Bring in a variety of new ideas and styles by working with grant writing companies. A grant consultant can help you to bring in additional sources of funding by providing services that range from reviewing your grants before you submit them to managing your entire fundraising project. A consultant grant writing team can help to bring your company greater profitability by conducting research and finding grant opportunities.

Let grant writer consultants write and submit your grants if you don't have in-house staff trained in grant writing. Grant writing firms can recommend programs that utilize the latest technology to find important funding sources that keep your business competitive. Find a variety of ways to begin making the most of grant writing consultants.

1. Use grant writing businesses to assess your own grant writing skills at the final stage before submission.

2. Look for grant writing experts to improve profits by tapping into new funding sources.

3. Bring in grant writing specialists to execute all your grant proposals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use grant writing companies for final revisions

Request a review of your current grant applications so that you have a better chance of landing the funds you're seeking. Submit completed drafts of your grant applications to consultants for review; the consultants will suggest or make appropriate changes, depending on your arrangement.

I recommend: Grant Strategies provides consultants for a number of industries, including non-profits, governments, schools and businesses. Golden Rule Grant Consultants is a grant writing consulting firm that specializes in services for the public safety sector, healthcare organizations and schools.

Locate prospects with grant writer consultants

A grant writer consultant can look beyond your usual operations to see where you may be missing profitable opportunities and find better ways to approach the funding groups. A grant consultant can introduce you to funding sources that they know about and with whom they have developed good relationships to help you set up more profitable grant applications.

I recommend: Nonprofit groups usually don't have the resources to spend researching funding opportunities, so the services of a group like SP Consultants can be of great help in finding grants. If you need help determining where to apply for grants, especially if you are a profit-making business looking for funding, utilize the services of a business grant writing consulting firm such as Resource Associates Grant Writing & Evaluation Services.

Contract for continued services with grant writing businesses

You may reduce some of your costs by outsourcing some or all of your grant production to grant writing experts. They can set up new tracking systems and manage the delivery and follow-up required for your programs. On the other hand, you may just need to keep the grant consultant on retainer to have someone who knows your business and to whom your in-house grant writers can go with questions as they arise.

I recommend: When you must be assured of results from your grant writing efforts, you'll want to look for an established company such as Seliger + Associates. If you don't need a full-time grant writer, consider contracting with an outside service like The Write Source for grant writing services that can help you gain important funding for your organization.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you use the services of an outside public relations or marketing firm, ask them if they offer grant writing consulting services as well. Many do, and you might save yourself a retainer.

Over $450 billion in grants will be awarded this year. To successfully obtain grant funding, utilize the services of a professional grant consultant. Grant writing consultants provide writing, research and related services to make your grant proposal stand out from the competition and achieve winning results.

Grant writing experts are invaluable when your organization needs writing and research talent not available on your staff, or when you are on a tight grant submission deadline. Grant writer consultants understand how foundations award grants and are skilled in creating detailed, informative and compelling grant proposals.

Before beginning your search for grant writing specialists, it is important to define your grant writing needs. Clearly identify the goal of your services, including project scope, time frame and budget. This information will help you select the best grant writer to meet your needs.

When selecting grant writing companies, research each firm and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of experience do the grant consultants offer to maximize funding opportunities for your business or organization?

2. What services do the grant writing firms provide to differentiate your proposal in the competitive funding selection process?

3. How much should my organization invest in consultant grant writing services?

Action Steps
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Hire grant writing consultants that specialize in your industry

Select grant writing experts who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in your business or industry. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: ProposalWriter.com has experience in grant writing services for non-government grants. Research Associates focuses on proposal development for school districts and large, private, nonprofit youth organizations. ChristianGrants.com specializes in funding opportunities for Christian-based programs and organizations.

Choose grant writing companies with proven skills

Review the grant writing work of each consulting firm. Ask about value-added services each firm offers above and beyond standard grant writing and research. Request sample proposals similar in scope to your projected grant proposal submissions.

I recommend: Resource Development Associates provides examples of recent grant consultant projects, including grants, plans, presentations, workshops, data mapping, surveys and focus groups. Seliger + Associates offers comprehensive grant writing and related services, including nonprofit incorporation documentation and contract service provider program plans. Advancement Ink features an online portfolio highlighting example projects including funding proposals and cost studies.

Select grant writing consulting firms that meet your budget

Many grant writing businesses operate on an hourly billing structure. Some grant writing companies contract a flat negotiated fee for long-term client relationships. Your grant consultant cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: Allied Grant Writers offers four grant writing proposal packages at a flat rate and guarantees a winning proposal or they will rewrite the proposal up to three times. Full Funding Services operates through project-based fees for grant writing assignments, which range from $3,500 - $10,000 depending on the proposal complexity and lead time. Rozen Consulting and Design charges an hourly fee for grant writing and research services.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before signing a contract with a grant writing consulting firm, ask about the firm's success rate for the type of grant your organization is pursuing. Reputable grant writing firms will provide not only the number of grants submitted, but also the percentage of grants won.
• •  Beware of grant writing companies that work on commission or for a percentage of the project value. Such companies rarely have the best interest of their clients in mind.

If you wish to join the ranks of grant writing businesses as a consultant, you will need grant writing consultants education and training. Consultants are usually grant writing specialists with a proven ability to write well and land grants for businesses. While there are no certifications or degrees needed, training is important to build your skills and to assure businesses that you can help them secure grant funding.

As a consultant, grant writing will be the most important skill to hone. However, you also may want to develop your business skills and training, especially if you wish to establish your own business as a grant writer consultant. When deciding on your grant writing consultants education and training, consider:

1. Seek out workshops that build specific grant writing skills.
2. Read samples of winning grant proposals to learn about what works in grant writing.
3. Find training specifically for grant writer consultants to build your business skills.
   

Action Steps
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Take workshops that grow your grant writing consulting skills

Workshops in grant writing usually hone your grant writing skills quickly and offer hands-on practice. This type of training is quick, affordable and allows you to start writing grants at once. Also, workshops allow you to focus on specific skills you need to develop for grant writing firms.

I recommend: The Grantsmanship Center has been offering training in grant writing and grant seeking since 1972. Their workshops offer a great deal of information in an intensive five-day format. High Impact Grants! offers two-day and three-day grant writing workshops around the country.

Develop skills as a grant consultant by reading samples of grants

Practical, hands-on learning is important for any grant consultant. Understanding what works and what does not work in a grant is important, and one of the best ways to learn the distinction between successful and unsuccessful grants is to read grant examples.

I recommend: Colorado Grants has successfully raised more than $100 million through grants, and their examples of successful grants are very informative. The University of Louisiana at Monroe Office of Sponsored Programs and Research offers a number of successful grant samples. The U.S. Department of Education makes a number of funded grant proposals available. These are useful when learning how to create government grant proposals.

Become a grant writer independent consultant with consultant-specific training

Many consultants become grant writing professionals with little more than some training in grant writing. However, many consultants want to start their own business or work as an independent consultant. If this is your long-term goal, classes created specifically for consultants not only discuss grant writing but also offer useful information about running a consulting business.

I recommend: Valencia Enterprises offers an online class on "Becoming a Grant Writing Consultant." In addition to writing skills, the course focuses on how students can launch their own home-based business as a grant consultant. ExpertRating offers an ISO 9001:2000 certified grant writing consultant course and certification.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many grant consultants train on the job and attract clients or employers based on their previous work. That is, these consultants write a few grants initially for non-profit companies at no charge and if these grants are successful ask for permission to use the company's testimonials or references to secure other consultant or grant writing work. This might be a strategy you might wish to consider at the onset of your career as well.

Grant writing has become a specialized, competitive business and many organizations are hiring professionals such as grant writers or grant consultants in order to qualify for more grants. As funding dollars are slashed, many businesses find that they need professional help to secure grants.

Understanding grant writing consultants key terms allows you to hire the right consultant for your organization by helping you understand the services offered. Knowing some basic grant writing consultants key terms can also help you communicate with your grant expert about the different parts of your grant application.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Grant writers

Grant writers are professional writers who help businesses and organizations draft, organize, write and edit grant proposals and applications. Some grant consultants also offer additional services such as managing multiple grant proposals.

I recommend: DegreeDirectory has a useful explanation of what grant writers are and exactly what these writers do.

Grant proposal

The grant proposal is a formal request for money from a granting agency or organization. In essence, the grant proposal outlines why your group should receive the funding money being offered. The strength of the grant proposal is often the deciding factor in determining who will get a grant, which is why it often pays to have professional assistance.

I recommend: John F. Schultz and Company has a very easy-to-understand explanation of the grant proposal. WiseGEEK also offers more information on grant proposals.

Grant application package

A grant application package is a file containing all the elements of the grant proposal and funding request. It contains information about the grant itself and includes details about the budget and the proposed project that the grant will pay for. To successfully apply for a grant, it is essential that your grant application package be complete and contain no errors. Many organizations hire grant consultants to compile the best possible packages.

I recommend: GrantsFAQs.com has a definition of the grant application package, as well as an explanation of what is included in the package.

501(c)3

501(c)3 is the status that defines an organization as a non-profit. Many grants are available only to organizations that have the 501(c)3 status and some consultants specify that they only work with these organizations.

I recommend: Research Associates has a detailed explanation of 501(c)3 and even includes a helpful guide on how qualified businesses can secure this status.

Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Many grants now require a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) before requesting a full proposal. This allows the organization offering the grant to pre-screen applicants quickly. LOIs are challenging because they require organizations to outline their projects in a short letter. Many grant consultants and grant writers are hired to help organizations compile such letters.

I recommend: The Pima County Public Library has a useful explanation and samples of LOIs.

Grant research

Grant research involves finding out more about a grant and an organization offering a grant. Often such research can help an applicant find the most successful angle for a proposal or can help generate ideas for a proposal. Many grant consultants offer some form of research service.

I recommend: GrantProposal offers a detailed explanation of what grant research is and how it can help applicants.