Grant Writing 101: Start With the Basics

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What is the most valuable resource for learning grant writing basics? For some grant writers, just surfing the Web using Google search finds them the information they need. But while there’s plenty of information out there, like most internet searches, weeding through the results to find gold takes valuable time.

That’s why grant writers also turn to colleagues, experienced grant writers and funders for feedback and tips. This kind of advice — from those who have walked the same path can help grant writers with less experience tackle more complex grant applications than they are used to. They help to avoid pitfalls and embrace industry-standard “best practices.” And be sure to visit GrantWriterTeam.com for more information and resources for grant writers.

Remember the 5 Rs of Grant Writing Basics

Because grant writers usually have little or no idea who will review the proposal they submit, uncertainty is part of the process. What are the grant reviewer’s expectations? Are they experts on the subject at hand? How experienced are they at reviewing grant proposals and applications?

Using the 5 Rs of grant writing offers a way for proposals to leave a positive impression on reviewers. The reason is, they cover the basics of what every grant writer should do in preparing a grant.

Here are the 5 Rs:

1. Readiness. Every grant writer should become 100% familiar with everything about the grant in question. What does the funding organization expect the grant to achieve? And, what documents must be included with the proposal? Knowing the grant guidelines before starting the process gives the grant writer a better chance at giving the funder precisely what they are looking for.

2. Research. Part of the grant writing process is researching everything about the organization funding and/or awarding the grant. And, naturally you should also thoroughly research the grant itself. You can find some successful research stories here at GrantWriterTeam.com.

3. Relationships. Building relationships is key to success as a grant writer. It’s as simple as keeping in touch with key people in the funding organization and, of course, your client or clients. And these relationships often begin with submitting a Letter of Interest ahead of a grant.

4. Writing. Kick into your best storytelling gear when drafting an outline and/or narrative for your grant. A grant application should tell a story. This story tells why your client deserves this grant. Also, it shows how they will use the grant to achieve their own and the grantor’s goals.

5. Reporting. Every grantor wants to know the effect of their funding. So nearly all grants include reporting requirements as part of the grant award. Of course, this can depend on the granting organization and/or complexity of the grant. And many grants require reporting throughout the lifecycle of the grant. So it’s important to submit reports when expected to keep the grantor satisfied the funds are being used as expected.

Know What an Excellent Proposal Looks LIke

Grant are offered by federal or state agencies and nonprofit and private entities or foundations. But all grant applications ask the same of proposals, no matter the focus of the grant. The key qualities of excellent proposals are universal. But keep in mind they are also subjective. So it helps to become familiar with winning proposals. Luckily, many organizations post these online or will share upon request.

What all excellent grant proposals share are these qualities:

  • Clarity. Make sure the goals and objectives for the project are measurable, and there’s a clear out outcome-based evaluation plan in place.

  • Concise. Answer all application questions directly and include all the specific information requested.

  • Compelling. This winds back to storytelling, as the proposal should be written in a manner that makes the reviewer want to move forward with your idea.

Do Your Grant Writing Basics Homework

Before starting a grant proposal, make sure your research is complete. Therefore, you should know:

  • The funding priorities.
  • Application process.
  • Application deadline.
  • The organization’s grant history.
  • The grants’ geographical distribution.
  • The average grant award size.

Once you know all the details surrounding a grant, you then can ask the right questions when contacting a grantor. And this is the path to building that important relationship with the people who are awarding the grants.

Find the Right Client

Many grant writers specialize in specific grant areas. And some grant writers mainly write proposals in one field, like education or community building or health. A grant writer can focus on large federal grants or those from smaller, community-based organizations or only private foundations.

Since GrantWriterTeam is powered by GrantWatch, matching your grant writing skills with the right client and grant program can be as simple as joining our team. Because this is what GrantWriterTeam specializes in: matching clients and grant writers. So visit GrantWriterTeam.com to join today!

8 Best Writing Tips You Can Borrow From Successful Writers

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Good writing is the result of passion – passion on the part of an author – no matter what that form of writing may be. A student who crafts an amazing essay has passion for the topic. An author who creates a piece of CIvil War nonfiction has an obvious passion for that time in history. A grant writer has a passion to help a non-profit gain the resources it needs to sustain and grow its services. But passion alone does not make for good writing, so these writing tips will surely help.

Of course, every writer should have excellent grammar and composition skills, but there are other elements involved that successful writers seem to have, as well.

  • Journalists must be able to create compelling headlines and leads to capture immediate attention.
  • Copywriters who produce web-based content for e-commerce businesses must be creative with things like product descriptions, and must know how to educate, entertain and inspire potential customers with their articles and social media posts.
  • Novelists and short story writers must be able to “spin” a tale that will keep readers enthralled and turning those pages.
  • Grant writers must provide factual data, background information and present a compelling and persuasive case for an individual or organization to obtain the needed funding and other resources.
  • Nonfiction authors must find ways to make a topic exciting and unique that could otherwise be dull and/or boring.

Whatever type of writing you do, it can be the best job ever if you love it.

One thing that any writer will tell you, however, is that they can always get better at what they do.

So, how do you know what and how to improve? Here are eight writing tips from successful writers that will get you started.

1.   Always Do Enough Background Research

No matter what type of writing you do, there is always research involved. In fact, author James Michener had a large team of researchers and never began a book without them on the job. You may have to do your own research, but do it. Of all writing tips, this is perhaps the most important.

  • As a fiction writer, you need to research your settings, so your descriptions are accurate. And you may need to research a specific mental or physical illness if a character suffers from it.
  • A nonfiction writer’s need for research is obvious.
  • Content copywriters must research topics, their competitors, their target audience characteristics, and such.
  • A grant writer must present a research section that provides a history and a lot of data on the topic of request, in order to show need.
  • Students must conduct research for all types of essays and/or papers they must write.

When you think you have done enough research, do more. As Alison Lee, Editor in Chief for academic writing assistance company, Subjecto, this is a common problem with student research pieces she reads and edits: “Students often take the ‘easy route,’ that is, doing the minimum research they think will cover a topic. In fact, that lack of deeper research can result in poor topic coverage and lower grades.”

2.   Write with Deliberateness

All writing has a purpose. Be certain that you know yours. If you cannot state your purpose to yourself in a single sentence, you’re not ready to write your piece. Why do you want to write this? If money is your only motive, you don’t have the right intent. Making money from what you write is simply a side benefit. You must be committed to and passionate about your project or it will not be successful, and, in the end, you won’t make any money anyway.

3.   Write for Your Audience

Every writer has an audience. Novelist Sue Grafton has a largely adult female audience. Stephen Spielberg’s audience is composed of those who enjoy the macabre. Shelby Foote wrote for those who are Civil War enthusiasts. Copywriters write for targeted consumers. Grant writers write for an audience of organizations that have funds and resources to give and for clients who need those.

You must identify your audience before you even begin to write, and do some research on that audience. Ask yourself, how will you appeal to that segment, based upon its beliefs, values, preferences, etc.? This is one of those writing tips all writers can use.

4.   Eliminate Distractions

Most successful writers state that they set aside a part of their day to do nothing but write. Even if working from home, they close themselves off, and no interruptions are allowed. Those who know that they distract themselves on their computers use tools to block those site accesses while they write.

5.   Read and Listen a Lot

Writers read as much as possible, of all genres. And now, in this digital age, they also view a lot – podcasts, webinars, interviews, and such. All of this reading and viewing stretches vocabulary, and stimulates thinking, new ideas, and creativity.

6.   Write, Write, Write

Even when a writer is not working on a project, he still takes his writing time as normal. Suppose, for example, that, as a grant writer, you have just completed a project. It was grueling, and you are happy to have a bit of a break. But you should not take a break –that is one of my 8 best writing tips.

Perhaps you have a side project – many successful writers do. If not, start one, even if it might not be something you will ever publish. Maybe you’ve had an idea for a novel in your head for a long time. Start it. Possibly, you like poetry and enjoy writing poems now and then.

The point is this: writers write.

7.   Give Your Language Strength

No matter what genre, great writers use strong language. They use strong rather than weak verbs. A strong verb provides a better version of a more common one. Example: “run” is a common and weak verb; “streaked” is a stronger verb – it is more descriptive. You can find lists of strong vs. weak verbs with a simple Google search.

Always use active as opposed to passive voice. This results in stronger overall language. Passive voice tends to be more impersonal and a bit detached.

8.   Get a Second (or Third) Set of Eyes

We are always a bit “emotionally” attached to what we write. This can cause us to gloss over parts or sections that are unclear, poorly written, or confusing. Once a piece, or any section of a piece, is completed, have someone whose skills you trust to review what you have crafted and provide honest feedback. Just like “a lawyer who defends himself has a fool for a client,” a writer who is the only editor of his work, will not have the best that a piece can be.

Wrapping it Up

These eight writing tips are just the beginning. Review them carefully and see which are best suited for the type of writing you do, and how you can implement them into your own writing/writing routine. Improved writing is a process – a process that never ends.

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A Day in the Life of a Grant Writer: What You Need to Know

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A lot of people might consider being a grant writer tedious and that’s not entirely incorrect. It comes with much pressure and is highly competitive. So, grant writers know that their grant applications must be engaging so as to convince the grantmaker of your worthiness of the grant award.

Grant writing is a fundraising process that involves applying for funding to grantmakers. These can be an individual, a corporation, or a government entity. A grant writer writes competitive proposals to a grantmaker, detailing why you should get the funding.

Grant writing can look daunting, especially if you are a first-timer, without the experience to judge your grantmaker’s mindset and what they want you to include in your proposal. While many grants include detailed information, unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. And not having the necessary information you need before applying would surely diminish your chance of getting the grant.

Here are some tips on avoiding first-time grant writer mistakes that can also help to sharpen your skillset if you already have some grants under your belt. This post will also help you learn what exactly you need to know before applying for a grant.

Grant Writer Key Benefits

Apart from the benefit of fundraising for a worthy organization, grant writing offers some other advantages that people often gloss over. These benefits are:

  1. Learning the art of collaboration.
  2. Adding a professional quality to your CV.
  3. The opportunity to gain humility and perseverance.
  4. It offers excellent networking opportunities.
  5. The potential of a fabulous career from gleaned from those networking opportunities.

What to Know Before You Write and Apply for a Grant

One of the core things you need to know is that grant writing is like writing a story of your need and how to address it. Contrary to what you might imagine, you don’t have to approach it robotically. Your grant proposal involves a creative process similar to that of writing essay writers UK story. You can utilize the proper framework for a grant writer and use your creativity to write something that would interest your funder.

Now that the above has been established, it becomes essential to know what information is critical in writing your grant. They are.

Determine Pre-Grant Writing Readiness

Grant writing can be the easiest part of applying for a grant. The real work that determines your success is what you do before writing the grant. First, be sure you are ready to ask for a grant. Do you have any evidence to accompany your grant proposal? How impactful will your program be? Do you have any data to back it up? What’s your budget, and does it reflect the costs of your proposal accurately?. These are some of the issues you need to consider before starting your application.

Research, Research and More Research

When you have done the above assessment and are sure you are ready, you need to research the types of grants you want to pursue. The grant you wish to pursue should have relevance to your needs. The grant should also have relevance to the grantmaker. So, your target should be those grantmakers who are interested in funding your mission. If your grantmaker has different interests from yours, there is a high likelihood that your proposal won’t reach the consideration stage.

Strike a Relationship With Grantmakers Beforehand

The foundation or grantmaker you are applying to is probably not aware of your existence when submitting a proposal. However, you should be familiar with them beforehand. Try to meet up with them and introduce yourself and your mission before you write the proposal. Inform them of your willingness to volunteer should they need volunteers, and ask what they would like to see included in a grant proposal. Doing this will give you a better chance at success when you do apply. And, your name would resonate with them over the hundreds of applications they receive. 

Comply With the Submission Instructions

In writing your grant proposal, follow the instruction given to you as a guide to the grant application process. Attach documents that you are instructed to attach, and do not gloss over any requirements. The grant application is already competitive, so don’t include anything that would make the funder take your application for granted. (Pardon my play on words.)

What You Need to Know: Highlights

  1. Create a specific, impactful, and clear plan for your application and the reason you want to apply.
  2. Think about how your plan can obtain desirable results.
  3. Find a grantmaker that grants funds for the kind of proposal.
  4. Thoroughly research that grantmaker. 
  5. Be sure that your interest and that of the grantmakers align.
  6. Abide by the organization’s application guidelines
  7. Seek advice from peers. 

Content of a Research Proposal

  1. Cover Letter. Your cover letter should your application look interesting to read. Write out your mission, summarize your project in the cover letter and give the funder an inkling of what to expect in the application.
  2. Organizational Information. Your goal here is to establish that you are not trying to trick the grantor. Evidence of previous records can help you convince the grantor of this.
  3. Executive Summary. This is a concise statement of what is contained in your proposal. It gives your grantor foreknowledge of what you are asking.
  4. Need Statement. This is the central aspect of your proposal. It allows the grantmaker to know what you need and how you intend to do what you seek their fund.
  5. Goals and Mission. Here, what you want to do is inform the grantor bow you indeed to tackle the problem.
  6. Outcome Evaluation. This is where you outline the impact that funding you will have.
  7. Budget. All grant applications require a breakdown of your proposal’s budget.
  8. Other Required Documents. Be sure to attach all documents required by the grantmaker.

Grant writing can be a rewarding career in many ways. In addition to the financial benefit to you, you will know that you have helped an individual or nonprofit organization reach its own funding goals. And GrantWriterTeam may be a great avenue to gaining grant writing opportunities.

How to Make Money by Freelance Writing in 2021

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The global pandemic has made many of us all find our hidden talents and try new hobbies. Meanwhile, some people have started side businesses as well. And some have turned to freelance writing as a new way to earn.

Who doesn’t love utilizing their true potential to make money? There are so many people who are using their creative skills and getting paid. Freelance writers work in many fields, including as a grant writer.

There are freelance writers who are quite famous nowadays, and they make a good living. However, writing is not as easy as it sounds. Freelance writers need research skills, an engaging expression, knowledge of various writing styles, and experience to land a project.

However, if you are certain that you possess great skills when it comes to creative or content writing, why not earn from it?

If you are starting as a freelance writer, you need to know that you won’t succeed overnight. A lot of writers don’t find good opportunities and get exploited initially, but we have some tips for you to save you the trouble.

You can get started by checking out our guide and get paid to write.

Step 1. What is Your Area of Expertise?

Everyone has different qualities.; One writer may excel at fiction, while the another is more suited to business reports. Similarly, interests vary as well. ; yYou may be interested in writing for lifestyle magazines, while someone else may want to cover news articles.

Therefore, first, determine which writing niche is suitable for you. Here are a few types of writing niches that you can explore:

Grant Writers

Grant writers compose applications for financial grants offered by different institutions, like state and federal government and nonprofits. They do thorough research and create proposals to help people receive grant money from financing organizations.

Grantwriters Team is a great place to find grant writing opportunities.

Content Writers

Content writers create content for websites, blogs, and social media pages. Usually, they are experts who write articles and blogs in a specific niche. For example, if you are a small business owner, you are in a unique position to write about small business operations from your experience.

Technical Writers

These writers are responsible for writing about tech gadgets and the latest products in layman’s terms. They also write about new web applications and software. Technical writers are also responsible for writing product manuals, white papers, business proposals, etc.

Creative Writers

Creative writers are more inclined towards the arts; they write short and long stories, ad copyies, social media ad campaigns, and so on.

Step 2. You Can Make Money Freelance Writing

If you have decided on the kinds of services you can offer as a freelancer, it’s time to get started.

Start a Blog

The first step to becoming an expert freelance writer is to practice. Starting a blog can be the ideal platform for new writers and people who want to sharpen their skills. You can easily start a blog without spending a dime.

Every freelance writer should have a blog to master his or her style and learn more. The more your practice, the better quality of content you will produce.

If you want to become a freelance writer, blogging will give you the experience and exposure you require. Your blog will be your portfolio, which you can show to potential employers.

Write for Magazines and Newspapers

Online magazines and newspapers need new content every day. Freelance writers work for magazines and newspapers. This work let’s you put all your creativity into it. If you don’t want a monotonous job, you can start writing articles for different journals and keep challenging your brain.

A lot of publications pay writers to write articles on any given niche for them. You can find a great writing opportunity that will broaden your horizon and help you find better positions.

Journals and lifestyle magazines are always in search of quality content, so you can find a good position for yourself and make money depending on the work you do.

Join a Content Site

There are a lot of content sites you can join to find an opportunity or platform that is ideal for your interest, and you can find a profitable niche. For instance, if you’re a skilled technical writer, you can join any content or writing services site to find employers.

Since most freelance writers focus on web content and lifestyle blogs, if you’re a grant writer looking for work, you can find amazing positions as there’s an ever-growing demand for grant writers. You will need prior experience because most grant seekers require a writer who has worked before.

Identify Your Clients

The next important thing to do as a freelance writer is to identify your clients and categorize them. If your expertise is business writing, but you are working for a lifestyle magazine, then you won’t get paid as much. Moreover, the work will not interest you, and you will end up feeling frustrated.

You need to find work based on your area of interest so that you can be satisfied. There are several platforms for freelancers, such as Fiver, Elance, Odesk, etc., that you can use to find the perfect work for yourself.

All companies, from internet marketing services providers to educational institutes, need content every day to keep their audience engaged. It is a perfect opportunity for you to use your writing skills to make some money.

Build Your Portfolio

One point of hiring a freelance writer is you trust someone to do the job for you. You need competent and professional skills and a professional and positive attitude. You will also want to start compiling a writing portfolio, if you want to get paid for writing.

Every start-up or employer will ask for samples of your work to determine the quality. Having a blog will give them access to judge your abilities and make you seem well put together.

Step 3. Get Paid for Your Freelance Writing

It can be tricky to start freelance writing and find paying gigs, but you can follow these tips and start making money online. It’s not going to happen overnight, and you might need to go through some unfavorable positions to get the experience you need to excel in your area of interest.

However, with experience and figuring out your niche, you can promote your services and find the perfect clients. Regardless of your field, you will be getting paid for all the work you do.

Gain Grant Writing Opportunities by Expanding Your Client Base

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Grant Writing Opportunities

Being a Grant Writer exposes you to many interesting opportunities. It allows you to work with all different kinds of nonprofits, individuals and businesses. Some grant writers specialize in a certain category of grants or clients, such as minority groups, disaster relief, start-up businesses, technology grants, and the like. After all, grant writing opportunities exist in many fields.

Work with a Variety of Clients

It’s worth noting that grant writers who work with many different clients and on different grants are well-rounded freelance writers. Additional exposure to different aspects of grant writing will only increase your grant writing skills and will add an impressive attribute to your grant writer’s resume. 

Furthermore, the beauty of working with many different clients is that it allows you to learn about a variety of topics. This increases your store of knowledge across many fields and may also provide you with a new world view!

Each client comes with a different background and a different need. Some nonprofits have been around for many years and have applied for many grants. Other nonprofits are start-ups that have just begun their grant journey. You may work with one client applying for a federal grant awarding a large sum of money or with a client applying for a small foundation grant.

Help Those in Need

Moreover, grant writing can fulfill your satisfaction of helping those in need. Grant writing is a much-needed profession for nonprofits with goals to help several communities, low-income individuals, minority groups, youth, women, and the like. It is a great feeling to help organizations gain funding for meaningful causes.

Expand Your Clientele

Expanding one’s clientele is essential in opening new opportunities for grant writers. Not all clients will need your services for an extensive amount of time. Some organizations choose to apply for grants at only certain times of the year. Therefore, gaining more clients is imperative to being a successful grant writer and having a steady constant income. 

At GrantWriterTeam, new grant writing projects are added to the list almost every day. This allows grant writers to expand their clientele and work with several different nonprofits and businesses for many different causes. It can open you to a world of opportunity. 

You may join the GrantWriterTeam as a grant writer and take on several grant writing projects by bidding on the project, establishing your own rates, and preparing a contract according to the client’s needs. 

Grant Writer Finds Meaning in Work

TP, a grant writer on GrantWriterTeam, noted how it helps get new clients for independent writers! “GrantWriterTeam has been a meaningful partner in my endeavors to expand my clientele. Thank you, Libby!”

Work on Unique Projects

Each client has their own unique cause and background. As a grant writer, your job is to satisfy their needs and help them reach their goals. You may also guide them as to where their best options for receiving funding lie. As a grant writer, you must be creative and adjust your pen for each distinctive client, to provide work that is best needed for their specific cause and need.

For example, if the organization is not fundable for grants yet, recommend a crowdfunding campaign on YouHelp.com. You may help the client create a fundraising campaign and charge per hour to set up the campaign and send it out to gain exposure. 

Furthermore, if a client does not yet have a budget plan set up, be sure to work on budget development for that organization. Some clients may already have this set up and some newer start-ups may not.

Many Benefits in Grant Writing

Grant Writers have the benefit of working with so many different organizations and receiving a broad education pertaining to a wide variety of subjects. Additionally, expanding one’s clientele ensures a constant flow of income. GrantWriterTeam may be a great avenue to gaining grant writing opportunities.

Nonprofit Wins a Housing Grant for $35,000

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Selecting the Grant Writer

The Community Health Resource Center, Inc. had requested a grant writer on GrantWriterTeam for a housing grant. They accepted the bid of Michelle11, and she wrote a grant proposal for the Section 4 Capacity Building Grants. The nonprofit had found this grant on GrantWatch and requested the grant writer to apply for this grant on behalf of its organization.

Section 4 Capacity Grants

The grantor, Enterprise Community Partners, offers Grants to USA nonprofit community development and housing organizations. It is also available to tribes and tribal housing entities, and authorities serving rural areas. Funding is intended to enhance the capacity and ability to carry out affordable housing and community development activities that benefit low- and moderate-income families and persons.

Grant Writer’s Work

By viewing the grant on GrantWatch, the grant writer reviewed the eligibility requirements for an applicant and concluded that Community Health Resource Center was an eligible 501(c)(3) applicant for the grant.

Together, the client and the grant writer prepared a contract to work on the grant writing project.

The grant writer has written the proposal on behalf of her client, requesting funding for the African American Community Resource Ambassadors (CRA). The grant would help move families in rural communities from transitional housing to more permanent housing, while increasing life skills and financial stability.

Award Letter

Lo and behold, the client received an award letter from Enterprise Community Partners, the funding source, stating; “We are pleased to inform you that Community Health Resource Center, Inc. has been tentatively selected to receive a $35,000.00 award under Enterprise’s Section 4 Capacity Building Grants Program – Rural & Native American Initiative.”

The Client’s Testimony

With that, Fredell Buttler, of Community Health Resource Center, attested: “Michele11 has demonstrated an exceptional capacity to listen, interpret and articulate the priorities aligned with achieving desired objectives. She is extremely competent, personable and thoughtful in her approaches to enhance our efforts toward servicing Veterans and families within rural communities.“

Affordable Housing Needed

Many low-income families are in need of housing. Especially during the pandemic, many people have lost their livelihoods and, with that, their homes. Housing is an essential need for many individuals that cannot afford a place to live.

Housing Grants Are Available

Nonprofit organizations that specialize in housing or operate housing programs apply for grants to gain funding so that they can provide affordable housing to minorities and low-income individuals.

GrantWatch has many housing grants for nonprofits, businesses, and individuals. An organization may hire a grant writer to apply for a housing grant at GrantWriterTeam. By delegating the grant writing to a professional, it may significantly increase their chances of winning the grant! Furthermore, this will allow the grant to be written in a timely fashion.

Your nonprofit may walk in the footsteps of Community Health Resource Center, Inc. and win a grant to help those in need of housing!

 If you have any questions about this grant, or any other grant or grant category listed on our website, feel free to reach out! You can contact our incredible customer service team at 561-249-4129.

Grants For Businesses Affected By Covid-19

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Businesses affected by Covid-19

Businesses struggle due to Covid-19

The pandemic has led to an unfortunate situation for many businesses. Many businesses were forced to close their doors due to the safety measures needed. If there was no online option for the business, no revenue was being generated. Furthermore, businesses that operated online lost many sales, because many buyers could not afford to buy, as they themselves were out of business. However, there are business grants available, especially for small businesses.

The pandemic has led to a great decline in our economy, with many businesses shutting down because there was not enough revenue to pay their expenses. 

Finding a grant 

Many businesses are seeking a path to recovery. Grants are a great option to pursue Covid-19 relief. GrantWatch has many grants available in the Covid-19 sector. 

Along with this, many organizations and government foundations are awarding grants to businesses that are suffering from Covid-19 so that they can get back on their feet. This is essential for a thriving economy. 

Hire a grant writer

Businesses have also sought to hire a grant writer to succeed in winning the grant. For example: A Grant Writer is Needed for Covid-19 Relief for a law practice. The client wishes to apply for the California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Program. A Grant Writer is also needed for an Auto Sales Businesses affected by Covid-19.

Applying for grants for businesses

Many businesses may think that they are not eligible for grants as they generate their own revenue. However, there is a whole world of grants for small businesses.

Searching and writing grants for your business may be a great option to receive Covid-19 relief. However, keep in mind that a grant award is never a guarantee, and generally there are many other applicants applying for the same grant. 

Tips for applying for grants for businesses:

  1. Make sure the information in your grant application is accurate. Your budget must make sense. If the math doesn’t add up, the funding source can easily recognize an error. Be honest about your finances.
  2. Get to know the funding source and their interests so that you can appeal to them.
  3. Stand out from the other applicants. Highlight your unique attributes, such as a unique program or a unique clientele/audience.
  4. Seek expert help, such as a grant writer and/or an accountant to help you write the best application you can.
  5. Keep in touch with the grantor and create a relationship with them prior to submitting your application.

There are resources that can help with grants for businesses

Since many businesses have been suffering from the Covid-19 restrictions, many are seeking a way to generate revenue. Hence, grants have become even more popular amongst businesses during these times. 

Some businesses have chosen to write the grants themselves or to hire a grant writer. Whichever way you may choose, there are many resources available for your grant journey. 

GrantWatch is a great place to find business grants to apply for. Additionally, GrantWriterTeam is a platform in which you can hire a grant writer.

 In addition to grants, your business may pursue a crowdfunding option. YouHelp.com allows you to create a crowdfunding campaign for your business. YouHelp also has many crowdfunding coaches that you can schedule an appointment with twice a week.

The Social Dynamics of Grant Writing

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Social Dynamics

In 2021, it’s no surprise that there’s a social element to grant writing. After all, social media has become a vital tool for nonprofits in many ways. This includes using social channels to reach out to grant funders, or for making donation forms easier to share. And social media isn’t even the only way to add a more social element to your grant writing.

In fact, many grantmaking organizations prefer that you reach out and introduce yourself before you submit your application. The only time it’s not appropriate to reach out before submitting is if the funder specifically asks you not to, or if they don’t offer contact information.

However, many grant writers are still concerned about reaching out on social media. Today, we’re offering you four steps you can take to build a relationship with grant funding organizations: 

1. Reach out to introduce your organization.

Reaching out via social media allows funders to start familiarizing themselves with your organization before you even submit your application. This first contact is a great way to ask questions about the submission process, the funding organization’s preferences, and to make sure the program you’re seeking to fund is something the organization is interested in supporting.

What’s more, taking the time to ask well-thought-out questions in advance will help you to stay top-of-mind.

Historically, it’s been common practice to reach out via phone or email if you can find the correct contact information. With LinkedIn becoming standard, it never hurts to reach out on there if you can’t find other contact information. This will work even better if you have a common connection who can arrange an introduction.

If you’re reaching out to a local grant funder, it’s advantageous to request a one-on-one meeting, even if it’s virtual. If they don’t have time for a meeting, ask if you can follow up with email or LinkedIn.

2. Follow up after you submit your application.

Once you’ve made contact, put your best work into your grant application and submit it. After submission, reach out to the funder to check on the status of your application, if they allow for it. Just make sure you’ve given the funder a reasonable amount of time to review your application first!

Not only will this help you reinforce the importance of receiving funding, but it also shows that you were earnest about creating a relationship with the organization.

3. Say thank you (even if you were turned down).

Whether your application was accepted or not, reach out to the funding organization and thank them. If your grant application was successful, it’s an even better idea to give the funding organization a call.

A phone call is generally considered to be more thoughtful. This gives you a chance to ask if you’ll need to supply progress reports in order to accept the grant. You can also use this call to offer representatives from the funding organization a tour of your facility so they can see your organization in action (once it’s safe, of course).

Even if your application was rejected, thank the funding organization for taking the time to consider you. If they gave you feedback on your application, make sure to thank them for their advice, as this advice could help you secure future grants.

If they didn’t automatically respond with advice, consider asking the funder what you can do to strengthen your application.

4. Stay in touch.

Now that you’ve received your funding, you have the chance to build a long-lasting relationship with the funding organization. To do this, you’ll want to go beyond just sending them any required progress reports.

Start by sending the funder a handwritten note. Have the note signed by several members of your staff, including those in leadership roles. You can also send them your organization’s regular newsletter with a special note attached. Finally, make sure to send additional periodic updates—preferably with pictures and videos—to show just how much the grant has made a difference.

Making sure the funding organization knows they made the right choice helps you cultivate the relationship. This improves your chances of being considered for further grants. Grant funders want to trust that their money made a difference—showing them that your organization is a good steward of resources will demonstrate their faith in your organization was not misplaced!

Conclusion

There’s more to grant writing than researching opportunities and submitting the applications. Social connections make the process of applying for and winning grants easier. By keeping the channels of communication open, you’re creating relationships that can benefit your organization now and well into the future.

And if you’re organization is strapped for time and thinking about hiring a grant writer, make sure you don’t make these seven mistakes when hiring your first grant writer!

7 Tips to Properly Organize Your Work Day as a Freelance Writer

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There’s nothing as exciting as being your own boss. Research studies show that close to 57 million Americans work as freelancers. And this number is expected to increase exponentially in the decades to come. Whether you call them remote workers or digital nomads, the one thing we know is that they have to structure their day to achieve their objectives. Just like any other job, you need to stay on track and meet your deadlines through organized planning. To get the most out of your freelancing workday, there are several things that you need to avoid.

Organize Your Day as a Freelance Writer

Why some freelancers fail

Several things can make freelancing extremely difficult. And one of them is failing to organize the workday. Some of the common issues that prevent freelancers from achieving their goals and objectives include:

  • Lack of an action plan
  • Lack of routine
  • Unbalanced work life
  • Fear of missing out
  • Workload shifts
  • Lack of cooperation

Overcoming these challenges while freelancing

While it’s easy for a freelancer to fail, you can increase your chances of success by treating your freelance work like any other normal job. Clear communication, optimizing the workspace, and having a schedule are some of the things that you’d have to do in another job. And freelancing is not very different.

1.     Work with other writers

As the popular saying goes, two heads are better than one. Failing to collaborate with other writers will make your stressful and overwhelming. Many grant writers choose to work in teams because it helps in generating new ideas for the grant research and writing required for an enterprise. A grant writing team works together to quicken the process and ensure that the writing project gets completed on time.

2.     Create a solid plan

You need to structure your day according to the needs of your client and the type of work that you’ll be required to do. Your plan doesn’t have to be complex. All you need to do is think of the tasks you’ll be working on the next day and put them on your calendar.

You can also consider batching domestic tasks to streamline your day and save time. Other successful freelancers create a to-do list the night before and check them off as the day gradually progresses.

3.     Communicate with clients

After securing a job, you should get to work. However, don’t get too busy and forget your client. You need to communicate with your clients early and often. If you get overwhelmed or sick, you have a higher likelihood of missing your deadlines. Don’t keep quiet. Let your client know what’s happening. If you’ll be traveling for a couple of days, give them a heads up. Or send the articles in advance.

If you manage to finish your tasks early, inform them as soon as you can so that they can start making payments. Being transparent and proactive will be appreciated. And you’ll be a step ahead of other freelancers.

Clear communication will make your work easier and will help in building relationships with clients. One of the best ways to build your brand and reputation is by communicating clearly and effectively.

4.     Look at your workspace

According to term paper help, working from anywhere may seem appealing to many. However, your workspace determines your productivity and performance. To become a successful freelancer, you need to figure out the kind of environment that works best for you.

Do you enjoy working in a noisy or quiet environment? Your workspace should always be organized if you want to make progress. Start by eliminating clutter and placing the items you’ll need in close proximity. If working at home isn’t conducive, you can consider working in the local library or restaurant.

5.     Manage your time effectively

To become a successful freelancer, you need to develop your time management skills. This is an important skill because you won’t have someone telling you what and when to do your job. As the popular saying goes, with freedom comes responsibility. You are 100 percent responsible for how you manage your time. You should have a plan and set your deadlines. And you also need to work ahead to get some time off.

6.     Learn to say no

Most freelancers never say no to any project that’s presented to them. And this is a huge mistake. You have to trust your intuition when choosing the projects to take. Always go for freelance projects that fit with your experience level, expertise, and passions.

When you love what you are doing, it will be easier to get more done in less time. Apart from knowing your strengths, you should know your limits. You shouldn’t overwork yourself to make other people happy. When you learn to say no, you’ll have the time and energy to work on a wide range of tasks and feel satisfied.

7.     Eliminate distractions

You need to identify the things that make it harder for you to achieve your goals. Knowing these distractions and creating a game plan will help you figure out how to avoid them. Most freelance writers get distracted by social media, television, chatting with friends, or interruptions by loved ones. To boost your productivity and performance, you have to eliminate distractions.

Conclusion

When you are freelancing, your productivity and performance depend on you. Being your own boss doesn’t mean overworking yourself or oversleeping and underworking. You need to balance everything. And learn how to separate work from play.

Searching for Grants on a Grant Writer’s Team

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Grant Writer's Team

Working with a team of grant writers

Many grant writers choose to work together on a team. There is a great benefit to this, as there is a coalition of ideas for the grant research and grant writing needed for an organization. Many grant writers that work with GrantWriterTeam work with other grant writers to get the job done. This allows for a quicker process so that the grant writing project is completed in a timely manner. 

Searching for grants

GrantWatch is one of the sources in which grant writers complete their grant research. GrantWatch allows grant writers to view and filter through grants in an efficient matter based on the recipient of a particular organization (Nonprofit, for-profit, etc.), the location, and the type of funding source (Federal government, local government, private organizations). One may also search by the many categories of grants available, such as – arts and culture, social justice, community services, etc.

Multi-User License

When grant writers work together on a team, it is helpful to allow all grant writers on the team to have access to the grant database. Therefore, it is imperative to apply for a multi-user license with GrantWatch. This will allow you and your team access to GrantWatch under one payment plan. 

Multi-User Options

There are several different multi-user options. If the users are in the same building using the same IP address, a multi-user license can be created for a specific IP address. Organizations will be provided with a specific URL (link) that will provide site-wide access when a user clicks the link within the proximity of the WIFI using the same or multiple or a proxy IP address, provided to GrantWatch by the subscribing organization. 

However, if the users are working from their home or office – a multi-user account can be created with a login of a username and password. This can particularly be helpful during these times, where many employees are working from home due to the Covid-19 circumstances.

The multiple-user license can be created for 3-400 users. The cost varies depending on the number of users that are expected to use the account. 

Applying for a multi-user license may be a game-changer to your team of grant writers.