User:SydneyL23/Grant writing

Background
Before the process of grant writing can begin, a funder and specific grant must be located. Grant funders include the federal government, state and local governments, foundations, corporations, individuals. In the United States, the two primary sources of funds are government grants and foundation grants. Grants available through the federal government are posted to Grants.gov. Foundations can be broken down into several categories: community foundations (they often consist of several or many individual funds, each directed by a separate governing body), federated funds private foundations, and family foundations.

All grant-giving organizations are interested in funding different types of grants, which are often posted online through a request for proposals/applications (commonly referred to as an RFP). The RFP specifies the nature and cost of the program that must be proposed. These documents are issued by a public or private funding agency, inviting qualified organizations or individuals to submit a proposal for a specific funding opportunity. The requests for proposals typically include guidelines, due dates, and more required information that are essential for the grant writer to know as they write the proposal.

Career
Grants, and by extension grant writers, have been needed as long as universities, research, partnerships, programs, and small businesses have existed. However, grant proposals have traditionally been written by one of the people who will carry out the grant's objectives if it is funded. It is only in the last 20 years that grant writing has emerged as its own career and discipline. A bachelor's degree is required for most positions. Specific classes and programs in grant writing have been created, though many grant writers still learn through on the job experience. Some grant writers are self employed, and charge either an hourly wage or a flat fee per grant.