Grant Writing
Richelle Putnam is an experienced grant writer specializing in grant applications for artists and nonprofit arts organizations. She serves as the Community Arts/Arts Education Project Director for The Montgomery Institute and holds a BS in Marketing Management and an MA in Creative Writing. Her MA degree program incorporated extensive technical writing courses, including podcast writing and development, instructional how-tos, and grant writing. She interned with and received a Certificate of Completion from NASA for successfully completing the National Proposal Writing Evaluation Experience (NPWEE) program. She also earned a Professional Certificate in Grant Writing from IAP Career College.
Richelle has served on grant panels that reviewed and scored applications in various categories for the Mississippi Arts Commission and the Meridian Council for the Arts.
Grant Writing Services May Include:
Before the Application:
Needs Assessment
– Conduct a thorough analysis of your organization’s needs and project goals.
– Identify and match appropriate funding opportunities.
Grant Research
– Research potential grants and funding sources that align with your project.
– Create a database of suitable grants with deadlines and requirements.
Strategic Planning
– Develop a grant strategy and timeline.
– Outline project objectives, activities, and expected outcomes.
Pre-Application Consultation
– Discuss grant requirements and eligibility criteria.
– Provide guidance on gathering necessary documentation and data.
Budget Planning
– Assist in creating a detailed and realistic project budget.
– Ensure budget alignment with funder requirements.
During the Application
Proposal Development
– Draft compelling narratives and project descriptions.
– Highlight organizational strengths and past successes.
Application Completion
– Complete all required sections of the grant application.
– Ensure adherence to funder guidelines and formatting requirements.
Supporting Documents
– Compile and organize necessary supporting documents (e.g., letters of support, resumes, financial statements).
Review and Editing
– Conduct thorough reviews and edits for clarity, coherence, and impact.
– Proofread for grammar, punctuation, and consistency.
Submission
– Submit the completed application by the deadline.
– Confirm receipt of the application with the funder.
Final Reporting
Progress Reporting
– Prepare interim progress reports as required by the funder.
– Document project milestones and outcomes.
Final Report Preparation
– Compile final project reports, summarizing achievements, challenges, and financials.
– Ensure all funder-specific reporting requirements are met.
Evaluation and Feedback
– Evaluate the project’s success and gather feedback for future improvement.
– Provide recommendations for future grant applications based on outcomes and funder feedback.
Successful Grants
Grant Writing Fee Structure
Grant writing fees are influenced by the complexity of the grant application and the amount of time required for each service category. Here’s a detailed explanation of how these factors impact the fees:
Complexity of the Grant Application
Grant Size and Scope
– Larger grants with extensive funding amounts typically have more complex requirements, which can include detailed project plans, extensive supporting documentation, and stringent compliance measures. These factors increase the time and effort needed, thus raising the fees.
Application Requirements
– Some grant applications require in-depth research, comprehensive data collection, and intricate budget planning. Grants with multiple narrative sections, detailed budget justifications, and extensive appendices take longer to complete and review, affecting the fee structure.
Funder’s Specificity
– Grants from funders with specific guidelines, unique application portals, or precise formatting requirements can add complexity. Adhering to these precise standards requires additional time and meticulous attention to detail.
Required Hours for Each Service Category
Before the Application
– Needs Assessment and Grant Research: Time spent understanding your organization’s needs and identifying appropriate grants can vary. Thorough research to find the best funding opportunities involves significant hours, especially for niche projects or less common grants.
– Strategic Planning and Pre-Application Consultation: Developing a strategic plan and consulting on the application process can be time-intensive, particularly for organizations new to grant writing or those with multifaceted projects.
During the Application
– Proposal Development and Application Completion: Drafting and completing the application’s narrative and other sections depend on the grant’s requirements. High-detail proposals with multiple drafts and revisions require more hours.
– Supporting Documents and Review: Collecting and organizing documents, as well as reviewing and editing the application for coherence and adherence to guidelines, also adds to the required hours.
Final Reporting
– Progress and Final Reports: Preparing interim and final reports requires tracking project progress and compiling comprehensive summaries. Detailed final reports with specific funder requirements demand more hours of work.
Fee Structure
Hourly Rate
– Fees can be structured on an hourly basis, reflecting the time spent on each service category. More complex applications requiring extensive work will result in higher overall costs due to the increased number of billable hours.
Flat Rate
– For certain projects, a flat fee can be negotiated based on an estimated number of hours needed, considering the grant’s complexity. This provides a predictable cost for the organization while ensuring all necessary services are covered.
Retainer
– A retainer arrangement can be set up for ongoing grant writing services or multiple grant applications. This arrangement involves a pre-agreed number of hours each month dedicated to your organization’s grant writing needs.
Example Fee Breakdown
Simple Grant Applications
Smaller grants with straightforward requirements might only require basic research, a concise proposal, and minimal supporting documents. Due to fewer required hours, these grants could be billed at a lower rate.
Moderately Complex Applications
– Mid-sized grants with moderate requirements, such as more detailed narratives and a larger number of supporting documents, would incur higher fees due to the increased time spent.
Highly Complex Applications
– Large grants with extensive requirements and strict guidelines would demand the most time and effort, resulting in higher fees to reflect the complexity and hours required.
By aligning fees with the complexity and hours needed for each service category, I ensure a fair and transparent pricing structure that reflects the value and effort involved in securing the necessary funding for your projects.