If you are a grant writer aiming to advance your grant writing career or a nonprofit leader striving to sustain your organization, this guide is for you.
Here are five actionable strategies to enhance your grant writing expertise today:
1. Attend Conferences
Conferences are one of the most valuable tools for improving your grant writing skills. Why? They provide real-world insights from experienced professionals while creating opportunities to network with others in the field.
Conferences can:
Introduce you to experts for in-depth discussions.
Provide access to presenters who can serve as resources when challenges arise.
Reinforce other skill-building strategies, such as reading and mentorship.
As a grant writer, I strongly recommend attending the annual Grant Summit hosted by the Grant Professionals Association (GPA). It’s where I significantly advanced my own grant writing career. Full disclosure: I currently serve as GPA's President, but even before holding this position, I advocated for this event as a must-attend for grant professionals.
2. Read Books
Books are a cost-effective and impactful way to gain knowledge from subject matter experts. They allow you to learn directly from the best, providing insights that can transform your career. For grant writers, books offer a treasure trove of strategies and techniques to refine your craft. A great starting point is Dr. Bev Browning's Grant Writing for Dummies, which provides practical guidance for both beginners and seasoned professionals.
3. Find a Mentor
Mentorship is transformative for any grant writer. A mentor can provide personalized guidance, helping you navigate challenges and avoid costly mistakes. Organizations like the Grant Professionals Association offer mentoring programs for members. LinkedIn is another excellent platform to connect with potential mentors.
When it comes to grant writing, mentors are invaluable. They can teach you lessons that aren’t readily available in books or training sessions, offering tailored advice to sharpen your grant writing skills.
4. Connect with Peers
Networking with fellow grant writers and nonprofit leaders is invaluable. The field of grant writing is broad, and no one can master every aspect of it alone. Peers can help you bridge gaps in knowledge, share experiences, and open doors to new opportunities.
Connecting with other grant writers can lead to:
Lifelong professional relationships.
Subcontracting opportunities.
Employment prospects.
Similarly, collaborating with nonprofit leaders can provide direct pathways to winning grants, such as:
Partnering on projects and applications.
Receiving referrals for funding opportunities.
Sharing insights and strategies for success.
5. Register for Grant Writing Training
Nothing boosts your grant writing abilities like hands-on training. Participating in structured training programs allows you to gain practical experience and refine your skills.
At Think and Ink Grant Consulting, we provide comprehensive training for grant writers at various levels. Our Get.Grants.Better.® platform equips emerging nonprofits with the tools and templates needed to craft winning grant proposals. Each participant leaves with a completed grant template, ready to secure funding for their organization.
If you’re serious about leveling up your grant writing career, explore the training opportunities we offer here.
Whether you’re a seasoned grant writer or just starting out, these strategies will help you grow and succeed in the ever-evolving world of grant writing. Invest in your skills, connect with others, and take proactive steps to become a more effective grant writer today. Want more? Check out some other tips here.
-Shavonn
Need help? Schedule a complimentary consultation today: www.thinkandinkgrants.com.
About Shavonn V. Richardson, MBA, GPC
Shavonn is the Founder and CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting. As a former nonprofit leader and grantmaker, Shavonn has over 20 years of experience delivering practical, real-world advice to nonprofit leaders nationwide. Shavonn earned the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute in 2020 and is a Grant Professionals Association Approved Trainer. Shavonn also serves as President of the Grant Professionals Association.
Think and Ink Grant Consulting®
Think and Ink Grant Consulting® helps large nonprofit organizations with budgets of $3 million or more, institutions of higher education, and municipalities increase their grant dollars. Need help? Let's chat here.
Get.Grants.Better.®
Get.Grants.Better.® provides grant writing training and discounted services to underserved 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with budgets of less than $3 million. Adapted from our traditional client offering Think and Ink Grants® (www.thinkandinkgrants.com), Get.Grants.Better.® is designed to meet the unique needs (and budgets) of emerging nonprofit organizations. If you are an emerging nonprofit organization, sign up for our Get.Grants.Better.® Grant Writing Training and discounted services here.