What Does a Grant Writer Do?
Grant Writers generally work for nonprofit organizations as part of the development department to raise money for the organization’s mission. They search for available grants and research their requirements to find opportunities that align with their organization’s mission. Before applying for a grant, Grant Writers communicate with company leadership to confirm that they are interested in collaborating with the foundation or company offering the grant. After the research phase, Grant Writers prepare several drafts using persuasive language and facts about their organization to explain why they should receive funding and how they would use the money.
Grant Writer Skills and Qualifications
A Grant Writer candidate should have various skills and qualifications in order to be successful in their job. Outline the educational qualifications and certifications your organization requires for the position. You may also include non-technical skills and specific personality traits you desire to have in a successful candidate.
Here are some examples of Grant Writer skills and qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, creative writing or a related area (master’s degree preferred)
- A minimum of two years experience in grant writing
- Excellent knowledge of proposal submission and fundraising process
- Ability to study and understand programs and funding requirements of the organization
- Strong research skills and knowledge of information sources
- Multitasking, organizational and time management skills
- Ability to handle confidential matters with utmost integrity
- Working knowledge of computers
Grant Writer Salary Expectations
A Grant Writer receives an average salary of $42,961 per year. Indeed has estimated this figure based on the salary information of several hundred Grant Writers and job advertisements published on Indeed during the past three years. Typically, a Grant Writer works for an average tenure of less than a year.
Grant Writer Education and Training Requirements
A Grant Writer should at least have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in areas such as communications, journalism, creative writing, marketing, etc. Some organizations look for a master’s degree, especially if the position involves writing proposals for large donors and international organizations. Some educational institutions also offer certifications, programs and workshops in grant writing, but most of the Grant Writers develop their skills through online resources, practice and on-the-job training.
Grant Writer Experience Requirements
An entry-level Grant Writer position may not require any experience, but it is always helpful to hire candidates with one or two years of experience in grant writing. For a senior level position, you may want to hire candidates with a higher level of experience. Other than specific experience in grant writing, candidates with a background in areas such as fundraising, mass communications and public relations tend to excel in this position. Many experienced Grant Writers prefer to telecommute or work on a contractual basis.
Job Description Samples for Similar Positions
If a Grant Writer job description is not exactly what you are looking for, here are some other job description templates for closely related positions: