Grant Writing Coach Reveals How to Charge for Your Grant Writing Services

In this episode, Holly Rustick explores a common dilemma for grant writers - why should they charge for their services when many nonprofits have limited budgets? She empathizes with this struggle, having faced it herself.
Paying grant writers on commission is not recommended for several reasons. Federal guidelines prohibit using budget funds committed before grant awards. Additionally, post-award budgets must align with project costs and fiscal reports to show fund usage. Commission payments conflict with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which require paying fundraising services when rendered. Grant writers create valuable products for nonprofits, whether or not the grant is awarded.
Holly outlines four strategies for leveraging grant applications:
Update and resubmit rejected applications, seeking feedback and reapplying in the next cycle.
Submit the grant to other solicitations.
Repurpose the application for various funding opportunities, like crowdfunding or solicitation letters.
Grant writing can provide clarity, unearthing new nonprofit insights.
To compensate grant writers, nonprofits can consider:
Fundraising events, even small-scale ones, contribute to compensation.
Using revenue from services or products diversifies funding streams.
Leveraging indirect cost rates within grant budgets, allocating up to 10% for non-grant-related expenses. In addition, writers can be hired as staff or consultants if grants are awarded, under titles like development coordinators or sustainability coordinators, given they meet the role's qualifications.
In summary, grant writers should be compensated for their work, not through commissions, which contradict best practices and accounting principles. Grant applications hold value, even if unfunded, and can be repurposed. Nonprofits can pay grant writers through fundraising, revenue diversification, or indirect cost rates within budgets.
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Have you discovered a passion for being a changemaker and want to make a phenomenal income while helping the world? Becoming a freelance grant writer or GROWING your freelance grant writing business is the perfect path for you. We are here to help you do just that as we have a ton of resources for you. A great place to start is our "Grant Writers: Become a Freelancer" Playlist
• Grant Writers: Become ...
We also have a four-part mini UA-cam course for freelance grant writers in the making:
1) The First Step to Becoming a Successful Freelance Grant Writer • The First Step to Beco... 2
2)How to Get Nonprofit Clients for your Grant Writing Business • The First Step to Beco...
3) Must Have Pricing and Packaging Strategies for Freelance Grant Writers • The Second Step is Get...
4) Foundations of Freelance Grant Writing: Clarity, Clients and a Lasting Impact • Final Step is Perfecti...
FREEDOM SEEKING CHANGEMAKERS:
Do you already have experience with grant writing and find yourself falling in love with the the idea of the freedom that accompanies working from home or your favorite cafe and want to make a full career out of it? Check out Holly’s Freelance Grant Writing Course. Grant Writer’s Guide to Freelancing: Get Paid to Write Better Grants! grantwritingan...
Or perhaps you’re really ready to COMMIT yourself to the freedom of a SUCCESFUL career in freelance grant writing and want the shortest and most direct path to success? Holly runs a mentorship program that opens applications a few times a year. Check out the comments or the website for more info on that.
Thanks for watching! Like, subscribe for our weekly releases and ask questions, we’re here to support you in helping the world while curating the life you want to lead.
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[@Captivatingndc]

Thank you for this video, very informative and well done!

[@babysloth14]

After receiving an inquiry about a full foundation grant proposal today I quoted them $400. They said they were hoping to only pay $30 😒 I dont have a lot of experience yet, but isn't that wildly off the mark?

[@RoyalTeaNation]

Have you ever been awarded grants from grants.gov? If so, what has been your experience?