How to be a Successful
Home-Based Grant Writer
By: Lorraine Warner
Whenever I read an article on the grant writing profession, one line always seems to follow…“a great job for stay-at-home moms!”
For me that has certainly been the case. And now with many organizations lacking the extra desk space and computers needed for additional personnel, a home-based grant writer can be the perfect job for a stay-at-home mom.
I am often asked how I got started writing grants, and what makes a successful home- based grant writer. Certainly a background in fundraising, public relations, or marketing is helpful to start. But experience in a wide-range of professions, including social services, health or education, can be just as useful.
If you are organized, articulate, conscientious and passionate, you can definitely be a successful home-based grant writer!
But what, exactly, is grant writing? Many not-for-profit organizations rely on grant writers to help them draft proposals to private funders (most often, Foundations) and government entities in an effort to obtain funding for their particular program or project. The profession of grant writing is considered a “specialty” all its own within the larger profession often referred to as “Development”, “Fund Development”, “Fundraising” or, in institutions of higher learning, “Resource Development” or “Advancement.” Successful grant writing often makes the crucial difference as to how much good a nonprofit organization, can, or can not, do to help those in need.
Grant writing often plays a key role in funding for many not-for-profit organizations, but a successful grant writer needs to be more than just “a good writer.” Successful grant writers must seek out those funding streams that are most likely a “best match” for an organization through diligent online and telephone research (perfect for a work-at-home mom!) Often times an organization will rely on its grant writer to help guide them through the entire grant submission process from start to finish.
For me, being passionate about an organization and its mission is also key. Writing skills are one thing, but if you are truly able to “get behind” the mission of an organization it definitely will show through in your writing.
Find out how to get started as a work at home grant writer.
Once you’re ready, search for clients or your new employer if you want to work as a staff grant writer. Websites like Jobsformoms.com may offer instant access to grant writing and other types of work at home jobs, or you can conduct your own search online or in your own local community.
How to market yourself. Emphasize your experience in grant writing, or if you lack in experience, emphasize your “transferable skills.” What can you bring to the table? Perhaps you have experience in education, which would be extremely helpful to a school looking to raise funds for programming, for example. Or if the majority of your experience is as a stay-at-home mom, who better to help with grants for children’s organizations?
Mention any training or volunteer grant writing you’ve done. Any experience -- even if it was helping to write a grant for the local library -- should be mentioned.
Look for small organizations to start. Larger organizations (like universities, hospitals, etc.) tend to look for full-time staff that can work on-site. Target smaller organizations (or those in a predominately rural area) and mention the many benefits of hiring a home-based grant writer. (No need for them to worry about desk space or that extra computer!)
Be willing to work for a lower hourly rate, to start. Grant writers average anywhere from $15 - $20 to upwards of $50/hour, depending on experience. Compensation can also be “per grant,” which means the grant writer is paid for every grant they work on (start to finish) regardless of the hours spent. Be willing to trade experience for a lower rate (either hourly or per grant) to start. And don’t be afraid to discuss the possibility of a higher rate once a steady funding stream is established for the organization.
CAUTION! Be wary of organizations that offer to pay “on commission,” or once a grant is received. It is important that you are paid for the time you spend completing research and writing tasks on an agreed upon, regular schedule -- regardless of whether a grant application is ultimately funded. If a small organization lacks the budget to pay you on time for work completed, consider volunteering instead.
For more on the ethics of “percentage based” grant writing, I encourage you to visit the Association of Fundraising Professional’s website at http://www.nsfre.org/ethics.
Remember -- there are many worthwhile organizations all around the country doing good work, and grant writing can be a great job for stay-at-home moms looking to get involved. Of course, a high-speed internet connection and carving out the time to work at home are essentials. But if you are organized, articulate and passionate, I would definitely encourage you to give home-based grant writing a try!
Lorraine Warner has worked in the fundraising field over 15 years. Since 1996 she has worked as an independent “home based” prospect researcher and grant writer, helping to raise money for numerous not-for-profit organizations in the areas of youthdevelopment, aging, arts & culture and social services. Lorraine is also a successful “mom entrepreneur,” and is working to bring her first, patent-pending baby care product to market. You can visit Lorraine's website at: http://www.babyowencompany.com
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