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Q: What should I be looking for in a grant writer?
A good grant writer should have a few key characteristics. Let’s start with the obvious: a good grant writer will have experience writing grant proposals in the industry and category you’re in.
Second, a good grant writer will have a clear process to understand, develop, and communicate with you effectively. If a grant writer does not have a clear methodology, it may be a sign that they do not have the experience to help you.
Finally, a grant writer will have a respectable fee. Good grant writers know that they can do a good job, and they charge accordingly. If your goal is to win a grant, saving money in this area can often limit your ability to hire someone who can actually help.
Q: How do I effectively manage a grant?
Effective management of a grant starts with a good policy. From the moment you identify the project you want funded, you should have good policies and procedures to support the proper collection and reporting of data.
Creating good policy at the beginning of the process will eliminate work later on. I see a lot of organizations that look for technology to solve their post-award challenges, but this approach rarely moves the needle. Trying to fix any process—like reporting—from the end is not a good use of time or money. If you’ve made a software purchase simply to replace an Excel spreadsheet, rather than improving the business practices that support grant acquisition and management along with it, you should reevaluate your approach.
Q: Is there a good time to pursue grants?
There are twenty-six federal grant-making agencies and thousands of grant-making foundations. They all have their own schedules. Understanding that most grants are resolicited is important to good timing. Eighty percent of federal funds are resolicited each year. If you are preparing your proposal and creating your plan when the notice comes out, you should reconsider and apply the following year.
The time you have between the notice date and the application due date is limited, so a good strategy is often waiting. With a stronger, more competitive landscape for grants, be smart about how you invest your time and resources. Apply when you’re well prepared and ready.
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2016 Q4 ISSUE COSTTREE CAPTURE. 31
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