What Does a Grant Writer Do?
A grant writer helps organizations secure funding by researching opportunities, writing proposals, and managing the grant application process. They craft compelling narratives that align an organization’s mission and programs with funders’ priorities. Their work directly impacts the financial health and sustainability of nonprofits, research institutions, schools, and public agencies.
In addition to proposal development, grant writers often manage submission schedules, collect supporting documents, and ensure applications meet all guidelines and deadlines. Some also track grant reporting requirements post-award and support long-term fundraising strategies. Their blend of storytelling, research, and compliance expertise makes them vital to development and advancement teams.
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Grant Writer Core Responsibilities
- Research grant opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies
- Write and edit grant proposals, letters of inquiry, and supporting materials
- Manage grant calendars, submission deadlines, and documentation
- Collaborate with program and finance teams to develop accurate budgets and narratives
- Ensure compliance with funder guidelines and application protocols
- Track funding status and maintain grant records in CRM or tracking systems
- Support post-award reporting, outcome tracking, and renewal applications
- Contribute to fundraising strategies and prospecting plans as needed
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Exceptional writing, editing, and formatting skills
- Ability to develop compelling, evidence-based narratives
- Experience with budgeting and financial justification in grant contexts
- Familiarity with grant databases and portals (e.g., Grants.gov, Foundation Directory Online, SAM.gov)
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or CRM systems
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Deadline-oriented with excellent time management
- Collaborative mindset to gather information across departments
- Ability to adapt writing style to different funder audiences
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, nonprofit management, public administration, or a related field
Certifications
- Grant Professional Certification (GPC) from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute recommended
- Courses or certificates in grant writing from accredited institutions or associations (e.g., AFP, GPA) are also a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience writing successful grant proposals
- Familiarity with nonprofit programs, evaluation metrics, or logic models
- Experience with post-award compliance and reporting
National Average Salary
Grant writer salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Grant Writer is:
$69,830
Sample Job Description Templates for Grant Writers
Junior Grant Writer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Junior Grant Writer to assist with researching funding opportunities, drafting proposal components, and supporting the grants team. This entry-level role is ideal for someone starting a career in nonprofit development or fundraising communications.
Responsibilities
- Research grant opportunities from foundations and government sources
- Draft sections of grant applications, letters of inquiry, and cover letters
- Maintain and update grant tracking systems and calendars
- Collect supporting documents and assist with submission formatting
- Coordinate with program staff to gather information and data
- Ensure all submission requirements are met prior to deadlines
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills
- Familiarity with nonprofit terminology and basic budgeting concepts
- Experience with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
Soft skills
- Eagerness to learn and take feedback
- Strong attention to detail and organization
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, nonprofit studies, or a related field
Certifications
- None required; grant writing coursework or certification is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or volunteer experience in nonprofit writing, development, or fundraising
Senior Grant Writer
Position Overview
We are hiring a Senior Grant Writer to lead high-value grant initiatives, develop funding strategies, and write complex, competitive proposals. This role will also support mentoring junior writers and collaborating with leadership on revenue goals.
Responsibilities
- Research, write, and submit major grant proposals to foundation, corporate, and government funders
- Develop multi-year funding strategies and case statements
- Collaborate with finance and program leadership to construct grant budgets
- Manage proposal calendars, compliance checklists, and internal deadlines
- Track outcomes and reporting requirements for awarded grants
- Review and edit junior writers’ work and support training efforts
Requirements
Hard skills
- Proven success securing five- and six-figure grants
- Proficiency with grant portals and donor management systems
- Experience creating logic models and evaluation frameworks
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking and persuasive writing
- Ability to work autonomously and meet hard deadlines
- Effective leadership and collaboration across departments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred in writing, public administration, or related field
Certifications
- GPC certification strongly preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of grant writing experience across multiple funder types
- Experience in proposal budgeting and post-award reporting
Nonprofit Grant Writer
Position Overview
We are seeking a Nonprofit Grant Writer to secure funding through foundation and corporate grant proposals. This position is ideal for someone passionate about nonprofit missions and skilled at crafting tailored, compelling applications.
Responsibilities
- Identify prospective funders aligned with the organization’s mission
- Write grant proposals, concept notes, and funder reports
- Track application and reporting deadlines in donor CRM systems
- Collaborate with program and communications teams for data and storytelling
- Monitor grant success rates and adjust messaging strategies as needed
- Maintain organized digital grant files and records
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience writing nonprofit proposals and funder correspondence
- Familiarity with Foundation Directory Online, Candid, or Instrumentl
- Knowledge of nonprofit budget structures and fundraising strategy
Soft skills
- Mission-driven and persuasive communicator
- Detail-oriented with strong project management skills
- Comfortable handling multiple submissions simultaneously
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit management, communications, or related field
Certifications
- GPC or related nonprofit development certification preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Portfolio of funded grant proposals for nonprofit programs
Federal Grant Writer
Position Overview
We are hiring a Federal Grant Writer to develop complex, compliance-driven proposals for government funding opportunities. This role requires deep knowledge of federal RFPs and agency-specific expectations.
Responsibilities
- Write and submit grant applications via Grants.gov, SAM.gov, and agency portals
- Interpret federal funding announcements and eligibility requirements
- Develop narratives, work plans, and metrics aligned with agency goals
- Work with finance and compliance teams to create required attachments and budgets
- Track status updates, feedback, and post-award deliverables
- Manage timelines and formatting requirements across multiple proposals
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience writing federal grants (e.g., HHS, DOJ, DOE, HUD, NSF)
- Knowledge of federal budget forms and logic models
- Familiarity with application systems like Workspace and eCivis
Soft skills
- Ability to navigate complex compliance language
- Meticulous organization and deadline execution
- Clear communicator with subject-matter experts
Education
- Bachelor’s degree required; master’s in public administration, health policy, or a related field is a plus
Certifications
- GPC certification or equivalent federal grant training preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Record of awarded federal proposals and successful renewals
Healthcare Grant Writer
Position Overview
We are looking for a Healthcare Grant Writer to secure funding for clinical programs, public health initiatives, and operational innovation. This role requires a strong understanding of healthcare terminology, outcomes data, and funding sources.
Responsibilities
- Research funders aligned with public health, clinical innovation, or health equity
- Write grant narratives, evaluation plans, and budgets for hospital or community health programs
- Collaborate with medical, compliance, and finance teams to compile technical data
- Prepare submissions for both private foundations and government agencies
- Ensure all HIPAA or health-related requirements are met in applications
- Track deadlines and maintain funder reports
Requirements
Hard skills
- Experience writing healthcare or public health-related proposals
- Familiarity with medical terminology, patient impact metrics, and CMS guidelines
- Knowledge of health-related funders such as HRSA, NIH, RWJF, or local health departments
Soft skills
- Ability to translate clinical work into compelling, accessible language
- Highly organized and deadline-focused
- Team-oriented and skilled at managing inputs from technical stakeholders
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in health administration, public health, or a related field
Certifications
- GPC preferred; additional training in healthcare writing is a plus
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience working in a hospital, FQHC, or public health agency