Zippia reports that beginning grant writer salaries start at approximately $38,000/year with the median grant writer salary of U.S. grant writers being $52,719. While $38,000 is the average starting salary in the range, it is important to consider other factors when deciding how much a grant writer salary should be at your nonprofit. Find out what is included in their fee, how long the project will take, and if revisions are part of the price. However, one downside is that some freelancers may not offer full support, like editing or research help.
Type and complexity of the grant
The cost to hire expert writers typically ranges from $100 to $250 per hour, but this investment can lead to significant funding opportunities for your nonprofit. Additionally, retainer agreements for ongoing support range from $1,500 to $3,000 monthly, fostering strong relationships that enhance your nonprofit’s internal grant writing capabilities. While traversing the complexities of grant writing costs, you’ll find that the services included can considerably impact your budget and success rate. Retainer agreements, costing $1,500 to $3,000 monthly, provide consistent support for nonprofit organizations seeking grant funding. So if you are a freelance grant writer who mainly writes federal grants, you might be charging $7-$10K per month on your retainers. Continuously review and adjust your pricing as your business grows and the market evolves.
Nonprofit Consulting
The story must successfully guide the audience from beginning to end, keeping them engaged throughout with the right content. It is a team effort and we normally allow a minimum of three weeks to complete an application. Grant funding is typically paid in arrears after a project has started. For example, Innovate UK typically pays grant funding after a project report has been submitted and approved at the end of each project quarter.
If you are an established firm with some experience in this arena and have some close-knitted funders then you can afford to go with a beginner or intermediate. Next, you will have to take a look at the type of project you are envisioning to execute. This involves evaluating if your firm is structurally and fiscally sound, which plays a pivotal role because funders usually evaluate the ability of a firm to execute what it is proposing. Then, you need to perform a grant-readiness self-assessment before paying a consultant to write a grant. When a client gave her a grant project, they knew she would deliver a high-quality product on time with minimal effort needed on their part. Where she might spend 4 hours on a grant, someone less experienced on staff might need 15 or more hours to sort through it all!
These variables make a big difference in the actual experience and success of the grant writers you may be meeting. In addition to lending a hand at a specific nonprofit, join your regional professional fundraisers organization or local nonprofit employee organization. Any professional organization along those lines that meets regularly is a good place for you to meet other people in the industry and eventually shop your services.
Grant Professional Certified (GPC)
Another factor that can impact the cost of hiring a grant writer is the complexity of the grant application. Grants that require extensive research, multiple rounds of revisions, or a particularly detailed proposal may require more time and effort from the grant writer, which can drive up the cost. Investing in professional grant writing services not only boosts your chances of securing funding but also equips your organization with invaluable skills for future applications.
Retainer and Monthly Pricing Options
Conversely, less experienced writers may offer lower rates of $25 to $75 per hour but may lack the depth of experience needed to navigate complex grant applications effectively. Grant writing fees can vary based on the complexity of the grant application, the experience and expertise of the grant writer, and the time required to complete the project. Additional factors may include the type of nonprofit organization and the level of research involved.
Each structure offers unique advantages based on an organization’s needs and budget constraints. A nonprofit can make better budget decisions for grant writing services by knowing these payment models. The reason behind these values is that some grant proposals require in-depth technical knowledge while others may require people management experience or good relations with authorities. For example – The departments of Defense, Energy, and Commerce need expertise in those subject matters to complete it successfully.
Although less common, some grant writers tie their fee to the success of the grant application. However, it can be risky because many factors affect the outcome of grant proposals. The cost of hiring a grant writer can range from $1,000 to $8,000 or more for a single grant proposal, depending on the project's complexity and the writer's experience.
- Organizations know exactly what they’ll pay whatever time the work takes.
- You should budget hours for most grants, but the needs and requirements are different for every grant.
- Payment structures often involve flat fees, typically requiring 50% upfront.
- The profiles of independent grant writers listed on these platforms have detailed cost structures varying with the type of projects they undertake.
- Full-time workers have stable pay and benefits, while freelancers have more freedom and income potential.
The rates for grant writers vary greatly; beginner writers charge $20-35/hour, while expert writers can demand $75-200/hour. Grant writer fees typically include an hourly rate ranging from $25 to $250, or flat fees for projects, commonly split as 50% upfront and 50% upon completion. But even if you are new to grant writing, you can still charge for your work! You might think that you should write your first grants as a volunteer or intern, but usually, this is just a confidence issue. With fixed-fee pricing, you charge a single, predetermined price for the entire grant writing project, regardless of the actual time it takes. This is one of the most common grant writing pricing models because it provides cost certainty for the client.
Flat Fee:
- Open talent platforms put you in touch with various freelance grant writers, making this whole process very cost-effective and reliable.
- For example, a grant writer working in New York City will have a wildly different salary than a grant writer working in a smaller market.
- Perhaps the most important thing to look for is to identify a candidate who will adhere to industry best practice and always take into account ethical considerations of grant writing and management.
- Grant writer fees typically include an hourly rate ranging from $25 to $250, or flat fees for projects, commonly split as 50% upfront and 50% upon completion.
We stick around after the award to help you manage your grant properly and navigate the reimbursement process. Think of us as your grant fairy godmother, minus the pumpkin carriage (though I do have a lovely collection of red lipstick). If you bill hourly, the article also covers the rates you should charge based on your experience and track record. When evaluating grant writing costs, organizations should consider the overall value and potential return on grant writing fees investment.
Their proven success and specialized skills justify their rates, especially for competitive grants where winning matters most. Grant writers with 3-5 years of experience usually charge $50-$100 per hour. Those with 6-8 grants charge around $60 per hour, while writers with 8-10 grants often earn $75 hourly. They create various documents like full proposals, letters of intent, and application templates that fit different opportunities. Writing a grant application is not too dissimilar to writing a short novel.