Very few people set their sights to be a full-time grant writer; more likely they end up doing so by accident because they were in a job that was seeking grant funding, had good writing skills, and got thrown in the job.
On the other hand, there may be many out there like me – some one who set out to be a grant writer. A mentor suggested it would be a good way to combine my writing skills with my desire to work in non-profits. However, because there are no clearly defined paths to becoming grant writer, I had to make my own way. This series will talk about the path that I took to become a grant writer, including what worked and what didn’t!
1. Volunteer To Write Grants
There is no shortage of underfunded non-profits out there and many of these organizations would love for you to help them write and research grants, even if you have absolutely no experience. Desire to learn and help, is the most important asset you can bring to the volunteer position.
Finding an organization to work with can be a challenge, but there are several ways to do so. Start where you know. Do you already volunteer somewhere? Chances are they could use some help in the grants department and making the leap would be easy because you already have a strong reputation there.
If you do not know a non-profit that needs help, someone you know does, and networking is the key to finding that place. Tell your family, friends, church, coworkers and anyone else you know about your new interest in grant writing, and ask them if they know a potential partner. Given that we are all separated by just six degrees, this method is bound to work if you give it enough time.
You may consider contacting non-profits directly, but without an “in,” you may find this frustrating. Remember, the non-profits that can help you learn are those that don’t already have a grant writer on staff, so chances are they are small budget operations with far more work than time to get it done. Be patient, something will eventually come along.
I was lucky because a friend of mine was hosting the Director of www.FreeTheSlaves.net as a speaker on our college campus, and so after his talk I got to tag along with them for drinks. It was there that I told him I wanted to be a grant writer and he kindly suggested I help them out. They were in the early stages of development, so it was an exciting time to be part of their work. Everyone was full of passion for their work and more than willing to help others become involved. I mainly did grant research and the most valuable part of my experience was the help of another volunteer, who was already a full-time grant writer. He helped show me the ropes and spent an afternoon showing me how to get the most of the Grants Information Center! A personalized tour from a seasoned veteran of grant writing — you can’t ask for much better lesson than that.
You will find that the more you are willing to give, the more people are willing to help you in return. During this time, it is important to remember you are in the learning stages and that the experience you are gaining is the reward. All the while, you must do your best work and keep track of what grants you research, identify, and write. These are all the first seeds to plant in your grant writing portfolio.
In my next post, I will discuss the second step : Research the Craft of Grant Writing
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