Ten Ways to Get Involved with Grant Writing Without Writing
- Pat Kelsaw
- Apr 22, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 29, 2024
You’re just curious about the grant writing process, but
don’t want to be a grant writer, there are several ways to
get involved. Whether you are a nonprofit leader or you
serve as a volunteer member of the nonprofit’s board, you
have a critical role in and are primarily responsibility for
the organization’s fiduciary strength and sustainability.
And for staff working in the nonprofit sector, you also play
a responsibility for the organization’s sustainability, tasked
with the development, implementation, monitoring, and
reporting of a program’s success. Finding opportunities to
work on grant proposals should be easy because nonprofits are continually seeking grant opportunities. In other words, grant or proposal writing for a nonprofit tends to be a situation in which every available person is needed or called to assist in building a successful team. If you don’t feel that you have an interest in or time for actually writing a grant, yet your work involves the nonprofit sector, you can be an asset! Learning about the grant writing process and what it entails is a tremendous benefit to the organization. There are several ways to become involved in the grant writing process without actually writing the grant yourself. How will you contribute?
Here are some volunteer as well as paid/income opportunities:
1. Research Assistance: Do you like data? Follow health trends? Help gather
pertinent information and data that will be included in the grant proposal.
Collecting data and reporting on potential trends is an essential task to support
the proposal’s need in your community.
2. Proofreading and Editing: Do you pay attention to details in reading your own
or someone else’s writing? Offer to review and edit drafts of the proposal for
clarity, grammar, and coherence. Does the proposal make sense? Is it easy to
follow and does it capture a reader’s attention? After editing a few, you will
quickly learn the flow, typical structure, and content. Proposal editing will also
enable you to learn about the missions and capabilities of individual nonprofits,
project areas, and funder interests.
3. Project Development: Do you have program ideas? Are you a visionary? Find
ways to contribute ideas for project development and refinement to strengthen
the proposal. Nonprofit or project staff, your knowledge of the organization,
service gaps and possible solutions will make it easier to contribute valuable
insight to proposals.
4. Budgeting Assistance: Have a passion for numbers? Assist in developing
budgets and financial plans for the proposed project. Having a comfort level
and an ability to address the proposal’s budgetary requirements supports the
proposal’s financial needs and the organization’s ability to be fiscally
responsible.
5. Networking: Have an extensive social & professional network? Connect the
grant writer or the nonprofit’s leadership with potential collaborators or
stakeholders who can provide financial support or in-kind services for the
proposal. Collect letters of support, if needed, from legislators, community
leaders, clients/consumers, donors, etc.
6. Grant Reviewer: Interested in reading and learning about what other
nonprofits are doing in the field? Do you consider yourself a subject-matter
expert (SME)? Volunteer to serve as a grant reviewer for organizations or
funding agencies, which will give you valuable insight into the grant evaluation
process. You might be able to help nonprofits needing assistance with
proposals related to your expertise. Want to apply your technical knowledge to
grant writing, and get paid for your time? It’s worth trying to learn who the
dominant funders are in your field – particularly from the federal government.
Several departments recruit, train and provide monetary compensation (varies
by department, funding, and need) to become a grant reviewer.
7. Training and Workshops: Have a thirst for learning? Attend workshops or
training sessions on grant writing to gain knowledge and skills that can be
shared with your grant writing team, your board members, and other
community stakeholders/partners/advocates.
8. Grant Management: Have strong administrative management skills? Offer to
help with post-award activities such as project management, reporting, and
compliance.
9. Graphics: Like to create appealing visuals, graphs, and charts? Your skills can
assist the grant writers and those reviewing grants with a visual interpretation
of data or engaging program activities to enhance the proposal’s narrative.
10. Search for Funding Opportunities: Want to learn about the world of
philanthropy - who funds what, why, when, and how? Look for funders with a
similar mission providing the organization with information on the application
guidelines, eligibility requirements, and the funder’s review, scoring process
and previous awardees.
By engaging in these activities, you can support the grant writing process and
contribute to the success of grant-funded projects. For current nonprofit employees,
you should have opportunities to contribute directly to a proposal effort. Working as a
staff member for a grant-funded project is the most common path for learning more
about grants. Once you’ve worked on several proposals and your level of participation
increases, you can market your skills and experience to other organizations or use
them in a new role at your existing organization.
After you have mastered aspects of proposal development and grant-seeking, you
may find an opening to move into grant writing! If you already work for a nonprofit,
you may be able to segue into a grant writing role with your current employer –
limitless possibilities await you if you are open to learning and making a lasting impact
in communities.
Thanks to those who joined me at Big Mama's Table for "Diversifying Your Fundraising Toolbox!" Thanks in advance for sharing this resource with others!
Join me at my next Big Mama’s Table:
“Grant Ready: Assessing Your Nonprofit’s Fundability” – A Preview
Date: Saturday, June 22, 2024
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 (ET)
Location: Virtual and FREE!
From Big Mama’s Playbook:
Did you know:
By 2061, Generation X (1965-1980) and Millennials (1981-1995) will inherit $59
trillion in wealth from their Boomer (1946-1964) parents/other adults.
This philanthropic power will make them the most significant donors in the history of
philanthropy.
Grant Tip: Determine your organization’s readiness to tap into building an individual and major donor base, while continuing to develop grant revenue. Diversify your funding!
Are you new to fundraising and grant writing?
Free 1-hour webinar:
Find out what it takes BEFORE you begin asking for money from donors or funders!
Join me at this free 1-hour informational session to preview my upcoming three-part
course- “Grant Ready: Assessing Your Nonprofit’s Fundability”.
What are some initial steps non-profits should take BEFORE the writing process even
begins? By sharing my experience and background in philanthropy, as a program officer, grant writer, and a grant reviewer, you’ll learn what nonprofits need to build sustainability.
“Grant Ready: Assessing Your Nonprofit’s Fundability” – A Preview
Date: Saturday, June 22 nd - 1:00 – 2:00 EST
*Featured Grant Opportunities This Week:
Community:
(new) BrooklynOrg (formerly Brooklyn Community Foundation) is a network of changemakers
who believe that Brooklyn, New York, invites applications from local organizations. Provides
multi-year, general operating support of up to $45,000 per year, for up to three years in support of organizations that advance racial justice and provide critical resources to BIPOC and other groups who have been historically disempowered and discriminated against across Brooklyn. Deadline: Initial applications received by May 15, 2024, will be invited to submit a full proposal in June 2024, with funding awarded in December 2024.
(new) An affiliate of the San Diego Foundation, the Ramona Community Foundation (RCF) aims to enhance the quality of life for those who live, work, and play in the Ramona region. Funding may be used to expand existing programs, replicate programs tested in other communities, or to launch totally new efforts. Grants ranging from $1,500 to $10,000.
Deadline: May 30 th 5:00 PM PST
The U.S. Bank Foundation’s Community Possible Grant Program supports nonprofit
organizations in U.S. Bank’s 26-state geographic scope: AZ, AR, CA, CO, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY,
MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NM, NC, ND, OH, OR, SD, TN, UT, WA, WI, and WY
Grants are provided in a number of areas. From the website: “New and emerging
organizations bring balance to our grant making through our Letter of Interest (LOI)
application. Nonprofit organizations new to the U.S. Bank Foundation may submit an LOI at
any time during the year.”
Education:
Grants facilitate hands-on STEM activities for North Carolina students. The Burroughs
Wellcome Fund’s Student STEM Enrichment Program supports diverse programs in North
Carolina that enable primary and secondary students to participate in creative, hands-on STEM activities and pursue inquiry-based exploration. After-school programs are demonstrating value in helping to close opportunity gaps for underserved and underrepresented students. Grant awards provide up to $60,000 per year for three years.
Deadline: June 11, 2024
The NEA Foundation invites applications for its Learning and Leadership grants. Learning and Leadership grants are intended to provide resources for educators hoping to engage in
professional learning that can be implemented in their classrooms. Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded in support of the professional development of NEA members.
Deadline: May 1, 2024
Health/Safety/Environment:
(new) The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment is administering the
California Hazardous Waste Protection Fund, a grants program providing support to
disadvantaged communities working on issues related to hazardous waste and toxins across
the state. Established nonprofit organizations are encouraged to seek grants in the range of
$20,000 to $25,000. The foundation also welcomes proposals from small grassroots
conservation and environmental justice groups, but the requested amount should be in the
$5,000 to $7,500 range and not exceed 25 percent of the organization’s typical annual
expenses.
Deadline: Applications accepted throughout the year until April 2025 or when funds are
exhausted.
CareQuest Institute for Oral Health seeks to address oral health disparities “by investing
strategically and providing collaborative, capacity-building support…” CareQuest Institute is
offering two calls for proposals focused on oral health:
Veteran Oral Health - Funding will be provided for ten projects addressing system-level barriers to oral health for veterans. The School-Based and School-Linked Initiatives grants will be provided for ten projects that are engaging schools to address oral health, inclusive of access, for children and their families. Grant awards up to $125,000
Deadline: May 1, 2024
Women/Girls:
The Lalor Foundation funds initiatives that bring women information and access to reproductive health care, contraception, and pregnancy termination to help broaden and enhance their options in life. Grants awarded through the program typically range between $10,000 and $35,000, with an average grant size of between $15,000 and $25,000.
Deadline: Concept papers are due by May 1, 2024, and selected applicants will be invited to
submit a full proposal.
People with Disabilities:
(new) The Borealis Philanthropy Disability Inclusion Fund (DIF) supports U.S.-based groups led by people with disabilities, disabled people of color, disabled queer and trans folks, building a more liberatory world free from ableism. Grants of $75,000 per year for two years will be awarded.
Deadline: May 29, 2024
*This listing primarily focuses on regions of the country and targets communities: urban/suburban/rural where I have lived or worked, or other places that touch my life – where I know people are working hard to make a difference. And besides regional and state-specific grants, national and Federal grant opportunities related to the health and well-being of communities and families will also be included in this listing.
*Featured Career Opportunities:
Fellowship Opportunities, the Rotary Foundation awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders (50 fellowships for master’s degrees and up to 80 for certificate studies
designed for working professionals) from around the world to study at one of its peace
centers.
*(listings included here are not a personal endorsement or for promotional purposes, just sharing…)
Weekly wisdom, in their own words:
“While we do our good works let us not forget that the real solution lies in a world in which
charity will have become unnecessary....”
— Chinua Achebe (1930 - 2013)
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