Start your online business · Side hustles · 3 min read
How to Become a Freelance Grant Writer
Short answer
To become a freelance grant writer, learn how grants work (funders, proposals, budgets, reporting), take a grant writing course or volunteer with a nonprofit to get real experience, build a portfolio of proposals, then market to nonprofits, schools and small organizations. Charge flat project or hourly fees; professional ethics codes discourage taking a percentage of the grant awarded.
Grant writing combines persuasive writing, research and project planning. Nonprofits, schools, research groups and some small businesses rely on grants, and many can't afford a full-time grant writer. That creates steady demand for freelancers.
What grant writers do
- Research funders: foundations, government agencies, corporate giving programs
- Read guidelines carefully: eligibility, priorities, deadlines, formatting
- Write proposals: need statement, program description, goals and outcomes, evaluation plan, organizational background
- Prepare budgets and budget justifications with the client
- Gather attachments: financial statements, letters of support, board lists
- Submit through funder portals
- Support reporting after an award
Much of the work is project management and collaboration with program staff.
Skills that help
- Clear, persuasive writing
- Attention to detail (one missed requirement can disqualify a proposal)
- Research skills
- Basic budgeting and comfort with numbers
- Interviewing staff to gather program details
- Deadline management
Step 1: Learn the basics
Options include grant writing courses from universities, community colleges and online platforms, plus free resources from funders and nonprofit support organizations. Government grant portals and foundation websites publish detailed guidelines that are an education in themselves.
Step 2: Get real experience
Hands-on experience matters more than certificates.
- Volunteer with a local nonprofit on a small grant.
- Assist an experienced grant writer.
- Work in a nonprofit role that involves development or fundraising.
Ask permission to use proposals (or redacted versions) as portfolio samples.
Step 3: Build your portfolio and positioning
Choose a focus. Funders and nonprofits value specialists:
- Education
- Health and human services
- Arts and culture
- Environmental organizations
- Research and universities
- Small business and economic development
Prepare a few writing samples, a simple website or LinkedIn profile and a list of services: full proposals, funder research, editing, reporting.
Step 4: Find clients
- Local nonprofits and community foundations
- Nonprofit networks and associations
- LinkedIn outreach to executive directors and development staff
- Freelance marketplaces
- Referrals from accountants, consultants and board members who work with nonprofits
Step 5: Price ethically
Common models:
- Hourly for research, editing and consulting
- Flat fee per proposal, based on complexity
- Monthly retainer for organizations with ongoing grant calendars
The Grant Professionals Association's code of ethics discourages commission or percentage-based compensation, and many funders don't allow grant money to pay for proposal writing. Clarify this upfront. It protects your reputation and the client's relationship with funders.
Step 6: Manage expectations
You can't guarantee awards. Funders receive far more applications than they can support. Promise quality, compliance and deadlines, not outcomes. Track your proposals and results honestly.
Building a sustainable practice
- Keep a calendar of recurring funder deadlines for each client.
- Reuse boilerplate (organization history, mission, staff bios) and update it yearly.
- Offer post-award reporting to build long-term relationships.
- Consider the GPC credential once you have enough experience.
Tools that help
Grant writers juggle deadlines, documents and requirements for several clients at once. A shared calendar of funder deadlines, a project management board for each proposal, cloud document folders with consistent naming, and a checklist template for each funder's requirements prevent last-minute panics. Some writers also subscribe to grant databases to research funders efficiently; costs vary, so check whether your clients already have access. Keep a library of approved boilerplate text for each client, such as mission statements, history and staff bios, and update it at least once a year so proposals start from accurate information.
Is it worth it?
For writers who like research and mission-driven work, grant writing can be rewarding and reliable. It pairs well with other freelance writing services. For related paths, see how to become a copywriter, the best sites for freelance writers and freelance websites for side hustles.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a certification to be a grant writer?
No certification is required. Credentials like the Grant Professional Certified (GPC) designation exist for experienced professionals and can add credibility later.
Can grant writers be paid a percentage of the grant?
Professional associations such as the Grant Professionals Association consider commission-based pay unethical, and many funders don't allow grant funds to pay for writing fees. Flat or hourly fees are standard.
Is grant writing a good side hustle?
It can be, especially if you have writing skills and nonprofit experience. Deadlines can be intense and income is project-based.
Sources and further reading
Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.