I ha u16997320 ve been in the consulting biz for close to ten years now and I'm still surprised at some of the questions that I get when someone is considering me for hire. Don't get me wrong, I understand that most folks don't even know what a grant writer does much less know anything about hiring one but I sometimes just want to hand them a list of “thou shalt not's” before the first question is asked about working with me.

In my scenario, I get the call looking for a grant writer to help secure long-range, stable funding. I applaud the fact that they have come to this wise decision and am happy to discuss an arrangement. But wait! No further communication would be allowed until they have been given a list of my commandments. (By fax? Email? Can you text commandments? I don't know – just somehow they would magically “get” them.) My commandments would read as follows:

Thou Shalt Not Contact Me for Start-Up Funding – Sorry, it's a fact that grants are not your answer to swing your nonprofit into action. Go for individual funding first, establish your programs, get some street cred and then we'll talk.

Thou Shalt Not Ask Me to Work on Commission – I'll put it to you this way. If the doctor doesn't cure your disease, are you not going to pay him? So is the same with a grant writer. We do the work and we do our best but make no guarantees.

Thou Shalt Not Tell Me That the Oprah Winfrey Foundation Would Be a Perfect Match – This also includes Bill Gates. Oprah sunk all of her money into the Leadership Academy (regretfully?) and more than likely has no interest in your organization. Not saying that there are those out there who don't, just don't look to the Big O to solve your financial woes.

Thou Shalt Not Expect Me to Work at Pauper's Wages – While this mostly is never an issue, there are some nonprofits that give me the sad story that they're just trying to help and expect me to give my services away at little or no cost. I do try to help where I can (and even have my own select organizations that I volunteer for) but please don't try to guilt me into working for free.

I'm sure that I've missed some but just thought I'd start the New Year out right with a little teaser! I'm just poking fun and I know that most everyone means well. If you do happen to be in the market though for a consultant, just remember these commandments - and don't break them. ;)

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written by Betsy Baker, January 16, 2011

You're absolutely right, Sherry. I'm a member of AFP and it is strictly forbidden to work on commission. Because misinformation is so prevalent, I get asked this question all the time. I don't begrudge the asker because they don't understand how the grant consulting business works. I just try to be gentle in my response.

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written by Sherry Truhlar, January 15, 2011

Regarding working on commission ... isn't there something in an AFP creed about this anyway? A distant memory isn't surfacing for me, but I want to say there's something.

Having not worked with grant writers in my line of work, I found this fun to read. Thanks!

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written by Sherry Truhlar, January 15, 2011

Regarding "working on commission." Isn't there even some AFP creed against hiring development people on commission anyway? (Something sticks in my head but it's not surfacing.)

Having not worked with grant writers in my scope of work, I enjoyed the read. Thanks!

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Love it!
written by Sandy Rees, January 15, 2011

Love this Betsy! I seem to answer the question about Oprah and Bill Gates a LOT too. Interesting how so many people think they can just approach those with deep pockets and get money. Ah, they have so much to learn.

Sandy Rees

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written by Derek, January 13, 2011

You did a great job of making some tough points with a tongue-in-cheek style. Love it!

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written by Lori Jacobwith, January 13, 2011

Fun but very important post. I often suggest to my clients that they FIND a grant writing consultant, but that they PLEASE do not put all their eggs in the grant writing basket...too many times staff or board members feel they'll just "get a grant" when really they could start talking about their funding gap to everyone and raise funds from multiple sources which will build a more diverse, stronger foundation for their funding future.

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Love, love this!
written by Gail Perry, January 12, 2011

Love the "thou shalt not's!!" Lots of organizations are naive and think that "grantwriting" is the silver bullet. They don't want to put in the hard work it takes to lay the proper groundwork. Great article and thanks!

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