How to Start a Grant Writing Consulting Business
Grants are time sensitive and require writing skills tailored to the grantor and grantee requirements. Business failures, of all types, are the result of not being well prepared. In this article, you will learn how to lay the groundwork before opening your doors.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Assess your capabilities and work style. Examine your previous experience in the corporate world and any experience you have had working independently. Write the honest answers to the following questions in a notebook or a computer file: Can you do your work, on deadline, without the corporate structure? Can you plan your time wisely and focus on the work required? How much do you know about writing successful grant proposals? How much grant writing experience do you have? How successful have your grants been?
-
2
Research the market. Determine what kind of clients your business will serve, whether small businesses, non-profits, large businesses or individuals, and what industry you will target. Do you have experience in a certain industry? Do you have experience with writing grants for a particular type of market? Visit your area chamber of commerce's website and review their member directory. Are there potential clients for your grant writing business locally or within reach of your marketing efforts?
-
-
3
Prepare professional materials. You will need business cards; a profile sheet listing your background, qualifications and references; letterhead and envelopes; and a website. All materials should be consistent in graphics, colors and design.
-
4
Search available grant resources relevant to your market. Non-profits are the primary recipients of grants; however, grants are available for businesses and individuals. Sources such as the Foundation Center and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance provide a base from which to start researching public and private grants. Most federal grants are passed through state agencies. For grants specific to your state, visit your state's website and search for grants through the state budget or commerce offices.
-
5
Network. Use all of your contacts, including former employers, co-workers, friends and neighbors, to announce your grant writing business intentions. Research local networking organizations whose members fit your market profile. For small businesses, look for business owner associations such as the National Association of Women's Business Owners. For non-profits, investigate your state's chapter of the National Council of Nonprofits. Attend meetings with business cards in hand. Follow up with a description of your grant writing experience and potential grants for which your new contacts might qualify.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Keep your self-assessments, business and marketing plans, research results and networking contacts together in a notebook or filing system. Also maintain copies of the work you submit for your clients in a notebook or file.
If you do not have the discipline to work without supervision or the knowledge and experience necessary to write successful grants, you should not attempt to start a grant writing consulting business.
