How does one become a grant writer or a proposal writer?
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I've heard about it and there are always a million listings on CraigsList for grant writers and proposal writers, but what is one and how do you train for it? I have seen grants and proposals come through occasionally at my job and they seem like long applications asking for project funding - nothing too special, just a lot of detail. It seems like if you follow the instructions, you can fill out the paperwork. Based on the job listings for grant writers, it does not seem that the writer has to know the field they are writing a grant for. Clarification anyone? Is it like doing taxes where just "filling out the paperwork" isn't enough?

Best Answer:
Grant writing is more than filing the blanks and requires a LOT MORE thoughht than filing in taxes. There's no special education or certification required to be a grant writer, but you need to have: Excellent writing skills. You need not only know how to write, but you need to write extremely well. Your client's success in obtaining the grant hinges in large part on the quality of your written proposal. Whether you are writing for a request of $1,000 for a community activity or a $5 million research project, you must be able to clearly communicate how the funds will be effectively used to reach a worthwhile goal. Write, write and write constantly to practice and improve your writing skills. Clear understanding of the project process. Your role as a grant writer is to convert your clients' ideas and concepts into a workable and concrete program. You will serve as the bridge between the grant applicant and the grant provider, where your role is to put into writing the clients' concepts and transform it into a project that the funding institution will support. Your document must assure the funding institutions that their funds will be put to the best possible uses. You must have also loads of imagination. Part of your work will be to visualize how a $75,000 project, for example, is going to play out over three-year project duration. Strong research skills. More than just providing a well-written document, you need to possess strong research skills. Part of the work of the grant writer is the identification and selection of appropriate potential donors. You will research grant-making organizations and analyze them to identify likely funding sources for specific projects and programs. A philanthropic organization focusing on children's education is not likely to approve an application for a tree-planting project. Or an organization that funds medical research projects may not support a diversity project. You will increase the chances of getting the funds if you submit the proposal to the right institution. Discipline and organization. A grant writer must be able to keep track of grant application deadlines and follow-up on submitted applications. It is also essential to keep track of trends in the field and be aware of changes in the priorities of funding institutions, as well as new funding sources. Here are some resources on how to be a grantwriter Teaching Yourself to be a Grantwriter http://www.grantproposal.com/starting_inner.html Minnesota Council on Foundations Writing a Successful Grant Proposal http://www.mcf.org/mcf/grant/writing.htm American Association of Grant Professionals http://www.grantprofessionals.org Non profit Guides http://www.npguides.org/ GrantExperts.com http://www.grantexperts.com Association of Fund Raising Professionals http://www.afpnet.org/ Foundation Center http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/learnabout/proposalwriting.html You may also want to check out the following books Demystifying Grant Seeking: What You REALLY Need to Do to Get Grants I'll Grant You That: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Funds, Designing Winning Projects, and Writing Powerful Grant Proposals Winning Grants: Step by Step, 2nd Edition Grant Winner's Toolkit : Project Management and Evaluation Grant Writing For Dummies®
How To Be a Grant Writer http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol121/grantwriter.htm
Answered by imisidro