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Getting Started as a
Work at Home Grant Writer

By Lorraine Warner and JobsForMoms.com

There are many useful resources for stay-at-home moms who want to learn more about grant writing, and how to get started. Grant writers can earn up to $50 an hour depending on their experience and success rate. The work is pleasant, can be done from home, can be done working flex hours while children are busy or resting, requires no special equipment or investment, and involves skills that most moms have and enjoy using, such as internet surfing and writing.

The Foundation Center is an invaluable tool for novice and veteran grant writers alike. Click on their “Gain Knowledge” tab to see the wealth of resources available -- from books on proposal writing, to online and classroom training courses.

You can also sign up for a free newsletter through the Foundation Center’s website – stay-at-home moms will appreciate the convenience of a newsletter delivered right to their inbox! The Foundation Center is definitely a valuable resource for stay-at-home moms on the path to professional grant writing.

“Is there another way I can get started with a
work at home job or home business as a grant writer?"

Yes! Stay-at-home moms can seek out small organizations in their own community and volunteer to help write a grant, or mentor with someone in the organization who is already filling that role. Local libraries or community organizations are perfect places to start. The time you spend learning the process -- and perhaps drafting a few grants yourself -- will help build the knowledge base and experience you will need to start to working on your own.

You can also look to mentor with a professional grant writer who may be willing to “take you under their wing.”

“How do I find clients? And what should I charge them?

Persistence! There are several freelance websites that list contract jobs from several sources. JobsForMoms.com also often publishes job listings of organizations that are interested in hiring a work at home grant writer.

Many organizations will want to see that you have at least some grant writing experience, but if you don’t you can use these tips to get your application noticed:

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.

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. Contact her at: Lorraine@babyowencompany.com

More Information on JobsForMoms.com

Getting Started as a Work at Home Grant Writer

“Is there another way I can get started with a work at home job or home business as a grant writer?"

Getting Started as a
Work at Home Grant Writer

“Is there another way I can get started with a
work at home job or home business as a grant writer?"