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A grant writer, or grant proposal writer, researches, drafts, and submits proposals that help organizations or in individuals receive grant funding.

Characteristics
A grant writer has many duties that involve researching and writing grant proposals for the of a corporation, nonprofit organization, or government agency. Because this person must have a broad knowledge of what the business or organization provides, he or she must understand the program, its financial details, and where to find appropriate funding. Due to the knowledge base required, he or she may choose to specialize in a particular field, such as educational grant writing or medical grant writing. To be eligible for funding, an organization or individual must have an objective that aligns with a grant’s specifications. Many grant writers work for nonprofit or charitable organizations. Others are self-employed and take on projects from a variety of sources, such as museums and schools. No matter whom they work for, most of these writers research grants, write proposals, and have other tasks.

Skills
Grant writers usually have a range of skills, a college degree, and other training or experience. Research and writing skills are essential for grant writers. Research helps writers find grant opportunities. Good writing expresses ideas clearly and succinctly, with creativity and persuasiveness helping a proposal stand out.

Interpersonal skills are important, too, because grant writers interact with clients, colleagues, and donors to gather and relay information.

Grant writers also need to be detail oriented and have multitasking and organizational skills. These skills allow them to juggle multiple grant applications and adhere to each grant’s guidelines and deadlines.

Education and Training
Grant writers, like other types of writers and authors, typically need a bachelor’s degree to qualify for entry-level jobs. Often, the field of study doesn’t matter, but helpful courses include marketing and English. Some colleges and universities offer programs specifically in grant writing. Classes and workshops are also available through community colleges and professional associations. But many grant writers learn from online resources, books, and on-the-job training. And years of practice help them develop the skills for writing successful grant proposals.

Experience
Experience in a related occupation is generally not required for entry-level grant writing jobs, but it can be helpful to have. For example, many grant writers start out in another role in an organization before transitioning to grant writing. A background in communications, fundraising, or budgeting is valuable.

Experienced grant writers also might opt to earn certification, which demonstrates a level of proficiency and could improve their employment options.

Research
To find available funding, grant writers identify grants that match the objective of the organization or individual seeking money. They often scour detailed lists, databases, and donor websites. Part of researching grants is determining which ones are not worth pursuing.

Writing Proposals
Grant proposals often require a variety of documents, such as a cover letter, project narrative, and supporting information, which might include things like letters of endorsement from members of the community. Through these documents, grant writers explain why a cause is important and how the funds will be used. For example, grant writers might describe the past, present, and planned activities of the grant-seeking individual or organization. In drafting the proposal, writers must follow the grant’s guidelines, such as ensuring that the organization meets eligibility requirements, and provide a budget that outlines how the grant money would be spent. Incorporating all of these elements into a successful proposal takes time and expertise—especially when there are hundreds, sometimes thousands, of organizations competing for the same funds.

Other Tasks
Grant writers’ other tasks may include responding to funders’ questions about a proposal, developing relationships with prospective donors, and documenting a grant’s impact at the conclusion of a project.

Job Outlook
The annual salary for someone with the job title Grants/Proposal Writer may vary depending on a number of factors including industry, company size, location, years of experience and level of education. The median expected annual pay for a typical Grants/Proposal Writer in the United States is $62,373.