If you are the type of person who has the uncanny ability to ask for funds and actually get them, you might be interested in a grant writer job description. While the salary range for grant writers is not high, it is a reasonable amount of money for doing something that you love. Additionally, grant writing is crucial to the success of a non-profit organization, whose longevity is based on earned income, donations and grants.
The Benefits of Having a Grant Writer
A grant writer is required to identify funding sources for either an existing or planned activity for an organization. In most cases, the organization needing the grant is involved in non-profit endeavors. Once these potential funding sources are spotted, the crucial part of the grant writer's job begins. He or she must use his or her most influential writing skills to ask for money. The best grant writers will actually convince the potential funding organization that giving the grant is to their benefit.
The Grant Writer Job Description
While the grant writer job description may vary by organization, some expectations seem to be standard throughout the industry. Here are some of the most typical grant writer job descriptions.
- The grant writer must gain a complete understanding of the program for which he or she is requesting funding. To do this, the writer will interview key people in the organization, and perform comprehensive research into the project
- Perform in-depth research into grant-making organizations
- Write grant applications that display meticulous grammar and spelling
- Analyze the feasibility of the project's budget
- Research each grant-making association's guidelines
- Strictly adhere to these guidelines
- After submitting a grant proposal, keep in contact with each grant-making organization to check on the progress
- If requested, submit progress reports to any grant-making organization that has funded a program
Special Skills and Talents Needed by Grant Writers
Now that you've read the grant writer job description, you might be wondering whether you have the right stuff. The first qualification is obvious. You must be a good writer. However, it goes beyond being good. Here are some of the other talents required.
- Persuasive: You must be able to make your proposal sound so attractive that the grant-making company will be happy to fulfill your request
- Analytical: A grant writer will need to use both analytical and creative skills. First, he or she will analyze the data. How much money can this project potentially receive? Which grant-making organizations would be most likely to fund this project?
- Creativity: The next step involves choosing the most creative solution for presenting the grant proposal. Perhaps the writer can use a visual image, such as a potential ad about the project, with the grant-making company's logo at the bottom of the page. To appeal to the auditory senses, the writer could create a mock-radio announcement that advertises the project and, once again, mentions the grant-making company.
- Problem Solving: Creative problem solving is another talent that characterizes the best grant writers. This is especially important during weak economic times, when grant-making organizations are low on funds, and only the most convincing proposal will win the grant. The grant writer must take a Jedi attitude: "Do or do not. There is no try."
- Oral and Interpersonal Skills: In many cases, the grant writer job description will include face to face or telephone conversation with the grant-making organization. This requires, charm, charisma and a dynamic personality.
- Cost Consciousness: The grant writer must be frugal, and have the ability to work within the proposed budget.
Grant writing can be challenging, but rewarding. If you have the required skills and talents, it can be a satisfying career.
