Juggling dozens of grant applications monthly trying to hit your funding goals?
You’re not alone. In 2025, small teams don’t have to choose between quantity and quality, or between securing funding and focusing on their mission.
The traditional grant writing approach isn’t just unsustainable – it’s holding you back. That’s why in this buyer’s guide, we’ll explore:
The evolution of modern grant writing services
An unbiased comparison of the best grant writing services for understaffed teams
Expert tips for maximizing grant success while minimizing the hours spent on applications
PS., Teams using AI-powered grant writing tools like Grantboost can handle their entire monthly grant workload in the time it used to take to complete just one application. Stick around to learn how they’re doing it 😉 Ready? Let’s go.
For individuals and teams looking to secure more funding with less effort. Streamline your grant-writing process, stay organized, and achieve better results with proven templates and AI-driven support.
Grant writing is the process of creating proposals to secure funding from government entities, foundations, private foundations, and other organizations. This intricate process involves extensive research, persuasive writing, and a deep understanding of the funding landscape. Crafting a compelling grant proposal requires not only a clear articulation of an organization’s mission, goals, and objectives but also the ability to align these with the specific requirements and priorities of potential funders.
The competitive nature of grant writing means that organizations must present their case in the most compelling way possible. This involves
Detailing the need for funding,
the impact of the proposed project,
and the organization’s capacity to deliver on its promises.
Effective grant writing is essential for nonprofit organizations and other entities seeking to secure grant funding, as it enables them to communicate their vision and the value of their work clearly.
Read next: How AI Works For Grant Writing
Hiring a professional grant writing service can be a strategic move for organizations looking to increase their grant funding chances. Professional grant writers bring a wealth of specialized knowledge and experience to the table, which can significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of grant proposals. Here are some key benefits of working with a professional grant writing service:
Increased Funding Success: Professional grant writers have a deep understanding of what funders are looking for and can craft proposals that resonate with them, thereby increasing the likelihood of securing grant funding.
Time and Resource Efficiency: The grant writing process is time-consuming and requires meticulous attention to detail. By outsourcing this task, organizations can focus their time and resources on their core activities.
Enhanced Proposal Quality: Professional grant writers are skilled in creating clear, compelling, and well-structured proposals that effectively communicate the organization’s mission and project goals.
Improved Credibility: A well-written grant proposal can enhance an organization’s reputation and credibility with funders, which can be beneficial for future funding opportunities.
Relationship Building: Professional grant writers often have established relationships with funders and can help organizations build and maintain these important connections.
By leveraging the expertise of professional grant writers, organizations can navigate the complex grant writing process more effectively and increase their chances of securing the funding they need to achieve their goals.
Gone are the days when grant writing meant choosing between expensive firms or struggling alone. Today’s landscape offers multiple options, each with unique advantages for different organizational needs.
| Type of grant writing services | Definition | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Grant Writing Companies | End-to-end services from experienced teams, including a professional grant writer certified through the Grant Professional Certification (GPC) process. They offer comprehensive support and high success rates. While they provide proven track records, services come with premium pricing ($3,000–$10,000 per grant) and longer turnaround times. | $3,000–$10,000 per grant | Best for organizations with substantial budgets seeking full-service support. |
| Freelance Grant Writers | Independent experts offering flexibility and personalized attention at moderate rates ($50–$150 per hour). They bring specialized expertise as skilled grant writers, but availability and quality can vary. Many focus on specific sectors or grant types. | $50–$150 per hour | Best for organizations needing occasional support or specialized expertise. |
| AI-Powered Grant Writing Tools | Modern platforms leverage AI to speed up the application process. Generate customized proposals in minutes, maintain consistency across applications, and cost a fraction of traditional services ($20–$100 monthly). | $20–$100 monthly | Best for teams applying to multiple grants monthly who need to scale efficiently. |
| Hybrid Solutions | A blended approach using AI tools for initial drafts while engaging professional writers for strategy. Maximizes efficiency while maintaining the human touch, typically costing 40–60% less than traditional services. | 40–60% less than traditional services | Best for organizations seeking to balance efficiency with expertise. |
We know you were probably still searching for experienced grant writers or companies… we’ll get to them in a second. Modern teams are discovering that AI grant writing solutions can deliver better results faster and cheaper.
Grantboost, for example, stands out as a pioneer in AI-powered grant writing, serving over 5,000 teams and processing more than 3.5 million words monthly. Its ability to transform the traditional grant writing process into a streamlined, efficient workflow makes it particularly appealing for small teams.
Key Features:
AI-powered proposal generation
Customizable templates and best practices
Team collaboration tools
User-friendly interface
Flexible pricing tiers
How It Works: The platform simplifies grant writing into four steps: share your organization’s details, input grant opportunity information, receive AI-generated proposals, and edit the output to match your voice. The AI analyzes your inputs to craft tailored proposals aligned with proven grant writing strategies.
Pricing:
Free: Best for individuals (includes 40 monthly boosts and 4 templates)
Pro: $19.99/month (unlimited access and templates)
Teams: $29.99/month (added team features and access)
Why We Love It: What sets Grantboost apart is its focus on efficiency without sacrificing quality. The platform’s decade of technology experience shines through in its intuitive design. Small teams can benefit from the free tier to test the waters before scaling up with more robust features.
Best For: Organizations applying to multiple grants monthly who need to maintain consistency while reducing time spent on applications.
For individuals and teams looking to secure more funding with less effort. Streamline your grant-writing process, stay organized, and achieve better results with proven templates and AI-driven support.
Read next:
Unlike freelance platforms, Professional Grant Writers offers a true agency experience with a proven track record spanning multiple sectors. Their standout quality is their comprehensive approach: they don’t just write grants, they develop complete funding strategies through meticulous proposal development. This includes a collaborative approach to identifying funding opportunities aligned with clients’ strategic goals, ensuring clients are well-prepared to secure funding.
Key Features:
End-to-end grant management
Dedicated strategist for each project
Research and funder matching
Ongoing application support
What’s good about them: While more significantly expensive than AI solutions, their hands-on approach and deep expertise make them ideal for complex grants or organizations new to grant writing. Their team’s track record of securing major funding is impressive.
Best For: Organizations with complex projects or those seeking guidance through their first major grants. Keep in mind that their high-touch approach means longer turnaround times for each application—something to consider if you’re managing multiple monthly submissions.
Grant Strategies sets itself apart with its research-first approach. Instead of just writing applications, they help organizations conduct thorough grant research to identify the most promising opportunities and develop winning strategies.
Key Features:
Extensive funding opportunity research
Strategy development workshops
Sector-specific expertise
Custom grant calendars
What’s good about it: Their focus on pre-writing strategy helps organizations avoid wasting time on poor-fit opportunities. While their services aren’t cheap, the strategic guidance can significantly improve success rates by targeting the right funding source.
Best For: Organizations looking to develop a long-term grant strategy. Note that while their strategic guidance is valuable, you’ll still need to handle the time-consuming task of implementing these strategies across multiple applications.
The Write Team balances professional expertise with a more personalized approach than larger agencies. Their strength lies in adapting to each organization’s voice while maintaining grant writing best practices.
Key Features:
Dedicated writing team
Custom narrative development
Unlimited revisions
Ongoing support
What’s good about them: Their flexible engagement model lets organizations scale services up or down as needed. While not as fast as AI solutions like Grantboost, they excel at crafting unique narratives.
Best For: Organizations needing a personal touch in their grant applications. However, scaling their services across multiple grants can quickly become cost-prohibitive for small teams.
Rather than a traditional agency, AGWA provides access to a network of certified grant writing professionals. This certification focus ensures a baseline of expertise that’s often missing from general freelance platforms.
Key Features:
Access to certified grant writers
Industry-standard training
Quality assurance standards
Professional development resources
What’s good about them: Their certification requirements add an extra layer of confidence when choosing a writer. While rates can be higher than uncertified alternatives, the quality assurance is worth it for many organizations.
Best For: Organizations who prioritize credentials. While certification ensures quality, the traditional writing process still requires significant back-and-forth time that could be spent on other aspects of your mission.
Elevate has carved out a strong niche in the nonprofit sector, combining deep sector knowledge with a comprehensive approach to grant writing. Their name reflects their mission to elevate organizations’ funding potential through strategic writing.
Key Features:
Nonprofit-specific expertise
360-degree funding strategy
Mission-aligned approach
Sector-specific templates
What’s good about them: Their focus on nonprofits means they understand the unique challenges and requirements of foundation grants. While more expensive than AI solutions like Grantboost, they bring valuable sector-specific insights.
Best For: Nonprofit organizations seeking specialized expertise. Consider that their comprehensive approach, while thorough, may not be the most efficient solution for teams handling multiple monthly applications.
Upwork offers the largest pool of freelance talent for organizations wanting to hire individual grant writers directly. Their platform makes it easy to find and vet writers across different price points and expertise levels.
Key Features:
Extensive writer profiles and portfolios
Secure payment protection
Detailed review system
Flexible hiring options
Range of expertise and pricing
Tips for Finding Quality Grant Writers on Upwork
Use specific search terms: “grant writer,” “grant proposal writer,” “nonprofit grants”
Filter for “Job Success Score” above 90%
Look for “Top Rated” or “Top Rated Plus” badges
Set minimum earned amount to $10,000+ to find experienced writers
Check for relevant certifications in their portfolio
Filter for native English speakers if language quality is crucial
Review samples of actual grant proposals in their portfolio
What’s good about it: The platform’s robust vetting system and detailed reviews make it easier to find qualified writers than traditional job boards. While quality can vary, their payment protection and dispute resolution provide peace of mind.
Best For: Organizations comfortable managing freelancers. However, maintaining consistency across multiple writers and applications can be challenging, especially when applying for numerous grants simultaneously. While hourly rates ($20-100/hr) might seem attractive, the time invested in vetting, managing, and reviewing work can make automated solutions more cost-effective for multiple grant applications.
The grant writing process is a structured approach that involves several key steps, each requiring careful planning and execution. Here’s a breakdown of the typical grant writing process and timeline:
Research and Identification of Funding Sources: This initial step involves identifying potential funding sources that align with the organization’s mission and project goals. This can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the availability of information and the specificity of the funding criteria.
Development of a Grant Proposal Concept: Once potential funders are identified, the next step is to develop a clear and compelling concept for the grant proposal. This involves outlining the project’s objectives, activities, and expected outcomes. This phase usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Writing and Editing of the Grant Proposal: With a solid concept in place, the actual writing of the grant proposal begins. This step involves drafting, revising, and refining the proposal to ensure it meets the funder’s requirements and effectively communicates the project’s value. This process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks.
Review and Approval of the Grant Proposal: Before submission, the grant proposal must be reviewed and approved by the organization’s leadership or a designated review committee. This step ensures that the proposal is accurate, complete, and aligns with the organization’s strategic goals. This phase usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Submission of the Grant Proposal: Once approved, the grant proposal is submitted to the funder. This step involves ensuring that all submission guidelines are followed and that the proposal is submitted by the deadline. This process typically takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Follow-up and Reporting: After submission, it’s important to follow up with the funder to confirm receipt and address any questions or additional information requests. If the grant is awarded, ongoing reporting and communication with the funder are essential to maintain a positive relationship and ensure compliance with funding requirements. This is an ongoing process.
The grant writing process can be time-consuming and requires a high level of attention to detail. Working with a professional grant writing service / pre-trained tool can help streamline this process, ensuring that proposals are well-crafted and submitted on time, thereby improving the chances of securing grant funding.
Read next:
When selecting a grant writing service, consider these key factors to align with your organization’s needs and maximize grant opportunities:
Monthly Application Volume
1-4 grants monthly: AI-powered grant writers or freelancers might be cost-effective
5-10+ grants monthly: AI-powered tools offer better scaling and cost efficiency
11-15+ grants monthly: Consider hybrid solutions combining AI efficiency with strategic expertise
Read next: ChatGPT for Grant Writing
Budget Considerations
Traditional firms ($3,000-10,000 per grant) work for large, complex grants
Freelancers ($50-150/hour) suit occasional applications
AI solutions ($20-100/month) provide the most cost-effective scaling
Factor in long-term costs vs. potential funding success
Team Size and Resources
Smaller teams benefit most from automated solutions
Larger teams might leverage hybrid approaches
Consider your team’s technical expertise and available time
Grant Complexity
Standard grants: AI tools can handle efficiently
Complex or unique grants: May need traditional expertise
Regular reapplications: AI excels at maintaining consistency
Read next:
5 Free Grant Writing Software Solutions for Nonprofits on a Budget (2025)
Free Grant Writing Services: Do-It-Yourself vs. Do-It-For-You Solutions
Remember the days of juggling multiple grant applications, burning the midnight oil to meet deadlines, and watching your mission take a backseat to paperwork?
Whether you’re a seasoned nonprofit director or a small business owner diving into grants for the first time, there’s never been a better time to rethink your approach.
Key Takeaways:
Your time is too valuable to spend weeks on single applications - modern solutions can cut that down to hours
The future belongs to organizations that can maintain quality while scaling their grant submissions
Success isn’t about working harder - it’s about leveraging the right tools for your specific needs
Technology isn’t replacing expertise - it’s amplifying it in ways we never thought possible
The organizations seeing the most success are those willing to embrace change and try new approaches
Here’s the reality: While traditional grant writing services will always have their place, the game has changed. Organizations are discovering they can maintain the quality they need while dramatically reducing the time and costs.
Tools like Grantboost aren’t just making grant writing easier - they’re giving organizations back the time they need to focus on what matters: their mission.
For individuals and teams looking to secure more funding with less effort. Streamline your grant-writing process, stay organized, and achieve better results with proven templates and AI-driven support.
The 5 R’s of grant writing are Research, Relationships, Writing, Review, and Revise. These fundamental principles guide successful grant applications. However, each ‘R’ involves specific strategies and techniques that must be carefully implemented for maximum funding success.
Successful grant writers combine strong research skills, clear writing ability, and attention to detail with strategic thinking. While these core competencies are essential, there are several unexpected qualities and specialized techniques that separate exceptional grant writers from average ones.
Grant writer rates typically range from $50-150 per hour for freelancers, while firms charge $3,000-10,000 per grant. However, modern pricing models evolve with new technology and service options that can significantly impact overall costs and value.
The best grant writing advice focuses on telling a compelling story while following strict guidelines and deadlines. While clear writing is crucial, there are several lesser-known strategies and common pitfalls that can make or break your grant application.
The best fonts for grant writing are typically 12-point Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, as they ensure readability and professionalism. However, specific funders may have unique requirements and preferences that can affect your font choice.
The hardest part of grant writing is typically balancing compelling storytelling with technical requirements while meeting strict deadlines. While these challenges are significant, there are several proven strategies and modern tools that can help overcome these obstacles.