A grant writer helps an organisation win funding by working out which grants fit, giving an honest view of the chances, finding out what the funder wants, and writing the application against the funder’s criteria. They can’t guarantee funding, because the funder decides.
The work is more than writing. Much of it is understanding the program and getting the right information together.
What a grant writer does
Works out whether a grant fits
They check your project against what's open: what each program funds, who can apply, what's excluded, and when the round closes.
Gives you an honest view of your chances
How strong would an application be, and what would make it stronger? A good grant writer tells you before you spend money, and sometimes says not to apply.
Works out what's needed
Every program asks for different things: figures, quotes, evidence, and sometimes support letters or proof of acceptance from suppliers or participants. A writer gives you the list early, so nothing is left to the last minute.
Writes the application
They answer every question against the funder's criteria and guidelines, using your information and your figures.
Leaves you in control
You check the figures and approve the final application. The organisation applying is yours, and so is the decision to submit.
Supports you afterwards
Some writers also help with reporting back to the funder if the grant is awarded, and with keeping track of future rounds.
Writing is only part of the job. The biggest mistake we see is not covering the requirements properly, and not understanding what the funder is truly looking for. Many applicants also start too late on things like support letters. A big part of a grant writer’s value is spotting these early.
What a grant writer doesn’t do
- Guarantee funding. Funders make the decisions, and in a competitive round eligible applications still miss out.
- Make an ineligible project eligible. A better written application can’t change a grant’s criteria.
- Invent facts or figures. The application has to rest on your real information.
- Give tax or financial advice. For tax, GST or the R&D Tax Incentive, talk to your accountant or a licensed adviser.
- Arrange loans, find investors or broker carbon credits. At Better Funded, we only write grant applications and acquittals.
A grant writer is not a grant directory
A grant directory or grant finder lists programs so you can search them. A grant writer works on your application for a specific program. Some writers also help you work out which programs to look at. Whichever way you find a grant, read the funder’s own page for the rules before you rely on any summary of it, including ours.
Who uses a grant writer?
Grants are open to many kinds of organisation. We write for:
- Events, festivals and shows, including agricultural shows, rodeos and regional events. See grant applications for events.
- Businesses and manufacturers looking at equipment, energy and export programs. See grant applications for businesses.
- Councils, chambers, schools and community groups.
What it looks like in practice
Here is how it works at Better Funded.
- Free check. You tell us about your event or project. We send you a short written brief: the grants it could apply for, how strong an application would be, what would make it stronger, and our fee. If we don’t think it’s worth your time and money to apply, we’ll tell you.
- A fixed fee. If you go ahead, we send an engagement letter which sets out the fee and what’s included. It’s agreed before any work starts, and doesn’t depend on the outcome.
- What we need from you. Once you’ve signed, we email you a list of what we need for the grant’s application.
- We write it. We answer every question against the funder’s criteria, using your information and your figures. You check the figures and approve the final application.
- You lodge. You submit it to the funder, unless you ask us to do it for you.
- If it’s funded. We offer acquittal support, quoted separately, and a grant calendar service.
There’s more on how we work.
Do you need one?
Not every application does. If the grant is simple, with minimal requirements, you may well be able to write it yourself. If it’s detailed, competitive, or you’re short on time, a grant writer can be worth the fee. Our guide on whether you need a grant writer has seven questions to help you decide. If you’re weighing the cost, see how much a grant writer costs, and if you decide to hire one, how to choose a grant writer.
Not sure what a grant writer could do for you?
Tell us about your event or project and, if you know it, the grant. We’ll send you a short written brief with the grants it could apply for, how strong an application would be, what would make it stronger, and our fee. Ask for a free check.
Andrew is an events organiser and events producer who spent years on the applicant side of grant funding before founding Better Funded. More about Andrew