Hiring a grant writer
What a grant writer does, what their hourly work costs, why you should never pay them a cut of the award, and how to hire one with a real track record.
Updated August 25, 2026
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Questions to ask before you hire
- What's your funded rate — how many of your applications actually won, and for what totals?
- Have you written for my type of funder (federal, foundation, state) and my field?
- Do you do the prospect research too, or only write applications I've already sourced?
- What do you need from me, and how much of my time will the process take?
- How do you charge — hourly, flat per application, or retainer — and what's included?
Red flags
- They want a percentage of the grant award. That's against most funders' rules and nonprofit ethics standards.
- They guarantee you'll win. No honest grant writer promises a funder's decision.
- They can't cite a funded rate or name grants they've actually helped secure.
- They'll write the narrative but won't touch the budget or required attachments.
What a grant writer does
A grant writer researches funding opportunities, then writes the application that goes after them: the narrative, the case for support, the budget justification, and the pile of required attachments funders demand. Good ones also manage the calendar of deadlines and shape your program so it fits what a funder actually wants to pay for.
The deliverable is a complete, submittable application — not a guaranteed check. That distinction matters, because the funder decides, not the writer. A crucial ethics point: reputable grant writers charge for their time or a flat fee, never a percentage of the award. Contingency fees based on grant proceeds violate most federal rules and the standards of professional fundraising associations, and many funders will disqualify an application that used one.
Grant writing overlaps with, but isn’t the same as, general business plan writing — a business plan is for investors and lenders, a grant application is for a specific funder’s priorities and forms.
What it costs
Grant writers typically charge $60 to $150 per hour, and many also offer a flat fee per application. A short foundation letter of inquiry sits at the low end; a full federal application with a detailed budget and multiple attachments takes many hours and lands higher. Three things move the price:
- Funder type — federal applications are far more involved than a local foundation grant.
- Research scope — writing an application you sourced costs less than research plus writing.
- Experience — a writer with a strong funded rate in your field charges a premium.
See the full breakdown in our grant writer cost guide.
Biggest red flag: They want a percentage of the grant award. That’s against most funders’ rules and nonprofit ethics standards.
How to evaluate one
Ask for a funded rate and specifics: which grants, which funders, what totals. A real grant writer talks in numbers and can describe applications they’ve helped win; a weak one talks in generalities and dodges the results question. Confirm they’ve written for your type of funder, because federal, state, and private-foundation applications follow different rules.
A strong writer does the unglamorous parts — the budget, the logic model, the compliance attachments — not just the inspiring narrative. An amateur writes pretty prose and leaves you to assemble the rest. Above all, walk away from anyone who wants a cut of the award or guarantees a win; both are red flags about their ethics and their honesty.
When you don’t need one
If you’re chasing a single small local grant with a simple form, you may be able to write it yourself with the funder’s guidelines in hand — save the fee for the big, complex applications where writing quality and compliance decide the outcome. Organizations that pursue grants regularly often keep a writer on a modest retainer instead of paying per application. Hire one when the opportunity is large or the application is genuinely complex, and confirm any financial or tax implications of an award with a licensed professional.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a grant writer cost? Typically $60–$150 per hour. Where you land inside that range depends far more on scope and complexity than on who you hire, which is why two honest quotes for the same job can differ widely. Full breakdown in the grant writer cost guide.
What should I ask before hiring a grant writer? Start with these two, because they separate a professional from someone with a website: “What’s your funded rate — how many of your applications actually won, and for what totals?” and “Have you written for my type of funder (federal, foundation, state) and my field?” The full checklist is above — take it to the call rather than trying to remember it.
What are the warning signs when hiring a grant writer? The one that matters most: they want a percentage of the grant award. That’s against most funders’ rules and nonprofit ethics standards. Also watch for this — they guarantee you’ll win. No honest grant writer promises a funder’s decision. None of these are dealbreakers on their own, but each is a reason to ask a harder question.
How do I know if I actually need a grant writer? Hire when the time it costs you to do it yourself is worth more than the fee, or when getting it wrong is expensive to undo. The “when you don’t need one” section above is the honest version of that test.
How do I compare quotes fairly? Give every candidate the same written scope, or you are comparing interpretations rather than prices. The project brief builder produces one, and the freelance contract template covers what to put in writing once you have chosen.