General Description:  Nonprofit institutions are always looking for new sources of funding for their programs and services.  Grant writers help these institutions to locate and secure grant money from the thousands of private foundations and corporations that provide money for educational, research, civic and social programs.

Any strong writer can do this work, but it helps to have excellent communication, research and presentation skills.  It takes time to build up a reputation as a successful grant writer and many people get their start by volunteering their services to local charities. 

Options for Flexibility:

Some institutions have grant writers on staff, but most contract out grant writing work on a part-time or project basis.  

Hourly rates for a competent grant writer range $50-$75/hr while more experienced grant writers with a proven track record can command over $100/hr.  Grant writers can also charge by the project or earn a percentage of the total value of the grant money secured.

Some grant writers offer supplementary services such as grant proposal evaluations or grant funding research assistance.

Resources for Further Exploration:

Associations:

American Association of Grant Professionals

American Grant Writers Association

The Foundation Center

Books: