By and large, many people need grant money. Whether it’s a college senior seeking grant money for their Master’s, a principal seeking more funds for their school, or a non-profit looking to start a new program, this person will have to formally ask for a grant. This is where a grant writer can come in.
Grant writing has been in high demand simply because there will always be a demand for money. Given that this job can be done virtually, there’s no reason for you to not become a grant writer!
Looking at Basic Qualifications
First of all, you need to be a great writer. It’s evident that no one would want to hire a grant writer who can’t write. That’s why many companies and individuals seek grant writers with at least a Bachelor’s in English.
If successful, you can make a pretty penny. According to PayScale, grant writers make on average $44,000 annually. Specifically, pay ranges from as low as $29,968 to as high as $73,925. Additionally, experience is a key factor in determining salaries.
Now, grant writers can work for one company or they can consider doing freelance work. This way, they can leverage working for multiple companies to their advantage. But because grant writers play an imperative role in keeping a company afloat, many seek long-term contracts.
In an event, communication plays a key role. A grant writer must listen intently about what the company needs, how it intends to use the money, and how to communicate all of this to those granting money.
Getting Started As a Grant Writer
Our resident Sr. Grant Writer, Valentina Steiner, gives some advice. She would tell grant writing hopefuls to have passion and be prepared for a lot of rejection. If you believe you have that passion and resilience, then now is the time to consider getting experience if you have none.
Consider volunteering at a non-profit. Offer your time and make connections throughout the company. During this time, you can work on writing mock grant proposals for this non-profit. When speaking to someone in power, mention that you’re interested in grant writing. This would be a good time to have your mock grant proposals written and ready to send.
Networking with Other Grant Writers
Regardless of any field or work that you do, networking is key to getting ahead. If you are someone that is trying to get their foot in the door, it’s always a good idea to research companies that you’d like to work for and reach out to the grant writers that are there. Ask them a few questions about how they got their start and what their experience was like.
Essays