Grant Writing
Stop Leaving Money on the Table. Expert Grant Writing to Fuel Your Impact
You have a powerful mission, and a story to tell. But telling the right story to the right funders - and navigating the complex, time-consuming grants process is a different story.
Giant Squid Group’s expert team loves writing grants. Really. And we love working with you to craft compelling proposals that resonate with funders so you can get the funding you need to do your critical work. We empower you to unlock the resources you need to make a bigger difference and amplify your impact. We partner with social justice organizations to increase impact through grant fundraising and help build sustainable, impactful grants programming. Whether you are submitting your first grant, or celebrating that latest win, we help you build a strong foundation, align your mission, vision, programs, and impact into meaningful language, and provide ongoing research, reporting, and training.
The Grant Writing Struggle is Real
Grant writing takes time. Whether you’re new to the nonprofit world or a seasoned fundraiser, a successful grants program takes time, detailed preparation, unwavering attention, and intense focus. It's a lot to balance, especially when you're wearing multiple hats and passionately juggling your day-to-day work. Without that time and focus , you might miss opportunities to expand your impact, underfund critical programs that sustain your mission, and slow progress toward your long-term vision. We get it. You might also waste precious time and resources on unsuccessful applications, which can be disheartening.
But it doesn't have to be this way.
We're not your typical grant writers. We're a team of experienced professionals with a proven track record of success, including securing six-figure, multi-year gifts and helping organizations like yours expand their programming into new cities and states. We've written more grants than we can count, and we've seen firsthand just about every scenario imaginable.
Our approach goes beyond simply filling out forms. We're committed to understanding your organization's unique mission, vision, and programs. We align ourselves with your values – especially your commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. We embed ourselves in your team to provide both strategic guidance and hands-on tactical support. Think of us as an extension of your staff, working alongside you to manage the details (yes, we handle the spreadsheets) while also collaborating with you to strengthen your funder relationships and build a sustainable fundraising program.
What We’ll Do Together
Prospect Research & Identification
We go beyond simple Google searches and grant databases and in-depth knowledge of the funding landscape to identify grant opportunities that are the best fit for your specific programs and needs. We provide you with a curated list of potential funders, saving you countless hours of research.
Logic Model and Program Design Support
Funders want to see that your programs are well-planned and outcomes-oriented. We can help you develop or refine your logic models and program designs to clearly articulate your strategies, activities, and intended results.
Funder Relationship Support
Building strong relationships with funders is essential for long-term success. We provide guidance on communicating effectively with funders, from initial inquiries to post-award reporting, to foster positive and productive partnerships.
Proposal Writing
We don't just write grants; we craft compelling stories that demonstrate your organization's impact and align with funder priorities. We handle every aspect of the proposal development process, including writing persuasive narratives, creating detailed budgets, and gathering all necessary attachments.
Calendar Management and Deadline Tracking
Juggling multiple grant deadlines can be a logistical nightmare. We'll create a customized grant calendar for your organization and ensure that all applications are submitted on time.
Those Things You Can’t Plan For
Our goal is to not only help you increase grant revenue, we want to make your life easier. We can help identify the right tracking software, help adopt values-aligned language, and be your co-conspirator in tackling your latest goals and challenges.
Ready to Get Started?
Pricing and Fee Structure
Our pricing structure is designed to be flexible and accessible for a range of nonprofit budgets. We primarily work on a retainer basis, which allows us to provide ongoing, consistent support for your grant writing needs. Our hourly rates range from $95 to $150, and we have a minimum monthly commitment of $1,250. This retainer model ensures that you have dedicated access to our expertise each month, allowing us to proactively manage your grant calendar, develop high-quality proposals, and build strong relationships with funders.
While we primarily work on retainer, we understand that some organizations may have specific projects with defined scopes. In those cases, we may be able to work on a project basis. If you think a project-based arrangement might be a better fit for your needs, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're happy to discuss your specific situation and explore how we can best support your fundraising goals. We do not work on commission.
How We Get Started
We’ll start our work together by assessing your current grant applications, systems, and opportunities. We then work together to refine your programs and systems, including the tracking tools you use. Once that's in place, we start tackling upcoming grant opportunities together. Throughout the process, we handle the administrative details – managing spreadsheets, deadlines, grant portals, and all the other paperwork – while relying on your team's expertise and insights to inform the content of the proposals.
Grant Readiness
If you are just starting to write grants or feel like you need to take a step back and assess your overall grant readiness before fully investing in your grants program, we offer a grant readiness program that allows you to deeply assess your grant language, positioning, and overall program.
The Giant Squid Group Difference
We are more than just grant writers; we are your partners in securing the resources you need to thrive. We work exclusively with organizations whose values align with our own. This means we prioritize partnering with nonprofits who are committed to social justice and equity. Our team brings a deep understanding of funder priorities and what makes a successful application. We don't just fill out forms; we craft compelling narratives that powerfully communicate your organization's impact and needs. We believe that a successful grant proposal is more than just words on a page – it's a reflection of your organization's passion and dedication.
We approach our work with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that all application requirements are met accurately and on time. This thoroughness not only increases your chances of securing funding but also frees up your staff to focus on what they do best: delivering programs and services that make a real difference in your community. Our expertise translates to securing funding and maximizing your opportunities, and we are committed to doing so in a way that promotes positive change and contributes to a more equitable future. Our vision is rooted in intersectional feminism and anti-racist fundraising principles, and we are active participants in the Community Centric Fundraising movement, which informs our approach to grant writing and underscores our dedication to transforming the traditional power dynamics between nonprofits and funders.
