Question 1

What services can you provide us?

Accepted Answer

Grant writers provide a range of services before and after receiving a grant, such as grant research, grant writing, donor cultivation, system improvement, and grant management. If you're unsure about what you need, you can check out our article "Is it Worth it to Hire A Grant Writer?"

Grant Writers for Health specializes in securing government, large (from $50,000 to $5,000,000), competitive, and multi-year grants for new projects, expansion projects, or from new funders. Our services include monthly grant writing, one-time federal grant writing, and grant research, which are considered pre-grant award activities. You can find descriptions and pricing on our Service page.

Question 2

What will it be like for us to work with you?

Accepted Answer

When you work with a grant writer agency, the experience will be different from working with an in-house grant writer or freelancer in some ways but similar in others. When working with an agency, you won't have to provide training, as we have a set project management system and grant writing workflow. However, working with an agency usually requires more pre-planning as they may not have the availability for quick turnaround projects. On the other hand, when working with an in-house grant writer, they will undergo your agency's training, work during your requested hours, and use your requested or in-house system. In both cases, you will receive customized solutions and have a caring and dedicated partner.

Grant Writers for Health understands how crucial it is for healthcare professionals to secure funding, as it can mean the difference between life and death. We will collaborate with you to schedule monthly meetings at a time that suits you, and we are always reachable via phone, email, or video as necessary. Our writers will become like members of your team.

Question 3

What’s your Why/ How did you get started?

Accepted Answer

Grant Writers for Health, formerly known as Sidnae Global Research, was founded in 2014 with the mission of creating healthier communities across America. We recognize the detrimental impact of redlining, discrimination, economic disinvestment, isolation, and racism on communities, leading to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. We believe that grants have the power to bring about positive change by encouraging community-wide investments, with just one grant having the potential to spark transformation.

Question 4

What’s the difference between a generalist and a specialist grant writer?

Accepted Answer

When looking for a grant writer, you can choose between a generalist and a specialist. Each has its pros and cons. A generalist has a broad knowledge base, which is great for nonprofits offering multiple services like housing, food, health, and employment. However, it may take them time to understand your specific needs. On the other hand, a specialist is well-trained or experienced in a particular area. Their expertise can assist with program development, finding suitable funders, and understanding industry trends. The downside is that they may be less flexible outside their area of expertise.

Grant Writers for Health has a professional and educational background in healthcare and public health. We invite health centers looking to hire a grant writer to visit our Learning Lab’s “Find A Grant Writer” section, where we have several articles on how to find a grant writer, job boards, qualifications, and a sample job description. https://www.nonprofitcurrency.com/learning-lab/categories/hire-grant-writer

Question 5

What types of nonprofits do you have experience working with?

Accepted Answer

We support health centers, federally qualified health centers, look-alikes, hospitals, and 501 c3 nonprofits that provide healthcare services as a core mission. We also work with healthcare/med-tech entrepreneurs who provide healthcare services directly to patients. All of the organizations we work with are US-based, serve US patients, have been established for three years or more, and have or are building a significant presence in their communities. You can find other grant-writing companies at https://grantprofessionals.org/search/custom.asp?id=5900.

Question 6

What is your Grant Writing success rate?

Accepted Answer

The national success rate for grant writing is estimated to be between 10-30% annually for a single application, considering both new and established nonprofits. According to the 2023 State of Grant Seeking Report, out of over 2,400 survey respondents who submitted only one grant application, 64% were awarded grants.

Beyond “win rate,” there are other factors you should consider when assessing whether a grant writer will be successful for you. We have outlined some in our article, What is Grant Writing Success Rate 7 Key Performance Metrics.

Grant Writers for Health’s average success rate is 65% for first-time applications to new funders and 90% when submitting between 2 and 3 applications. Our average return on investment ranges from $21.00 to $42.00 for every $1.00 spent. We have never missed a deadline or had a grant rejected due to an incomplete application.

Question 7

How long will it take for you to write us a grant proposal?

Accepted Answer

Short Answer:1 to 2 months

Long Answer: Preparing a grant proposal involves several essential steps. It usually begins with finding a grant opportunity and evaluating whether it aligns with your organization's mission, funding needs, and the expectations of the funder. Both the funder and the applicant must see the value in partnering together. This process of identifying and assessing the “fit” of a grant can take a few hours or a few days.

The next step is program design, a collaborative effort between the organization, the grant writer, and the staff. If an organization is seeking funding to sustain an existing program, it may require just a meeting or two to align it with the grant application. However, if it's a new project, such as applying for HRSA New Access Point or Ryan White funding, it may take a few months to develop the plan and collaborate with partners.

Next, the grant writing process can begin. Preparing a grant proposal can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. For instance, a five-page application to a local government with existing content is more straightforward to plan and write than an HRSA Service Area Competition grant with new data, services, and content, which may take around two months.

At Grant Writers for Health, we are involved in every step of the process. For our long-term clients, we take a proactive approach to planning the grant calendar, ensuring that all deadlines are met and the process runs smoothly. We typically require at least 45 days to write a federal grant proposal and 30 days for a non-federal grant. Your health center's investment of time would include 2-4 meetings with us, as well as the time needed to provide background information and review the application package.

Question 8

How much will grant writing cost us? Can we pay when we get the grant?

Accepted Answer

The average cost of hiring a grant writer as an employee in the United States is between $30 and $40 per hour, plus benefits and taxes. For freelance grant writers or agencies, the cost typically ranges from $60 to $250 per hour, depending on their location and experience. Companies with monthly retainers have pricing similar to hiring a part-time or full-time employee.

Grant writers who are members of professional organizations such as the Grant Professional Association or the Association of Fundraising Professionals usually charge an hourly rate or flat fee and are discouraged from working on commission or contingency. It's common to pay a portion or all of the cost upfront before services begin, and payment plans or retainer packages may also be available for long-term projects. Organizations are advised to allocate funds from an approved expense account with cash reserves to cover the cost of the contract.

Grant Writers for Health accepts payment at the beginning of services and offers payment plans. We accept electronic debits, credit cards, and automatic payments. Our pricing is on the Service page.

Question 9

Can you offer us Performance Based payments? What is your guarantee to us?

Accepted Answer

Grant writing does come with risks. There are factors both within and outside of your control that influence whether you will win a grant. Within our control, we can ensure that a grant application is persuasive, error-free, and submitted on time. Outside of our control are the number of applicants, the amount of available funding, and the funder’s preference.

For these reasons, Grant Writers for Health does not guarantee that your grant application will win a grant award, and we do not offer “performance-based payments” or “contingency payments.” However, we do guarantee your satisfaction with our work. We make every effort to submit an A+ quality application that you can reuse across multiple applications.

We have a remedy process and an early contract buy-out policy. If we ever miss a deadline through no fault of your own, we will provide you with another service for free.

Question 10

Can you show us examples of your work, and can we get a recommendation from a current client?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We would love for you to check out our work. In order to honor our partners' time and privacy, we offer a comprehensive collection of previously awarded grants, client testimonials, and client journeys/case studies for your perusal. Access them now on our Success page.

Question 11

We want to learn more; how do we get started with you?

Accepted Answer

Please take our Grant Needs Survey, and we will contact you within two business days to schedule a meeting to determine if there is a mutual fit. You may also contact us at info@grantwritersforhealth.com for more information on our services.

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