Three Reasons Why You Should Work With A Professional Grant Writer
One of the most common questions I’m asked by prospective clients and grant writing workshop attendees is:
“Why should I hire a professional grant writer?”
If you’re asking this question too, you’ve come to the right place. With over 12 years’ experience in the grants game, here are my top three reasons why working with a professional grant writer might be a game changer for you in 2024.
Olivia Everitt delivering a grant writing master class ‘The Art of Grant Writing’ to grant seekers on the Fraser Coast (Gataker’s Art Space, Maryborough, December 2023)
You’re Not Alone!
As far as we know, only 11% of organisations in Australia are using external grant writers*. But as grants become increasingly more competitive (in just the last fortnight, I’ve seen two grant programs with a success rate of only 3%…ouch!) and staff/volunteer time is already stretched, many organisations are seeking external support to navigate the increasingly complex grants landscape. So, why work with a professional grant writer?
Reason #1: Experience
In a 2018 report commissioned by Our Community, ‘Grants in Australia’, the authors found that “Grant seekers who struggle to win many grants or as much income tend to have far less experience in the grants game” (p20), concluding that “It’s clear from our results that experience breeds a higher hit-rate” (p24).
The ‘hit-rate’, or ‘success rate’ of a professional grant writer is a complex, and at times controversial, measure of a grant writer’s individual skill. Surprisingly, for a professional field that relies heavily on data and research, there is limited literature on the grant writing vocation.
However, it’s been suggested that “the most qualified and experienced writers will achieve approximately 33%, while a rate of 50% is unusual and impressive”**. I’m pleased to have achieved success rates of above 50% on numerous occasions (56% - 2019/20, 62% - 2020/21, 67% - 2022/23), however we need to acknowledge this is not a hard and fast measure of a grant writer’s experience.
To gain an understanding of a grant writer’s experience, you may also like to ask:
Q: What kind of organisations have you worked for previously?
My Answer: Over the last 18 months alone, I’ve supported over 25 individuals, organisations and businesses across a broad range of sectors with grant writing expertise. I have worked with clients from the performing arts sector, not-for-profits and charities, manufacturing industry, community development sector, cultural festivals, chambers of commerce, grassroots sports clubs and everything in between.
I believe the formula and foundational skills to writing successful grants is transferrable across all industries.
Q: As well as writing grant applications, what other experience do you have in the grants landscape?
My Answer: As well as providing end-to-end grant writing services, I have also worked with organisations to develop, deliver and report on grant-funded projects - this includes managing grant funds, completing progress reports and submitting grant acquittals.
As a grant writer, it’s an advantage that I’ve also been involved in the grants assessing process. I have sat on both the Regional Arts Australia peer assessors group (2022-23) and Creative Australia pool of peer assessors (2021-ongoing). Additionally, I offer grant writing workshops!
Reason #2: Research
A great idea does not make a great grant application. This may burst your bubble, but it needs to be emphasised. It doesn’t matter how good your idea is, a good idea doesn’t equal a successful grant application. There’s a substantial amount of legwork that needs to be done before your big idea is ‘grant ready’.
Project plans, timelines, budgets, risk management plans, travel itineraries, letters of support, auspicing arrangements, public liability insurance, marketing strategies, community and stakeholder engagement, co-design…when you work with a professional grant writer, they can help you navigate all the ingredients that go into the the recipe for a successful grant.
A good professional grant writer should also understand the external funding landscape, which (if applying for governmant grants) may include government policies, strategic plans and government priorities relevant to your project, your organisation, and your sector.
Describing the context of your project and crafting compelling responses to grant criteria should be informed by relevant data, evidence and research. A professional grant writer should be highly skilled in identifying, researching and interpreting the most relevant information to strengthen your grant application.
Olivia Everitt delivering a professional development workshop ‘Grant Writing for the Arts’ in the South Burnett (Murgon, February 2023)
Reason #3: Resources
Businesses and organisations are increasingly under the pump when it comes to allocating resources - the people power needed to get the job done. In the grants game, “Organisations of all types say that ‘lack of resources’ is their biggest challenge when it comes to winning grants”***.
Put simply, in today’s busy world, organisations just don’t have the time needed for grant writing. Writing grant applications not only requires a specific skill set, but it’s also time intensive. Organisations may seek the help of a professional grant writer because they don’t have the capacity, time or staff resources to tackle grant writing internally.
Utilising an external grant writer can not only alleviate internal resourcing pressures, but also bring other advantages such as new perspective to your project. A professional grant writer should ask probing questions, identify opportunities to strengthen your project, and can act as an invaluable sounding board.
Reminder!
If you’re looking to engage a professional grant writer, please ensure you do your due diligence. This could include asking questions about their experience, how they approach the grant writing process and if necessary, contacting other grant writers for alternative information and quotes to ensure you identify the ‘best fit’ for your grant seeking needs and budget.
* “Grants in Australia: The secrets of success - An analysis of a national survey of Australian grantseekers”, Our Community Pty Ltd (August 2018), page 16.
** “Grant Writer Success Rates - The devil’s in the detail”, Thriive Consulting (July 2020).
*** “Grants in Australia: The secrets of success - An analysis of a national survey of Australian grantseekers”, Our Community Pty Ltd (August 2018), page 8.
