In today's competitive nonprofit landscape, securing funding through grants is essential for organizations to thrive and make a meaningful impact on their missions. However, the question often arises: Should you hire a full-time, in-house grant writer, or should you consider contracting a grant writer? While both options have their merits, this blog post will explore why contracting a grant writer can be significantly cheaper and more cost-effective for your organization.
The Cost of Hiring Staff
Hiring a full-time grant writer may seem like a logical choice at first glance. After all, having an employee dedicated solely to grant writing can provide consistency and a deeper understanding of your organization's needs. However, the costs associated with hiring staff go beyond just their salary. Here are some key considerations:
Salary and Benefits: When you hire a full-time grant writer, you not only have to pay their salary but also provide benefits such as healthcare, retirement contributions, and paid time off. These costs can add up quickly.
Training and Onboarding: New employees often require training and onboarding, which can be time-consuming and may involve additional expenses.
Overhead Costs: You'll need to provide office space, equipment, and resources for your in-house grant writer, increasing your organization's overhead costs.
Limited Expertise: An in-house grant writer may have limited experience in various grant sectors, potentially missing out on opportunities that a specialized contract grant writer could identify.
The Cost-Effective Solution: Contracting a Grant Writer
Now, let's explore the benefits of contracting a grant writer and how it can lead to significant cost savings:
Flexibility: Contracting a grant writer provides the flexibility to engage their services as needed. You can bring them on for specific projects or grant applications, eliminating the need to pay a full-time salary year-round.
Reduced Overhead: Since contract grant writers work remotely, you don't have to worry about providing office space or equipment. This reduces your organization's overhead costs substantially.
Specialized Expertise: Contract grant writers often have a diverse portfolio of experience across various sectors and grant types. They bring a breadth of knowledge and skills that can enhance your grant-seeking efforts.
No Benefit Costs: When you contract a grant writer, you are not responsible for providing benefits. This can result in substantial savings compared to hiring a full-time employee.
Scalability: As your organization's grant needs fluctuate, you can easily scale your contract grant writer's involvement up or down without the commitment of a full-time employee. Likewise, we at Bloom know that we're a temporary solution. Our goal is to increase your organization's fundraising capacity to ultimately expand your staff.
Contracting a grant writer offers a cost-effective alternative that can save your organization money. By leveraging specialized expertise, reducing overhead costs, and maintaining flexibility, you can maximize your grant-seeking efforts while staying within your budget.
Our team of experienced contract grant writers is ready to help your organization secure the funding it needs to thrive. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your mission while saving you money.