formula, continuation, and pass-through grants to help you understand funding structures as you search for potential sources of support.
How do I learn grant writing?
How to Get Started Writing Grants
- Step 1: Assess yourself
- if you’re a natural lyric poet, prepare to use a different side of your brain.
- Step 2: Take a class.
- Step 3: Write your first proposal.
- Step 4: Build your portfolio.
- Step 5: Sharpen your skills.
What skills are needed for grant writing?
A grant writer’s key skills include:
- Excellent written communication skills.
- Excellent research skills.
- Ability to understand the needs of both the funding agency and the organization providing the grant money.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to comprehend and carry out complex instructions.
How long does it take to become a grant writer?
Most entry-level grant writing positions require two years of experience, and the best way to gain experience as a grant writer is to volunteer or intern. Many employers prefer to hire grant writers who have worked in the industry for which they are writing grants.
Can grant writers be paid on commission?
Grant writers cannot be compensated with a percentage or commission of a grant award, according to industry best practices (as well as the guidelines of several nonprofit professional organizations), and no grant writer, whether a full-time employee or a contractor, can guarantee successful grant requests.
How much should I ask for in a grant?
Be realistic about the grant amount you’re requesting u2013 Usually, reading a funder’s guidelines will tell you how much to ask for in a grant application. There may be a range u2013 ask for no less than $500 but no more than $1,000 u2013 or there may be a specific amount the funder wants to give away.