What is Grant Writing? A Day in the Life – Career Exploration Series
The alarm is going off. Why? Oh, I remember, I have a 5 a.m. Pacific Time zone call coming in from a potential client who is located in the Eastern Time zone. It’s only 4 a.m., but I need time to wake up, get coffee, crank up the computer/printer, and throw some cold water on my face. Yes, I have to be coherent. Did I mention that I worked on a deadline project until 1 a.m. this morning? As tired as I am, I am also filled with excitement about finishing another highly competitive grant application (ah, a chance for funding!). I am also revved up about the possibility of a new client and incoming revenue. This is how any consultant lives, but for a grant-writing consultant, there is never a dull moment.
Well, the call went very well; I have a new client coming aboard and they have agreed to pay the $5,000 per month for grant writing, capacity building consulting, two days of onsite partnership development training for their Board of Directors, and a weekly update report emailed to the CEO and Board of Directors President. Even better, this new client signed a contract for three years. The grant writing duties are limited to eight grant applications per year for government grant funding opportunities, only. I love writing state and federal government grant applications! The reason? Because you know the odds of winning a grant award as soon as you read the guidelines and zero in on the number of grants the agency plans to award and the amount of funding available.
It’s about 9 a.m. and it’s time to review all the email inboxes (I have three) and respond expeditiously. After two hours of attending to email, it’s time to check for voice messages and return calls. Time flies by. I am still in my pajamas! The third cup of coffee is cold, and yet, I am still excited and looking forward to the miracles that come in by the minute in the life of a grant writing consultant.
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