How to Start a Grant Writing Business 1-2-3
How to Become a Grant Writer
School programs, community services, nonprofits and
other projects require funds to stay operational. Grant writers can help these organizations get the
financing they need.
A degree is not required to become a grant writer. However, you should have decent writing abilities in
order to compete in the marketplace. Complete a grant writing class, gain some experience and learn the basics
of entrepreneurship, and you are ready to launch a grant writing business.
Grant writers of course write grants, but they also provide their customers with the knowledge of knowing
where the funding resources are. Networking is essential, and the more people and resources you know, the
better you can assist your clients.
Your state may have a publication that lists grant funders. See if you can get a hold of it. You can also
use your local library and the internet to located funding resources.
While the grant application procedure is going on, stay organized. For example, set up a filing system to
keep correspondence, contact information and tasks that apply to your grant writing project.
When you start compiling your grant proposal, there will be instructions set forth by the grant resource.
Pay attention to these instructions and answer any applicable questions. Make sure that your writing stays
to-the-point, providing all of the necessary information while staying brief. Request funds for a specific
project instead of being general. Include a table of contents for easier reading.
Build a portfolio of the work you have completed for past clients. The more success you have had, the more
clients will want to hire you. Grant writers can receive payment by the hour or up front for each grant writing
project. As you start your business, you may want to focus more on building a portfolio of successful grant
writing projects rather than charging a higher rate.
Entrepreneur Magazine is known to helping entrepreneurs launch businesses. They have a comprehensive
guide specifically for grant writers on how to research, prepare and submit winning grants as well as finding
and maintaining clientele and grant projects.
Find out how to:
Identify grants and contact funding sources- Write proposals persuasivaley so you can obtain financing
- Put together a complete grant proposal with using instructions and samples
- How to promote your business for less than $100
Also includes a comprehensive resources listing, a four-stage guide to writing funding proposals plus
insider tips and techniques.
Start a Grant Writing Business
Checklist for Starting a Grant Writing Business
- Get educated and complete a grant writing course. You can learn from home or complete coursework
online inexpensively with A to Z Grant Writing
or
the Grant Writing 101 Crash Course.
- Decide on a name for your grant writing company. Register your business name with your
city or county clerk.
- Get a tax ID number from the IRS and open a
business bank account to keep your personal and business finances separate.
- Get a business license at your
local government office. Requirements vary by city and state, so check with your local office.
- Meet with a tax accountant to set up an accounting system and discuss tax deductions. If you decide to
do your own business bookkeeping, pick up some business accounting software like Quickbooks Pro.
- Get a business phone line.
Whether you use a landline, VoIP or cellular service, keep your business professional, and you'll gain
respect from customers and easily attract more business. Sometimes getting a toll-free phone number can make a big difference
in the impression you make on potential customers. Save money also with an online fax number.
- Order business cards and other
promotional materials you'll need for your business like brochures or postcards. Hand them out to people
you know and include them in all correspondence. Business cards work well as cheap advertising. See also:
Design your own logo
- Set up a website where you can display
your services, rates and testimonials from your customers. These days, you can easily get a website that
you can set up yourself and operate for under $100/year. Display your website on your business cards, stationary, brochures, press
releases and ads to take full advantage of this cost-effective resource. If done right, your website can
truly sell for you 24-7.
- Join your local Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations in your community to network with
business professionals and get the word out about your business. You never know where your next client can
come from, and being a part of groups like this can be a great resource for referrals.
- Write a brief press release to your local newspaper announcing the opening of your grant writing
business and mention a "grand opening special" or discount for first-time customers. This can get you free
advertising in the paper instead of having to pay for an ad.
 T I P : Writing Effective Grant
Proposals
This online course shows you not only how to write grant proposals that receive funding - but
how to find the grants that are available. This is great time-saving knowledge that you can put
to use again and again for each of your clients.
Course is taught by Fundraising Expert Jillian Poole, who has
years of hands-on fundraising experience and has taught others to do the same for over 16
years!
|
Finding Grant Writing Jobs & Customers
Whether you want to find customers or do freelance work as an independent contractor, online job sites can
be a good way to find work and clients.
Why? Some companies looking to hire may be open to outsource to an independent
contractor because they don't have to incur hiring fees. You can also set up a partnership where you pay them a
referral fee for any customers they send you. See also: Freelance Job Sites: Find grant
writing freelance jobs online.
Grant Writing Business Resources:
Writing Associations
American Grant Writers' Association
American Grant Writers' Association's mission is to enhance the community of grantseekers' professional
standards and ethical practices through education, certification, networking and professional growth.
Association of Writers and Writing Programs
The mission of The Association of Writers & Writing Programs is to foster literary
talent and achievement, to advance the art of writing as essential to a good education and to serve the makers,
teachers, students and readers of contemporary literature.
International Writing Centers Association
The International Writing Centers Association, a National Council of Teachers of English affiliate founded in
1983, fosters the development of writing center directors, tutors, and staff by sponsoring meetings,
publications, and other professional activities; by encouraging scholarship connected to writing center-related
fields; and by providing an international forum for writing center concerns.
