Are you a nonprofit or small business in need of some help? Are you trying to search for grants but feel overwhelmed? Do you not know where to begin? A grant writer from GrantWriterTeam.com may be perfect for you!

8 reasons to hire a grant writer:

(besides the very obvious reason – to write a grant for your organization)

1. You need help with your mission and vision statements
2. You want to improve your PR methods
3. You need an educational curriculum
4. You need someone to help research the right grants for your organization
5. You can’t find the words for your goals
6. You need help developing a business plan to present to funders
7. You need help evaluating a program and to monitor quality assurance
8. You need a crowdfunding mentor

Mission and Vision Statements

Do you have a great operation but lack-luster mission and vision statements? A grant writer can help you understand what you do in terms of words. Grant writers are word-smiths so they can turn a phrase for you, in no time. Just tell them what it is you do, plus some of your goals, and they will provide you with a stand-out mission and vision statement. Remember, these are not the same thing. A mission statement includes the purpose of an organization while the vision statement includes key values. To think of it in lay-man's terms, a mission statement is what an organization does and a vision statement is what an organization would like to do in the future. 

PR Methods

By completing a needs assessment, a writer can determine that you need support in your Public Relations methods. They could suggest to you to reach out to local TV stations and newspapers to send out regular press releases. In fact, they could write these press releases for you. A good press release answers the 5 W's: Who, What, Where, When, Why. Journalists need this information to report a complete story. In the press release, report facts like events, services, and targets. A quote and a clear photo can also help your message be more memorable. In addition to press releases, a grant writer from GrantWriterTeam.com can help you write text for your website or brochures! These are great places to put your mission and vision statements! 

Educational Curriculum

Some educational grants, like grants for HeadStart, workforce training and youth, require educational curriculum. For instance, say your grant is to establish an arts education program in your school district, it is necessary to have an educational curriculum. This curriculum will detail what the students will be taught, with grant funds. Just one more thing the funding source may request (if the grant is an educational grant).  

Research

Remember to read our articles, “How to Start a Nonprofit,” and “Are You Grant Ready?” to understand what you must have in place before applying for grants. Do you have all that information but just can’t find the right grants? They are out there!

A grant writer can help you locate federal, state & local grants as well as find foundation grants and contracts. Most likely, they will be using GrantWatch.com but with some information about your organization, he or she will be able to search for the terms that bring appropriate search results.

The right words

When applying for a grant, it is important to use the right words. You must convey need and aptitude. This is because if you are granted the funds, the source should be confident in the fact that you will implement the money in appropriate methods. It’s possible to get a little creative when describing your vision. I’ve read grant proposals that expressed the mission and vision of an organization within the body of the text. The writer created a depiction of current standards, then contrasted it with a vision for the future. Our grant writers can help you express your vision.

A Business Plan

A grant writer at GrantWriterTeam.com can also help you formulate a business plan to present to funders. Sometimes, a business plan is incorporated into a grant application. Or, you may borrow sections from the business plan to include in your grant proposal. Remember, a business plan is comprised of the following sub documents:

• executive summary
• company description
• market analysis
• organization and management
• service or product line
• marketing and sales
• funding request
• financial projections, and
• appendix

Evaluating a Program

If you are a new nonprofit, hoping to start a program with grant money, our grant writers can evaluate your program. Given the right information, they will be able to prepare evaluation reports. During the course of a grant (after it is granted), the funding source needs to keep up with their money. So, they may ask for evaluation reports and to monitor quality assurance. Our grant writers at GrantWriterTeam.com can do that for you, too.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is a fairly new creation. It is a fundraising method that allows people to donate to your cause. Post your campaign and watch people from all over make contributions. It is a great idea to synergize your efforts at acquiring grants with a crowdfunding campaign. At Uhelpfund, for example, you can create a crowdfunding campaign and associate it with up to 6 of the 100 categories. Before you make a campaign though, create a Stripe account. Then, ask a grant writer from GrantWriterTeam.com to create text for you to showcase your cause on Uhelpfund. He or she may be able to find the right words to compel contributors to donate.

GrantWriterTeam.com

Contact GrantWriterTeam.com for their services. Complete the application to request a grant writer. Grant writers will respond to you with bids and you can chose the grant writer.  Then that writer will contact you. He or she will work out a contract with you and decide on deliverables, including your grant proposal. Grant writer fees could be $40 per hour and up or a flat fee for up to four projects. 

About the Author: Sabeen is currently an MPH student with a history in Mass Communications. She is currently writing for GrantWatch.com and its affiliates.

Sources:

Are you a writer? Do you have grant writing experience? Then you need us and we need you! Join our team of grant writers and expand your resume. Work for an international, reputable, and reliable name in grants. GrantWriterTeam.com matches grant seekers with grant writers every day. 

What do grant writers at GrantWriterTeam.com do?

Sometimes, nonprofits applying for grants have a vision but they cannot find the words to express themselves.  This is where the grant writers at GrantWriterTeam.com come in. As a grant writer, you can help a nonprofit express its goals to a funding source. You may write narratives for grant proposals or prepare evaluation reports. There are also other tasks you will be performing like completing needs assessments or researching literature for best practices, among others like the following: 

• Researching for grant prospects: Locating federal, state & local grants; and Finding foundation grants and contracts.
• Grant writing: Writing proposal narratives; Developing budgets; researching the needs of the target population; Completing needs assessments; and Researching literature for best practices.
• Evaluating programs: Preparing evaluation reports; and Monitoring quality assurance.
• Crowdfunding: Developing crowdfunding campaigns for: Entrepreneurs, Nonprofits. Teacher and students, Artists, Inventors, Researchers, Start-ups, Social movements, Sports teams, Social media strategies, Fundraising materials, and Identifying perks for contributors.
• Developing business plans: Evaluate business needs; Develop marketable programs; and Identifying venture or angel funding.
• Writing and developing curriculum: Educational surveys; Research exiting curricula; and Writing age-appropriate curriculum.

But most importantly, you will be writing. And you won’t just be writing, you will be writing for great causes. You will play an integral part in gaining funds for various noble purposes. It’s hard to specify what you will be writing about because there are over 50 grant categories located at GrantWatch.com, an affiliated site where many of your assignments may come from. For example, you may write a grant proposal for a grant on aging seniors, arts and culture, or something else! 

The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need

For some pointers on grant-writing, check out this book titled: The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need by Ellen Karsh and Arlen Sue Fox. You will find a step-by-step guide to grant proposal development. It also includes hands-on exercises, a glossary, and more!

How to apply

To apply to become a grant writer, simply go to GrantWriterTeam.com and click on “I am a Grant Writer.” Fill out your contact information, areas of expertise, awarded grants, resume, and references. Remember to put some thought into your application and only use relevant information. Then, submit your profile. As a grant writer, you will be earning $40 or more per hour and receiving a flat fee for requests with multiple projects.

Fees

After your application is reviewed and accepted, you will be contacted and enabled to sign in with a PayPal email. You can opt for $30 a week or $100 a month to bid on any project within that period of time. Bidding on a request is like submitting your name for that project. So, if you think your strengths lend you to a project, bid on it! Currently, there are some very interesting requests for bids:

• Seeking Grant Writer for Funding to Subsidize Housing for the Homeless 
• Grant Writer Wanted to Locate and Write Grants to Train Individuals for Future Careers

Deliverables

As a grant writer, you will follow a list of deliverables and a timeline for those deliverables. Often, you will be paid accordingly. The deliverables could include a retainer or a working draft, among other things. The important thing is to get your client the completed deliverables on time. Although it may be challenging work, it is rewarding. Start helping nonprofits, and make a name for yourself in the grant world. Join GrantWriterTeam.com today!

How to Fund Your Next STEM Project

Are you interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or STEM? Maybe your business can benefit from technology. Did you know you could get an advancement in technology for your business funded by the federal government? The Small Business Innovation Research or SBIR program encourages small businesses in America to get involved with Federal Research or Research and Development (R/R&D). Specifically, for research and development with the possibility of commercialization. And, if you need a grant written for a STEM-related project, consult our team of grant writing specialists at GrantWriterTeam.com. It's really easy to use!

Is the SBIR Grant Right For My Business?

A grant funded by SBIR allows your business to research methods of technological advancement, or apply to a company-wide technological update. It may also include research or research and development in another way. Maybe you are a nonprofit clinic looking to update your equipment. Or maybe you want to switch to electronic records. An SBIR grant maybe right for you. To learn more about the types of projects the SBIR funds, check out SBIR.gov under “Awards” in the menu.

What is SBIR?

According to SBIR.gov,

“The mission of the SBIR program is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy.”

The SBIR has four goals: 1) Stimulate technological innovation, 2) Meet Federal research and development needs, 3) Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged persons, and 4) Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding.

How Do I Apply for an SBIR grant?

According to NIH, there are several ways to apply for an SBIR grant. The most commonly utilized method is through ASSIST. Other people may opt for Institutional Solutions or System-to-System (S2S), Grants.gov Workspace, or Grants.gov downloadable forms. An important thing to remember is that SBIR is a 3-phase program. According to SBIR.gov, in Phase I, the grantee must establish “technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed R/R&D efforts.” In Phase II, funding is based on results achieved in Phase I. Finally, the objective of Phase III is to “pursue commercialization objectives resulting from the Phase I/II R/R&D activities.”

How to Develop a Successful SBIR Proposal

For additional information on applying to an SBIR grant, check out this book titled How to Develop a Winning Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Proposal: Government Contracting Knowledge Series by Eric Adolphe.

The STTR or Small Business Technology Transfer program is another federally funded program. The difference is the STTR requires the small business to collaborate with a Phase I or Phase II level research institution. 

Before Applying for a SBIR Grant

Search through MWBEzone.com and GrantWatch.com for STEM related grants. You might find something that applies to you. Good search terms maybe in the list located to the right of the screen like Health and Medical, Science, or Technology. Or, simply type “STEM” in the advanced search at GrantWatch.com. Furthermore, for news on grants and tips on grant writing, visit GrantNews.press. 

Find More Grants Like These!

There are foundations and government agencies that want to fund STEM grants for small businesses and nonprofits.  Consider applying to the following funding opportunities to promote business growth: 

Grants to Delaware Businesses & Municipalities for Job Creation and Brownfields Redevelopment  

Deadline ongoing

Grants to Mississippi IHE Staff for Development or Enhancement of High-Quality STEM Courses

Deadline 05/01/2016

All these, plus thousands more, may be found on GrantWatch.com.  Fund your organization's next project with a vast number of grants and sponsors to choose from and engage.

Crowdfund!

You may also want to consider synergizing your efforts by crowdfunding. Crowdfunding will allow money to be funnelled to your project by multiple sources. To learn about how to crowdfund, visit Uhelpfund. There are 100 categories from which to choose. Find out how you can get the financial support your organization needs to fund its mission at GrantWatch.com, or call our team of grant specialists at 561-249-4129.