Do you charge by the hour or by the job?

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A combination of both. Our fee is based on the number of hours an assignment requires. The following hourly rates are used to estimate costs:

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- $50/hr to research funding opportunities

- $65/hr to provide assistance on proposals

- $100/hr for grant writing services

- $150/hr for grant financial assistance and preparation

- $10,000- $20,000 for Comprehensive Plans (varies based on size and scope)

- $5,000-$10,000 Environmental Reviews (varies based on size and scope)

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Cost can vary depending on the project and length of time. A rough estimate is anywhere from $3500-$8000.

 

To put it in perspective, most people pay a fulltime grant writer $45,000 + $12,000 in fringe for a total of $57,000. These grant writers typically write only 3-5 grants per year. 

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With Grantworks, you get 5 expert grant writers working on your projects with the ability to write 8-12 grants per year. 

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Are your fees flexible?

Yes, under the following circumstances:

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- We may reduce hourly rate based on the organization size and budget

- If its a rush job we may have no choice but to increase fees to accommodate time constraints

- If meeting out of state we may add mileage with travel time billed at half-rate

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Can you guarantee success in procuring grants?

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No.

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 nonprofit's reputation, track record, and financial history.
Relationships: how well the funder knows and trusts the nonprofit'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.
 

A successful grant application requires not only a well written proposal, but other factors not in our control such as an agency's capability, solvency, program experience, and staff qualifications. No one can guarantee the outcome of a grant

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Do you write grants on contingency or commission?

No. It is against the Association of Fundraising Professional Code of Ethics. 

Fees for freelance proposal writers or Consultants 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.

 

How do we get started working with Grantworks?

Your first step is to prepare a consulting agreement including a description of the assignment and a maximum allowable cost. Once the agreement is signed by both parties, we go to work. 

 

How does the billing process work?

We require 50% up front and then 50% at grant submission. Invoices will be sent on a timely basis. To avoid a late fee, please mail your payment within 30 days.