How To Become A Volunteer Grant Writer

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Each month I like to introduce opportunities for nursing home volunteers to expand their outreach. Some of the roles we’ve explored in the past include the volunteer ombudsman and the parish nurse. Today let’s consider if you might enjoy helping with grant writing at your facility.

Several years ago, I helped write a few grants at the nursing home where I now volunteer. Since I enjoy writing, I was excited about this new challenge.

And, yes, it did prove to be a challenge! I was surprised to discover the complexity of the whole grant writing process. But I also experienced the thrill and sense of accomplishment that comes when a grant is approved.

Why are grants so important?

Non-profit nursing homes rely on a wide variety of funding sources to support the many programs that benefit their residents. Grants are just one of these sources. Grant money usually comes from large corporations, foundations, or the government.

Grants come in all sizes. However, the beauty of a grant is that it often provides a much larger amount of funding than other sources. Also, in many cases, the grant is renewable for more than one year.

What are the characteristics of a good grant writer?

• Attention to detail

A grant writer must be well-organized, thorough, and detail-oriented. Grants generally come with a long list of requirements. You need to follow the rules or risk being disqualified.

• Good knowledge of the facility

You’ll serve as a representative and cheerleader for the nursing home. It’s important to invest time in understanding their history, values, and goals.

• Persistence

The whole grant process can easily take a year or more from start to finish. This includes research, writing, waiting for approval, implementation, and follow-up. A successful grant writer oversees each step of the project and keeps the entire process running smoothly.

• A gift for writing

Grant writing requires more than good spelling, punctuation, and grammar. You need to excel in the art of writing. This makes your grant proposal stand out from the rest.

• People skills

Besides writing the grant, you’ll often need to communicate with potential funders by phone or in person. Building relationships is key to the entire grant writing process.

• Resilience

You must be able to roll with the punches. There’s a lot of competition for grant money. After pouring a significant amount of time and passion into writing a grant, you might not get it.

How do I get involved in grant writing?

A professional grant writer usually has a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a writing-related field. Examples include journalism, marketing, or communication.

As a volunteer interested in helping with grants, I encourage you to begin by taking a basic grant writing class. You can find them online or through your local college or community education program.

Many helpful books explain the basics. The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need is a good place to start.

Next, contact the grant writer at your nursing home and offer your assistance. Even if you’re not ready to write an actual grant, they’ll still appreciate your help. Assignments might include researching possible donors, locating necessary documents, or writing thank-you letters.

Who knows, perhaps this will provide you with a stepping stone to an entirely new career!

 

Are there any grant writers among my readers? What advice would you give to someone interested in helping with grants at a nursing home? Please share your thoughts in the comment section.