If you are having difficulty deciding whether or not to hire a grant writer, below are some pros and cons that can help you decide what is right for you. One advantage of hiring a writer to assist you with putting together your proposal is that it can mean faster results. The basic job of a grant writer is to complete your work based on your financial strategy in a timely manner.
Another advantage is that they can complete the work more competently. Professional grant writers are knowledgeable when it comes to writing proposals for grants. These writers have experience allocating resources, managing time, creating an effective plan, and highlighting what can give you the best advantage.
The third reason to hire a grant writer is to attain unbiased opinions and ideas. If you are seeking honest comments and suggestions, it is best to seek them from people outside of your company or circle of friends. A good consultant can tell you if your project requires more time, if you are too pushy, or if there is a better path to take to make the proposal work.
There are also some reasons not to hire a grant writer as well. One con is that some grant writers may attempt to manipulate the entire grant proposal. Just because they may know better, some consultants take too much control and do not get enough input. It is best to state clearly your expectations when applying for grants. They should only help you with writing the proposal and facilitating your project; they should never take your place. They should never modify or develop a new concept based on their own choices; this is your project and your job.
Another con is that hiring a writer is questionable value for the money. The cost varies widely, but you should be sure that the amount of money that you may receive is enough to offset the upfront expense. In addition, not just anyone who claims he or she is a grant writer can write an excellent proposal. If you hire a writer who is inept, it could mean additional work for you to fix the errors, and you may still be out the amount you spent.
Should you hire a grant writer to help you write your proposal or should you rely on your own abilities to get your grants approved? Doing it on your own means you may have to invest some time to learn how to balance your time and resources to complete the project, but it may be worth it in the end.