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Stellar Grants,
Inc.
Facts and
Questions |
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One of the most common questions we get is the following: "Is it true that its almost impossible for an individual to get approved for a grant that is not associated with any nonprofit organizations?"
Yes and no. Grants and RFP’s are two entirely different things. If it is a grant, this statement can be very true! It is sometimes almost impossible for an individual to get approved for grants. However, an RFP is a Request for Proposal, in which the federal government issues their need for services/products, through a government website www.grants.gov.
The federal government has RFP procurement contracts they HAVE to give to small businesses under the 8A set-aside funds.
How Do You Evaluate What is a Good Grant Writer and whether or not you should hire one?
When it comes to measuring performance, most grant/RFP writing services would prefer to be evaluated on the quality of
their work. What to expect and/or how to evaluate a grant writer is as follows:
#1 - Referrals: Ask board members or colleagues.
Directories: This directory or others are excellent sources of information.
#2: Preliminary Screening
Basic Information: Request basic information from each firm. Find out generally what kinds of services they provide.
Detailed Information: Narrow the field to three or four candidates and arrange briefings with each.
#3: Request for Proposals
Proposal Content: After the briefing, request agreement proposals from each of the firms with whom you meet. Agreement Proposals should clearly state the costs, fees, services, and a preliminary schedule.
#4: Check References
Calling References: Always ask for references; always check them carefully. Ask the clients if they would hire the firm again.
#5: Chemistry
There are many ways of understanding a subject and of applying that knowledge when making a decision.
Impressions: Your personal impression of key staff people will influence your decision.
Objectivity: The search for a consultant should be as objective as possible.
Being Realistic: On the other hand, personal preferences are part of every professional relationship and every hiring decision. If you really do not relate well to someone when he or she is trying to impress you, chances are the relationship will not improve.
Professional Judgment: Instincts sometimes arise from wisdom. You should trust them but not allow them to overshadow the facts.
#7: Contracts
The contract is very important and should be specific and detailed. This is the best time to uncover and iron out expectations or potential misunderstandings. Sometimes, legal counsel should be consulted regarding appropriate terms and their use in the document. The following matters, as well as others recommended by the board or legal advisor, should be elucidated in detail in a contract or a letter serving as a contract.
Services: What services will be provided? When and how often will you receive reports, and what will they contain?
Schedule: Time period. If the period is expressed in days, how many hours is the day? If it is the grant/RFP/business plan writing, when will it start, and when will it be finished?
Fees: What specific professional fees will be billed? What is the billing schedule? What additional expenses will be reimbursed by the client, up to what amount? Fees should always be based upon services rendered.
Termination Clauses: Under what conditions may the agreement be terminated by either party?
Location: Where will the services be rendered, on-site or off-site?
Research grant-making organizations and analyze them to identify likely funding sources for specific grant
writing projects and programs.
Compile, write, and edit all grant applications exhibiting strong grant writing expository skills and a high- level
command of grammar and spelling.
Review the budget of a project or program for which funding is sought and make recommendations to better
present it to grant-making organizations.
Develop individual grant proposals in accordance with each grant-making organization's preferences and follow
exactly each grant-making organization's guidelines.
Keep in contact with grant-making organizations during their review of a submitted grant application in order to
be able to supply additional supportive material.
Manage the process of supplying progress reports when required by a grant-making organization that has
funded a project or program.
WHY AND HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY FOR A GRANT WRITING SERVICE OR GRANT WRITER?
Accomplished, experienced grant writing services and consultants are in demand and they are not cheap. Therefore,
you should do as much of the preparation work as possible yourself. This will allow you to spend your carefully
budgeted consulting dollars where they are really needed -- the actual grant writing. Also, the better prepared you
are, the more likely you will be to attract the best grant writers.
Before you engage a grant writer, you should already have:
- Defined the project or program you want to get funded.
- Developed your mission/objective.
- If possible, have researched and identified prospective grant sources for the project or program.
The government tries to help grantseekers and gives them these informative web links:
The Library of Congress give small business owners this funding information
This is a to do list of all that has to be in place for an individuals and individual with a small business needs to have to
secure federal/state funding
In the end, grant writing services and grant writers should be paid for their time and efforts by the hour or project,
whether or not the grant is received. I question whether an organization or small business owner unable to pay a fair
fees for work done is likely to survive.
WHAT DO YOU CHARGE VERSUS OTHER GRANT WRITING SERVICES OR GRANT WRITERS (OR
WHAT AM I GETTING FOR MY MONEY)?
Fees charged by grant writing services and grant writers will range far and wide. But from my experience and
research most reputable and capable grant writers charge about $60 per hour.
I've seen some fees in the area of $175 per hour and more, and then I have seen some very low fees - based on the
perspective of $45.00/hour. I believe that the $70 to $80 per-hour range is usual, and with the right person, it is fair
and reasonable.
Naturally, the hourly rate and the resulting total fee will be significantly impacted by the relative efficiency of each
grant writer. The hourly rate will also depend on the organization's level of preparation and prompt cooperation. It is one reason many grantwriters charge by the hour, not the project. A disorganized client can add many hours to the time necessary to prepare a proposal. Clients need to realize that their availability and cooperation with the grantwriter can keep their costs down.
Questions and Answers about Grant Writing Services and Commissions
Material provided by Goodwin Deacon, Ph.D., Founder,
Puget Sound Grantwriters Association
www.grantwriters.org/resources/ethics.htm
Fees for freelance grant writing services and proposal writers present a constant problem. At least once a week
someone asks, “Can I hire a proposal writer (or agree to work for an organization) for a percentage of the grants
awarded?” The answer, simply, is no. Commissions are considered unethical by almost all professional organizations
and funders. They are also a bad idea for both organizations and proposal writers.
Grantmakers frown upon contingency fees, and many will not fund your organization if they find out you pay
Consultants on this basis. Funders seldom allow a proposal writer’s fee to be included in the program budget.
Freelance grant writing services and proposal writers are professionals who are paid for their time and their
expertise, even if the proposal is not successful. They may be paid either by the hour or by the project.
“But how is that fair?” an organization may ask. “Why should we pay the proposal writer if we didn't get the grant?”
Proposals succeed or fail for a number of reasons, most of which are out of the writer’s control. Among these are:
The strength of the project: its feasibility, whether it meets a clear community need, and whether it has a well-planned
budget.
- How well the project fits the funder’s interests.
- The non-profit’s reputation, track record, and financial history.
- Relationships: how well the funder knows and trusts the non-profit’s Board and staff.
- Competition: how many other requests the funder has received.
- Funds and Timing: how much money the funder has available in this cycle.
- Finally, a key element is the quality and persuasiveness of the proposal. This is the part the writer controls, and
it is important. But even the most beautifully written proposal will fail if other factors are not in its favor.
We' are a small organization, just starting out. How are we supposed to pay a proposal writer if we don't have any
money?
If you don’t have any money, you’re not ready to apply for a grant. Grant writing services and/or hiring a grant writer
should never be an organization’s first dollar. You need to raise funds from individuals first: people who believe in
your organization and are willing to make a contribution to get you started.
You have goals, a vision and a clear picture of where you want your company/organization to be in 5 years, but don't have a clue how to get there? It is at that point, you need to seek answers that will keep you moving along your chosen path. It also then, that you should speak to a RFP/grantwriting consultant who can help provide answers, that won’t have you getting lost in the forest because of the trees. Stellar Grants, Inc. has the experience and training in helping you avoid wrong turns and bad decisions. The next time you wonder, “Are we headed in the right direction?” - seek out answers from an experienced and reputable RFP/grant writer or business consultant. Please make sure you get their references and/or speak to their past clients, and do NOT pay for anything until you do that. If it sounds too good to be true - then it probably IS to good to be true! |
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