Grant research and writing play a crucial role in the sustainability and growth of nonprofit organizations. It’s the lifeline for securing the necessary funds to fulfill your mission and make a lasting impact on your community. One common dilemma that many nonprofits face is whether to handle grant writing in-house or hire a freelance grant writer. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of hiring a freelance grant writer, helping you make an informed decision for your organization’s grant-seeking journey.
Pros of Hiring a Freelance Grant Writer:
- Cost-Efficiency: One of the primary advantages of hiring a freelance grant writer is cost savings. Unlike hiring a full-time employee, a freelance grant writer doesn’t require a continuous presence on your payroll. You won’t be responsible for benefits, administrative costs, meetings, or other non-tangible expenses.
- Specialized Expertise: Freelance grant writers are specialists in their field. They possess specific skills in grant writing and are dedicated to finding funding opportunities for your organization. Their expertise can significantly enhance your chances of securing grants.
- Minimal Overhead: Freelance grant writers work independently and do not need office space, internet access, computers, utilities, or other resources typically required by in-house employees. This reduces your organization’s overhead costs.
- Productive Time: When you hire a freelance grant writer, you are paying for their productive working time. They are focused solely on grant writing, ensuring that your organization receives the best possible grant proposals.
Cons of Hiring a Freelance Grant Writer:
- Limited Integration: Freelance grant writers are not part of your organization’s staff team. They may not participate in staff meetings, team-building activities, or fully understand your organization’s culture and values. This can result in a lack of internal capacity building.
- Donor Relationship Management: While a freelance grant writer can handle the writing aspect, it is still your nonprofit’s responsibility to maintain donor relationships and the nurturing process. Don’t detach from donors just because someone else is writing your grants.
- Intellectual Property Concerns: Your nonprofit may risk losing intellectual property, as freelance grant writers are not obligated to retain your records indefinitely. It’s essential to have a system in place to secure and manage your grant-related documents, regardless of whether you hire internally or externally.
Deciding whether to hire a freelance grant writer or handle grant writing in-house is a crucial decision for any nonprofit organization. It’s essential to consider your organization’s specific needs, budget, and long-term goals when making this choice. Interview potential grant writers as though you were hiring a staff member, seeking someone who understands your mission and values. Recommendations from colleagues and exploring platforms like Fiverr, the American Grant Writers Association, the Grant Professional Association, Thumbtack, TaskRabbit, and Upwork can help you find the right fit for your organization’s grant-seeking endeavors. Remember, the ultimate goal is to secure the funding needed to make a meaningful impact on your community and fulfill your nonprofit’s mission.
For help with your non-profit’s marketing needs, email rebecca@givebackpw.org for more information.
