How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Grant Writer?

When you hire a grant writer, the first logical question is, “How much will it cost?” It is only natural to to worry about the price tag involved with hiring a professional grant writer since many of us see grant writing through a fog of confusion. This key question determines how you will approach the process of winning the grants you seek. Just remember that you cannot spend any grant money you earn on to pay the grant writer. You must pay for a writer in advance before you turn in your proposal. Want to learn more? GrantWatch has the break down on how much it costs to hire a grant writer.

The cost of hiring a grant writer depends upon several factors. First, you have to decide what type of grant to apply for. To do that, you need to clearly define why your organization needs funding. Are you an entrepreneur with a startup that needs capital? Or perhaps, your nonprofit needs to improve your facility? A host of Nonprofits, Businesses, and Individuals are eligible to apply for grant funding but lack to resources to write the application. This is where your grant writer comes in. A grant writer’s knowledge and experience play a huge role in helping you accomplish your goal. Veteran grant writers know the process. They know how to find funders, how to research, and what documentation is needed. This will help assure proper consideration when you submit your grant for funding.

The Average Rates for a Grant Writer

Grant writers also set their own fees and usually start at about $40 an hour. The minimum cost comes out to around $500 in total. However, the total overall average cost for a grant proposal of 5 to 8 pages of narrative text is about $1,500. Of course, this can be higher or lower depending on the work needed.

Beginner Grant Writers:

• 1. Grant writers who have won fewer than 3 grants: roughly $20 – $35 per hour.

Intermediate Grant Writers:

• 2. Grant writers who have recently won 4 – 5 grants: roughly $40 – $50 per hour.
• 3. Grant writers who have recently won 6 – 8 grants: roughly $60 per hour.
• 4. Grant writers who have recently won 8 – 10 grants: roughly $75 per hour.

Advanced Grant Writers:

• 5. Grant writers who have won 10+ grants: from $75 up to $125 per hour.
• 6. Expert grant writers with 10+ years experience of winning a substantial number of grants: up to $200 per hour.

***Please note, these prices are only a general guideline and grant are not guaranteed.***

So, if a grant writer charges $50 per hour and approximately 10 hours are needed to write the grant, their bid estimate would be $500.

Remember, there is no guarantee that you’ll win a grant, regardless of the amount of experience a grant writer has and no matter how well the proposal may be written. Furthermore, it is important to note that these prices are guidelines only.

Each grant writer sets their own rates. Rates can vary depending on a variety of factors, especially with regard to the type of work required. Whenever you hire a grant writer, it’s important to have the overall cost quoted upfront – in writing – to avoid surprises later.

How Many Hours Are Required?

In addition to writing grants, grant writers can be hired for a wide range of other services including, but not limited to::

• Consulting for businesses, foundations, corporations and government agencies.
• Locating contract and funding opportunities.
• Securing funds for projects, programs or services.
• Developing curricula, mission statements and needs statements.
• Writing LOIs and budget proposals.

Since grant writers work at an hourly rate, you will probably want to know in advance how many hours will be needed. Unfortunately, the cost of writing a grant can vary drastically and so can the required amount of writing. You need to contact a grant writer directly to obtain an accurate quote.

Often, estimates of the time it takes to prepare a federal government grant proposal will be included as part of the request for proposal (RFP). A reasonable amount of time to write these government grants is 60 hours. Subsequently, this does not include the planning and additional documentation needed. It is best to start early when submitting this kind of grant proposal.

Foundation grants are generally simpler and smaller. Often they can be submitted directly online. The grant proposal may be as short as five pages. You should budget 20-40 hours for most grants, but the needs and requirements are different for every grant.

How Much is Too Much?

When grant writers set their flat rate, the budgeted amount of that fee should not be more than 5% of the grant award. Fees are not commission-based; it’s just good business sense, for both the organization and the grant writer. For example, if a client is looking to apply for a grant of $100,000, an experienced grant writer’s fee should not exceed $5,000. Typically, as a rule of thumb, grant writer fees are usually 2-3% of the total grant award.

If you win the grant, you can not use the money to pay the grant writer. Grant writers should not work on a contingency basis or a ‘success fee.’ Not only is this unethical, but it also violates state, federal and foundation funding guidelines. If a funder discovers the grant writer was paid a percentage of the grant award, at the very least you’ll likely lose the grant. At worst, there could be legal consequences as well.

GrantWriterTeam

If you are a nonprofit or small business in need of grant funding, you may need a grant writer. If you are searching for grants but are feeling overwhelmed, hiring a grant writer may be the perfect option for your cause. GrantWriterTeam can connect you with experienced grant writers. Visit the site today!

About GrantWatch

With over 8,500 grants currently available, GrantWatch.com is the leading grant listing directory. Upgrade to a MemberPlus+ subscription to view the full grant details, including eligibility criteria and application information. For more information, you can also visit the GrantWatch FAQ page. To see the great value of all 20 of the top GrantWatch features, click here. Watch the latest episode of GrantTalk, powered by GrantWatch, with host Libby Hikind. You don’t want to miss this. Visit us on YouTube weekly. Get your copy of The Queen of Grants: From Teacher to Grant Writer to CEO, by Libby Hikind.