Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you work for contingent fees, a commission or a percentage?
I work on an hourly or flat rate. As with doctors, lawyers and other professionals, you are paying for a service to be performed.
Grant preparation costs or fees often cannot be paid from grant funds, either as foundation policy or a matter of law (as with government grants). Thus, contingent fees or fees paid from the grant itself are unethical or illegal. (I can think of no foundation that will allow proposal preparation cost to be charged against the grant.) Grant preparation costs and fees are usually paid from other agency resources, such as individual donations, reserves, indirect cost recovery, etc.
Do you guarantee your work?
I will use all of the resources at my disposal to prepare a proposal that will make the best possible case for your project. However, funding can never be guaranteed; there are too many variables that are outside my control.
Can you recommend a free or volunteer grant writer?
"The workman is worthy of his hire." Or, you get what you pay for.
Do you ever work for businesses or individuals?
Generally not. TV (and other) ads touting grants for individuals or businesses are, at best, misrepresentations. The vast majority of grants are made to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations or public agencies, not businesses or individuals. (Exceptions to this rule involve grants to artists and researchers, educational support such as scholarships and fellowships, and various alternative energy, research and technology project concepts.)
Low-income people may qualify for certain grants and low interest loans for weatherization assistance, home repair, first-time home purchase, etc. These funds are administered by local agencies, who will assist with paper work. Contact your local city or county community development or housing department to check eligibility.
How much will a grant proposal cost to prepare? Does the amount being requested affect the fee?
The client has the option of an hourly or flat rate. An hourly rate may result in an overall lower expense, but a flat rate provides certainty of costs. Flat rates usually range from $1,500 to $7,000 depending on the complexity of the project, complexity of the funder's requirements/process, and the degree to which program design has been completed and is "proposal ready."
The amount of the request is not a factor in determining a flat rate charge.
What are your expectations of the client?
I require ready access to the staff experts involved in the project. This includes:
  • Program managers
  • Program staff: the people who work with the clients
  • Finance and accounting staff
  • Executives who approve the application
I will also need access to a number of documents:
  • financial statements
  • budgets
  • annuals reports
  • strategic and business plans
  • descriptive materials related to your agency's history, philosophy, needs and programs
  • statistical and demographic information about your clients
  • list of the Board of Directors, their employer and job title, and relevant affiliations. In some cases, foundations also request contact information for the Board President or the entire Board. I will not contact Board members unless they directly participate in program design.
What is your preferred mode of communication?
Face-to-face meetings are always best for the beginning of a project, and my understanding of a project is always enhanced by a site visit. E-mail is excellent for asking simple questions and communicating bits of information, but complex ideas and issues need to be discussed in person or on the phone.
What experience do you have in grant management?
I am not a grant manager and do not offer those services.
What training do you have in writing proposals?
I have a Master's Degree in Arts Management (which includes graduate level credits in planning, evaluation and grant writing) and a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Oregon; and continuing education credits in "Seeking USAID Grants, CAs and OTs."
What is your primary area of grant writing expertise?
I have written successful proposals for a wide variety of human services at the local, regional and international level. Program areas include health, homeless/low-income services, housing services, HIV/AIDS, child welfare, veteran's services, intellectual/developmental disabilities, mental health, and addiction recovery.
What are the main types of funders you have approached?
Local, regional and national private foundations, corporate foundations and corporate giving programs, faith-based foundations, U. S. government (USAID, PEPFAR, HRSA, VA).
What experience do you have in the area of grant seeking? What experience do you have in how to research and find funders to meet our agency's needs?
See here.
What are some examples of grants you have obtained?
See here.
I'm confused by the many acronyms in grant writing. What do they mean?
Acronyms seem to be a necessary evil. Government agencies even encourage their use. Here is a list of common acronyms.
Do you have a special relationship with funders?
I have no "special relationships" with funders. I rely upon creating high quality, technically correct proposals that enable clients to be considered for funding. Funders typically do not know of my involvement and I attempt to be transparent in the proposal process.
Do you offer grant writing seminars?
No. Grant writing is a specialized form of technical writing that takes exceptional writing skills, an understanding of strategic planning, evaluation, program development, human service program delivery, and the ability to write under on a deadline; skills that cannot be taught in a four hour seminar.
I'm thinking about setting up a nonprofit corporation. When should I start looking for grants?
It takes the IRS several months to issue a Letter of Determination of tax exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code. (See Section 501(c)(3) Organizations for more information.) Since foundations will require proof of tax exemption (in the form of a Letter of Determination), there is no point in conducting grant research or submitting proposals until you have the Letter in hand.
However, if you are working with an existing non-profit who is willing to act as your fiscal agent, you may be able to secure a grant (from a limited field of funders) before you receive your 501(c)3 letter. The grant is actually made to the fiscal sponsor, who will be responsible for administering the funds.