A few times each week, I receive a message asking me how I decide fees for my grant writing services.
It is a great question without a simple answer.
But I thought about it, and I will try to construct a logical framework with which you can think through your own fees to create a fee schedule that works for you.
I only work on a monthly retainer and highly recommend you do, too. If you missed my email about it, here is the link to it–> 5 reasons why I only write grants on a monthly retainer.
Here is what I recommend considering when constructing a fee schedule:
- Experience
- Success Rate
- Scope of Work
- Time
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Experience
If you are just getting started, set your rates accordingly. The average national hourly rates for grant writers range from $25 to $150+, so keep this in mind when considering your level of experience.
Experience isn’t just how many years you have been a grant writer. It is also- What is your overall writing experience? What is your level of education related to non-profits or writing? How many grants have you written? How many references can you provide?
All of these factors speak to your experience.
Success Rate
Success rate is very subjective, but many clients will still ask. If you wrote the same 10 grants for a non-profit every year, your success rate may be 90%. But that won’t be your success rate for a newer non-profit or one just getting started with grant funding.
Be prepared to answer this question. I talk about this more here–> What is your “grant success rate?”
Scope of Work
The beauty of working on a monthly retainer is that I can take on more responsibilities included in my monthly retainer for a higher rate.
Some clients may want me to write and submit grant opportunities they research and provide to me. Some clients may need help developing a grant funding strategy or researching grants. Will you provide a grant calendar? Will you be writing foundation grants? Federal grants? How many grants per month? Who pays for grant research software?
All of these considerations should be factored into your fee.
My average client hires me to act as a Grants Coordinator. I research, plan, write, schedule, advise, report, attend webinars, and handle most tasks associated with grant funding for their org.
My monthly retainers range from $2000-$4500/month based on how many grants I write and the details of my scope. I typically contract with 4-5 clients at once.
Time
On an average month, I write 15-18 grant proposals. Some are shorter web forms, and some are extensive proposals. I work quickly and have systems that allow me to manage a large workload without working myself to death.
I typically work 30 hours per week.
When you are developing your fee schedule, consider how quickly you work. How many hours will the scope of work take you each month, and how much do you need to earn?
Warning
If a client ever wants to pay you commission based on winning a grant, run, don’t walk. Most funders do not allow a portion of their grant to be used to pay a grant writer and this fee structure violates industry ethics.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals specifically states, “Members shall not accept compensation or enter into a contract that is based on a percentage of contributions; nor shall members accept finder’s fee or contingent fees.”
It is a terrible practice. Stick to a monthly retainer.
I hope this framework helps you to calculate fees that work well for you. If you want to chat more about fees, email me your questions to hello@writeepicgrants.com.
Until next time,
Write Epic Grants
P.S. Are you new to Write Epic Grants? If so, head over to the Newsletter Archives to check out what you missed.