• Non-profit organizations need funds to operate. Sometimes donors find them on their own, but a good portion of most group's operating funds as a result of submitting proposals for grant funds. Larger organizations have grant writers on staff; smaller organizers hire freelancers to prepare their proposals.

• Grant writers need excellent writing skills, but good writing alone is not enough. You also need:

1. Project management knowledge
   • As a grant writer, you need to be able to take the client's program, and detail how the funds will be used, the timing of the disbursements, and the results that will be achieved at each step of the project.
2. Ability to match proposals with donors
   • You'll need to be able to understand the project, research appropriate funding services, and be able to tailor the proposal to the specific organization.
3. Organizational skills
   • Grant applications usually have strict deadlines and detailed requirements. As a grant writer you need to keep track of all the details as you seek to obtain funding for your client.

• Although you can pay for local or online courses on grant writing, there are free resources online. Some to start out with are:
  • Minnesota Council on Foundations: Writing a Successful Grant Proposal
  • Foundation Center: Proposal Writing Short Course
  • US EPA: Tips On Writing a Grant Proposal

• Grant writers can work for a variety of non-profits, including community-based organizations, universities and colleges, health care groups, and other institutions that utilize grants as a funding source.

1. Make a list of potential client organizations in your area, and develop contacts within these organizations, letting them know of your availablity.
2. Volunteer to develop proposals for charitable organizations you regularly support to gain experience.
3. Join a professional group. Organizations such as the American Association of Grant Professionals has a job database that is available to members.

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