Is Anyone Here An Experienced Grant Writer?

[mtblujeans]

Is Anyone Here An Experienced Grant Writer? I am curious how someone gets to be "experienced".....do you do volunteer grant writing or do you have a paycheck job grantwriting??

 

[DisMN]

I participated in grant writing for our local free clinic but it was in a group setting.
We all found it very difficult to do because of the nitpicky details and vast amount of information you need to cover in order to make sure you hit all your bases.

It was definitely interesting.......

No one on our team had any training to do grant writing but I can certainly see where having some background or education in that area would be a huge plus!

 

[mtblujeans]

I have taken some grant writing workshops but I am having trouble getting started. I think most people expect a grant writer to be on payroll. I am just curious as to what other people do to get some experience with the process.

Thanks for your input!!

 

[tar heel]

I got my grantwriting experience through staff positions in community relations and fundraising. Are you trying to get contract work or a staff position as a grantwriter? That's hard without experience b/c organizations want to know what successful grants you've written.

If you work for or involved with a nonprofit, try that organization first. If you have children, don't forget to ask at your child's school. You might want to do some research and come up with a grantmaker whose criteria fit the organization. I find that it's the research more than the writing that nonprofits can't find time to do.

Some nonprofits would probably accept a volunteer grantwriter. The one I work for wouldn't unless the person had a good bit of experience b/c grantwriting is too important to the organization to risk someone inexperienced. If you try this route, go to small nonprofits with little staff b/c they will really need the help. You might also ask your United Way for suggestions on agencies that could use your help.

Good luck.

 

[mtblujeans]

Good points! Thank you very much!!

 

[lulu71]

I work in development for a university, specifically responsible for corporate and foundation fundraising. Disclaimer: I don't actually write the grants (we have a writing staff and many faculty members write their own).

Here's my advice: You don't mention whether you want to just do the writing or also the research that is involved, which is a major part of the process and is a skill that I think a grantwriter should have. The foundation center is a really good resource, check their website (http://fdncenter.org/) which should have links to libraries that have their database. Also, spend some time browsing the websites of major national foundations as you can glean lots of information about the foundation world from them---potential clients may look to you for general advice about seeking support from corporations or foundations.

PM me if you want any more info!!

 

[mtblujeans]

I did volunteer to write for a very small non-profit but I could not get them to understand the process and they refused to allow me access to their tax records, etc. to provide them to the foundations in the request for funding.

The explanation given above, that groups want a proven writer to make sure they receive the funding they need, makes sense to me.

I am not sure what to do next, but it seems as though I should try to volunteer to help with research for a group that is writing grants. That might be the only way I can get the experience I am seeking.

The workshops I took very much emphasized public/community assistance as the reason for writing grants.....that is the goal I am seeking. But, while I am still in the "learning process", group grantwriting may be the way to go......

Thanks!!

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by mtblujeans
I did volunteer to write for a very small non-profit but I could not get them to understand the process and they refused to allow me access to their tax records, etc. to provide them to the foundations in the request for funding.

Wow!! I hope they understand that this information is public, and anyone can ask to see it. For the future, you can get copies of an organization's 990 form on the internet. www.grantsmart.com still has them for free, I believe. www.guidestar.com used to be free but now requires a subscription.

PM me if you ever need one.

 

[mtblujeans]

Hmmm....I did not know that!

Thank you so much everybody for all your help! All this information is great!!