Pretty much every day, someone asks my opinion about grant writing. I didn’t spend all that much time doing it, but am apparently approachable about the subject. After a fair number of cocktails, I suppose I’m more approachable in general. One this is for sure: For new-on-the-scene idealists, the idea of one person being responsible for a pile of money being deposited into a bank account is a lot to digest.
It doesn’t work the way that most people think it does. Grant writing is more than writing, it’s research, following directions, program development, framing, networking, shaking hands and kissing asses. The most well written grant in the world won’t win unless the program or research project is good, or the organization has a perfect reputation.
But people always want grant writers to write on commission. This infuriates me, on a number of levels, as it would any self-respecting writer. I don’t work for free. My words actually have finite value, and whether you ultimately win the grant or not, I have spent time writing them.
Here are some of my favorite grant-related questions:
1) Will you write a grant for me?
Maybe. Depends on how much I like you, your program, and how ready you are for the money. I have written grants for free, for cookies, for money…it all depends. But it’s a choice.
2) I can’t afford to pay a grant writer. Why can’t I use grant money once won to pay the grant writer?
If you can’t afford a grant writer as a full time employee or consultant, you shouldn’t have one. Very few foundations say “Here’s a check. Have fun!” They want reports, they want to check-in, they want to come for a visit; if you are struggling with the grant writing process, you need to assess your organizational capacity. (Blue avocado has a much less bitchy take on when to and when not to hire a grant writer)
There are many writers (maybe not trained grant writers) who will volunteer to write a grant for you. Grant writing can also fall on program staff, the Board of Directors, or the Executive Director.
The important thing to remember is: the grant writer does not necessarily control the process. Funds are distributed based on the merits of the program, not the merits of the writing.
3) My grant writer failed. Why do I have to pay her?
You have to pay her if she produced what you asked for. If she gave you a recipe for grape nut salad instead of a proposal for a reading program, send her on her way. If she produced a cohesive proposal for funding, she did her job.
4) Why do grant writers charge so much if they aren’t in control of the process?
Usually, because they have connections, a reputation or a particular area of expertise. You might a pay for someone who has a particular track record with New York City family foundations because they will know exactly what the funders are looking for, and put you in a better position. Some grant writers are also knowledgeable about program development (like me!) and can help you build or revamp a program to make it more viable for funding. That is slightly different from traditional grant writing, and thus comes at a cost.
This post was sparked by a number of discussions on YNPN (SFBay) and blueavocado today. Please check them out!
