If you work for a non-profit organization, no doubt you've contemplated writing grants to secure state or federal monies to advance your mission. And - there are many professional grant writers out there who can help.
They know how to locate grant opportunities, wade through the piles of regulations, and write a compelling narrative.
BUT - deciding to write a grant is only the start of the process. At the federal level, there are 26 different agencies who offer over 1,000 different grants...and each one has certain requirements that need to be fulfilled.
The non-profit needs to register with the appropriate federal agencies, coordinate grant status with congressional staffers, advise the staff on potential policy impacts of grant acceptance, file financial and progress reports, and complete grant closure paperwork.
Some non-profits are lucky enough to have staff members who take on the demanding role of grant administrator...others hire grant writers to help with the process.
However, many organizations could benefit from the services of a:
- Freelance Grant Wrangler
If you are a technical writer, non-profit staff member looking for consulting work, or just a person with a great eye for detail...."grant wangling" could be for you!
A "grant wrangler" not only writes the grant application, but advises non-profits on all aspects of grant "strategery", files the appropriate applications, ensures all the required paperwork is completed, talks with congressional staffers and provides expert advice on all aspects of the grant process.
Look for non-profit organizations who need help landing government grants - and are willing to pay for your help. If a non-profit needs $5,000 - they need to find a new donor! If they need $150,000 - now, it makes sense to potentially pursue a government grant.
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Alena
http://smallbusinessgrant.info
Posted by: Alena | December 24, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Thank you for your kind comments, Alena. They are appreciated!
Posted by: Jane N-B | December 28, 2009 at 02:23 PM