By Sabrina Houser
Many nonprofits rely heavily on securing grants to fund the programs and initiatives that serve our communities. Grant writing services for nonprofit organizations are often handled by staff that have many other responsibilities as well.
One strategy for success that is often overlooked or dismissed as too expensive is to contract with a grant writer or grant consultant. A grant writing consultant can work with existing staff to maximize the chances of success.
A nonprofit grant consultant reviews the organization’s mission and finds grants that fit the mission. An outsourced grant consultant will also work with staff to make current grant applications align with funding requirements. A consultant can review, edit, and make suggestions to increase the chances of submitting a successful grant application.
Grant management for nonprofits requires skill, time, and experience. Every grant comes with funder expectations for reporting, tracking of expenditures and program outcomes. Restrictions may also be placed on what the funds may be expended on. Tracking and reporting expenditures, properly allocating funds to allowed expenses, as well as measuring and evaluating program outcomes fall under the purview of grant management.
One of the critical functions of a nonprofit grant consultant is in strategizing funding support for specific initiatives and programs. A grant consultant’s experience with Federal, State, and private or corporate foundations can be an invaluable asset to a nonprofit that is struggling to secure grant funding or would like to increase their grant success rate.
It takes a well written, compelling grant application that is closely aligned with a funder’s social investment priorities to stand out from the many, many grant applications that funders receive each year. A grant consultant can be the difference between an application that is merely adequate and one that rises to the top and is awarded funding.
To write a competitive application for funding, a grant writer must understand the organization’s programs, goals, and mission. The grant writing process requires skillful management of narrative, word count, budget information, as well as close adherence to funder guidelines.
Grant makers’ decisions are based on the strength of the written grant application and supporting documents. A strong, well-written application that adheres to the funder’s application guidelines is imperative. Also critical is matching agency mission with a funder’s philanthropic priorities.
This is the piece that many organizations miss. Submitting grant applications in a scattershot approach wastes time and resources and is rarely successful. Knowing this, a grant consultant can be a valuable addition to your grant writing strategy.
For any grant, application deadlines are critical.
It is a rare funder that does not require reporting on grant expenditures and program or project outcomes. Funders want to know that their investment has had an impact. As mentioned, financial reports are required in conjunction with program goals. How did you do? Did you meet your goals and the program goals? How have you managed the funds, and was the program successful? What are the outcomes? How did you measure it?
Often, the grant consultant plays a role at various stages of the grant process. A grant consultant may advise, review, or create the financial goals of the nonprofit; communicate with the organization’s legal and accounting firms if the information is needed during the grant writing process; do strategic planning to include goal development and stakeholder engagement; do outreach and communication to develop the organization’s community presence and increase engagement through messaging and activities.
For these reasons, a grants consultant may be a solid investment as part of your organization’s overall fund development strategy.
The best way to find a good grant writer is by word of mouth. Use your network of fellow nonprofit executives or board members to find a grant writer that has been helpful. Networking organizations such as your local Chamber of Commerce and BNI are also great places to start.
You can go to websites for professional membership organizations that grant writers often join.
One of the best ways to learn about a writer’s experience is by asking for examples and references. Grant writers should have a portfolio that includes different types of grants they have written and their success rates
Just as a small business owner cannot successfully wear multiple hats, a nonprofit executive director is also challenged with competing priorities and roles. The value and importance of securing grants requires time, attention, and, most important, skill and experience.