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Step 1
Assign a small committee to help and direct the grant writer. The grant writer should know who to go to for specific type of questions.
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Step 2
Only hire grant writers that are willing to have a meeting with the grant writing committee. The right grant writer for your organization will want to get to know the project the grant is for and the reasons around it. Grant reviewers can easily spot what they call “fake grant proposals” meaning proposals that was not overseen by the organization seeking funds.
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Step 3
Let the grant writer know what you expect from them and talk to them about what they are comfortable with. Grant writers can research funding opportunities for the organization. Write proposals for the foundation and fill out applications. They may also review pre-submitted applications and proposals, help form business plans, write annual budget, and train staff. Make sure the grant writer knows that they are part of a group not a individual.
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Step 4
Make sure tasks are delegated and done in a timely manner. For example, if a focus group needs to be completed your grant writer may or may not need to be there but they will need a copy of the minutes in a timely manner.
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Step 5
Allow as much time as possible for preparation of the proposal. Do not expect the writer to be a miracle worker, it takes time to prepare and write a successful grant.
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Step 6
View drafts of the proposal before the it is complete, so you can make changes and catch errors in detail before they get to big. When groups tend to rely to much on a grant writer, they may end up with details in a grant project they do not or can not complete.
