When to Grow Your Grants Team

Grant writing is a team effort. And, hiring a grant consultant can be a smart addition to your team. What should inform your decision to use a grant consultant? Consider these questions:

• Do you feel like you are chasing grants instead of following a clear strategy for funding priorities?

• Is your time stretched to the point of producing less-than-your best work?

• Are you clipping and pasting grant narratives for multiple applications?

If you nodded your head to any of these questions, consider chatting with a grant consultant. A consultant can contribute fresh perspectives to identify alignment with funders, write compelling narratives, and strengthen competitiveness of applications. They expand capacity of your organization but do not replace internal ownership.

How will it work? Consistent grant success depends on how well a nonprofit’s staff and consultant work together. Per the National Council of Nonprofits, it is recommended to have a written agreement or contract to outline scope of work such as deliverables, communication routines, and accountability measures. Staff may be best suited for gathering program data, creating budgets, stewarding funder relationships, and maintaining the grants calendar. When each person understands their roles, your organization moves from reactive grant seeking to proactive grant strategy.

Expect clarity, collaboration and communication from your consultant. Request regular check-ins to review strategy, execution and deadlines.

Evaluate cost, continuity, and internal capacity before deciding whether to hire a grant writer, continue with a consultant, or pursue a hybrid model.

If anyone associated with your organization thinks that grants are just “write and submit,” educate them about the research, outcomes, reporting, and internal data gathering required to make an application competitive.

Nonprofit leaders who invest time in structuring their grant teams see measurable benefits: higher submission quality, stronger funder relationships, and more diversified funding streams.