For the most part, grant writing is a solitary effort. Only in large organizations are there teams of grant writers. Yet, sometimes a single grant writer needs help from other grant writers.
Such as when a deadline cannot be met or the grant writer does not have the expertise to complete the application. There could be other reasons, too. To get help, it is beneficial to maintain a network with other grant writers.
This networking could provide the assistance a grant writer needs to complete assignments and share resources. However, grant writing is a competitive business, so networking is usually done with caution, if at all.
Despite this, grant writers should network. I am a volunteer grant writer and competition to for-profit grant writers (maybe an irritation). While we know about each other, networking has not happened. So, I am not a good example.
To step back a little, I help nonprofits who cannot afford a grant writer or do not have the expertise to write grants. My goal is to reach the point where the nonprofit can either write grants or pay someone (for examples, please comment).
I wrote this blog because, while there is no networking, I am trying to introduce a nonprofit to another for-profit grant writer. I want the nonprofit to take advantage of this grant writer’s expertise who has a specific connection to a foundation.
From experience, I found it best to give the contact information to the nonprofit members and let them set up the discussion without my presence. I don’t want to be an influence on the discussion.
I think networking with other grant writers can lead to a stronger reputation for all involved. People will trust a grant writer who works with others to put the nonprofit’s mission first. But first, grant writers need to trust each other.