Grants research, writing, and submission are a key piece of every nonprofit organization’s fundraising plan. In hard economic times, hiring an outside grant writer seems impractical for cash strapped organizations. In order to save money grant writing is added to the duties of already overburdened Executive and Program Directors.
For key staff however, a bigger challenge than money is – Time! Grant writing is easily pushed to the back-burner in the face of daily client and organizational issues that need to be addressed. Add to that the large amounts time required to network in the community, build partnerships, and advocate for an organization; the less immediate payoff of grant writing moves to the bottom of the priority list.
The result:
- Your organization loses out on potentially huge monetary payoffs, and valuable relationships with corporate and foundation funders.
- Hiring an external grant writer has real advantages for even the tightest budgets.
Cost:
- A grant writing consultant – $30,000 / year
- An experience development officer – $75,000 / year
- Dedicating time of a senior staff member – limitless…
Saves time:
- Grant research, planning, and writing is extremely time intensive
- Grant writing consultants require little to no supervision
Someone is always looking out for you:
- Finding grants is a full-time occupation for grant writers
- Once you have become their client, they will always be looking for opportunities for your organization.
Reduces turnover cost:
- Entry level development professionals are likely to move on in a few years, taking their training and knowledge with them
- Grant writing consultants cultivate client relationships that last decades
The payoff:
- Grant writing consultants stake their livelihood and their reputations on your success
Implementing a grant writing program is not for the faint of heart. Patience and commitment to the process are required to reach the payoff. New grant writers will have a learning curve before they know your organization well enough to write an A++ proposal. Choose your grant writer carefully; you’ll want to keep them around. It may take several months to a year before the grants start rolling in.
