How Do I Become a Grant Writer?

Many non-profit organizations, as well as larger professional organizations, may require the services of a grant writer, who will research and write grant proposals that will secure funding for that organization. If you want to become a grant writer, you will need to first develop superior writing and research skills, as a successful writer will be able to write an impeccable grant that will give clear answers to the readers that will award the money. In most cases, the writer will need to have a higher education degree, such as a bachelor's degree, in a writing or writing-intensive field.

If you are confident that you have the writing and research skills to become a grant writer, you should begin honing your skills specifically within the realm of grant writing by learning the common terminology and processes associated with writing grants and acquiring grant money. A great place to start is by volunteering your time at a local non-profit organization; you may be able to work with other grant writers who can give you tips and advice on how to write a successful grant. You should not expect to get paid for these volunteer grant writing opportunities at first, but as you gain more experience, you may begin charging for your services.

After you have worked on several grants and can include those grants on your resumé, you may want to consider advertising yourself as a freelance grant writer. Research the average rates, and be sure your rates are flexible and competitive. You are more likely to get grant writer jobs if you have more experience, so when you are just starting out, you may want to consider starting at the lower end of the pay scale. Be sure to adjust your rates accordingly as you gain experience to stay competitive and to avoid being known as the writer who will work for pennies.

Many businesses and professional organizations may hire in-house grant writer candidates to work full-time for that company. If the job security interests you, consider applying for such a position, but remember that businesses are usually looking for seasoned grant writers with proven results. You may need to do some freelance work for several years to build your resumé before a business will consider hiring you, and you may even need to volunteer your services to build your resumé. Try to take advantage of any opportunities that come along, even if they don't pay well or at all, to gain experience.