How To Hire the Best Grant Writer for Your Needs

Are you looking to hire a grant writer? This guide will help you understand what grant writers do, discuss the different types of grant writers you can choose from, offer helpful information you should know before you hire a grant writer, and go over how to hire the best grant writer for your needs.

What does a grant writer do?

A grant writer plays a pivotal role as an expert in the often intricate process of writing grant proposals for non-profit and research organisations seeking funding for their programs or projects. Their expertise can be the key to unlocking the financing you need.

Grant writers are hired to research and submit grant proposals to government agencies, universities, religious groups, foundations, corporations, and other grant-granting organisations.

Choosing the right grant writer for your needs is not just important; it's essential. In March of 2023, the Grant Professionals Organization (grantprofessionals.org) estimated that the ratio of grants awarded to the total number submitted is between 10% and 30%. A grant writer’s knowledge and experience can secure the funding you need.

Organisations hiring grant writers often look for someone who specialises in and has experience submitting and winning grants from the type of organisation or organisation category they are pursuing.

Writing a grant writer job post

Creating an effective job post can help you attract the best grant writers for your project. Let’s look at some of the most important details to write a compelling job post communicating your needs.

Job post title

The best job post titles are straightforward and describe precisely what you want. Target keywords your ideal candidate will likely type into a job search bar. Consider these examples:

• Grant writer: The grant writer must submit a grant proposal for an early childhood education initiative.
• Nonprofit grant writer: The grant writer needed to help secure funding for a national NGO focusing on clean drinking water.
• Government grant writer: Seeking a grant writer experienced in federal government grant funding and compliance.
• Small business grant writer: A grant writer is needed for economic and small business development grants.
• Scientific grant writer: A grant writer is needed for academic and scientific research grant proposals.
• Experienced grant writer: 501c3 business seeking experienced grant writer with funding ideas.

Project description

An adequate grant writer project description should cover the following areas:

• Scope of work: List all the deliverables you’ll need, from researching grant opportunities to submitting a grant proposal that precisely follows all regulatory guidelines.
• Project length: Indicate if the project is small or large; give quantifying detail when possible.
• Background: Mention the type of grant writing experience you’d like the grant writer to have.
• Budget: Set a budget and include your preference for hourly rates vs. a fixed-price contract.

Job Responsibilities

It's essential to be clear about the responsibilities of a grant writer. Everyday grant writer job responsibilities include:

• Grant researcher: Research grant opportunities that match the organisation’s goals.
• Develop proposal concepts: Work closely with the organisation to understand programs, objectives, budget needs, etc., and translate them into frameworks for grant proposals.
• Prepare and submit grants: Follow grant application instructions and meet proposal deadlines.
• Manage grants: Manage grant reporting and compliance requirements if awarded.

Qualifications

Be sure to offer specific qualifications you’d like the grant writer to have. For example, you could say:

• Proven track record: Grant writer has submitted and won scientific grants from the National Institute of Health (NIH).
• Research, data analysis and writing skills: The grant writer has researched, analysed data, culled concepts, and converted these details into winning grant proposals.
• Deadline management: Grant writer has experience setting and meeting grant submission deadlines.

Helpful information to know before you hire a grant writer

Make an informed hiring decision by understanding the role, demand, and costs of hiring a grant writer. Consider the following insights before hiring a grant writer.

The role of a grant writer

Professional and successful grant writers have various skills that nest together, orchestrating the entire grant writing process. Skills to consider include:

• Assessing your organisation’s needs and goals: A grant writer can spend time learning about your programs and funding needs.
• Researching and identifying grants: A grant writer can determine which grants offer funding that matches your organisational goals.
• Establishing project schedules and deadlines: Grant writers can set and deliver on grant submission schedules.
• Crafting a compelling grant proposal: Grant writers are articulate communicators skilled in crafting grant proposals that effectively communicate how an organisation’s need for funding fits within the goals of the organisation granting funds.
• Managing the process: Grant writers can track and meet deadlines for submitting grant proposals.
• Tending to regulations and compliance: Once the grant is won, a grant writer can ensure you comply with all of the grant's requirements.

Grant writer hiring demand in 2025

The demand for grant writers is expected to continue growing at the same rate as the demand for writers and authors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 10% growth rate for this profession through 2026, underlining the urgency of securing a grant writer for your needs. This growth in demand highlights the importance of acting now to secure a grant writer for your project.

The number of non-profit and charitable organisations dependent on grants is expected to remain stable or increase. Grant writing expertise is needed as funding sources shift from government agencies to private foundations and companies offering grant programs.

Organisations like the Grant Professionals Association are not concerned that AI tools will replace the need for grant writers. Grant writers bring specific and unique skills that can’t be replicated, including relational, emotional, and ethical value, as well as skills with collaboration. Their unique skills add significant value to the grant writing process.

The most common projects for grant writers. Grant writers are asked to work on a variety of projects. The most common requests for grant writers include requests supporting these five categories:

1. Science research: Scientific research often requires federal funding from the top federal government science research agencies, such as NIH, NSF, and NASA.
2. Community development: Community development programs submit grant proposals to local governments and non-profits to fund affordable housing, social services, and arts initiatives.
3. Healthcare programs: Health clinics and hospitals seek funding for non-profit public health outreach programs.
4. Education programs: School districts, charter schools, and other educational programs seek funding for special interest education programs.
5. Environmental projects: Organizations such as conservation non-profits, nature preserves, and universities seek funding for renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and wildlife protection programs.

Industries hiring grant writers

The top five industries requesting grant writers, in order of need, include:

1. Non-profit organisations: Charitable art, environment, and education organisations.
2. Higher education: Universities and colleges use grant writers to secure research and program funding.
3. Healthcare organisations: Hospital and community clinic systems hire grant writers to secure funding for public health-related programs.
4. Life sciences research institutes: Non-government research institutes, such as biotech, pharma, medical device companies, and research and development organisations, use grant writers to submit grants to government and private funding sources.
5. Government: State, county, and city governments hire grant writers to help secure funding for public programs.

The average cost of hiring a grant writer in 2025

Rates for hiring grant writers can vary depending on expertise and experience, location, and market conditions. The best grant writer for you will depend on the specifics of your organisation and project, for example:

• You have funding to cover an experienced grant writer: A professional grant writer with a track record winning grants may command higher fees but also work faster, have more specialised areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
• You lack budget but are still seeking quality: A contractor building a client base may offer quality results but price their grant writing services more competitively.

A median hourly rate for a grant writer on Rayness Analytica in 2025 is about $40 per hour. Typical rates charged by grant writers on Rayness Analytica are:

• Entry-level: $35 per hour
• Intermediate: $60 per hour
• Expert: $125 per hour

Hire a grant writer today.

Hire the best grant writer for your needs with a few easy steps. Take time to understand the grant writer’s role, be clear in your project requirements and research costs, write a job description that attracts the person most likely to help you win the funding you seek, and review your candidates’ particular experience and expertise.

No matter which qualities and experience you are looking for, you’ll find the professional you need on Rayness Analytica. The process is personalised, easy, and fast. Sign up and post a job today to find a quality grant writer.