{"id":43792,"date":"2024-05-09T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/grantnews\/?p=43792"},"modified":"2024-05-08T17:29:14","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T21:29:14","slug":"cost-of-living-got-you-down-grant-writing-a-perfect-side-hustle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.grantwatch.com\/grantnews\/cost-of-living-got-you-down-grant-writing-a-perfect-side-hustle\/","title":{"rendered":"Cost of Living Got You down? Grant Writing: A Perfect Side Hustle!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have inflation and the high cost of living got you wondering about taking on an extra job? You know, you might do well to consider grant writing. It’s the perfect side hustle. The rising cost of living is a major concern for most Americans. The price of groceries alone is enough to cause a legitimate anxiety attack. Add to that the price of gas, household utility bills, and rent or mortgage payments and the situation begins to get bleak pretty quickly. Let\u2019s face it, times are hard. What’s more, most of us have familial responsibilities that make additional work difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s the good news: There is light at the end of the tunnel! Remote work is an excellent way to supplement your income and still be at home with your loved ones. And grant writing? You can write applications for grants and get paid for your work, all from the comfort of your own home. So, can grant writing be the perfect side hustle? GrantWatch<\/a><\/strong> says the answer is a resounding \u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Perks <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

According to Salary.com<\/a><\/strong>, the average hourly pay rate for a grant writer in the U.S. is $35 an hour. Of course, there are experienced grant writers who would likely charge more than that. Zippia reports that the need for grant writers is expected to grow 8%<\/strong> between 2018-2028. One of the best things about grant writing is that you can work as much or as little as you like. In addition, working from home allows you to set your own hours and be present for you family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grant Writing Skills<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The most important skill needed to launch your grant writing career is to have strong writing skills. While a college degree is not a prerequisite, if you have a degree in English, Creative Writing, or a related discipline, this will be helpful. If not, it may be a good idea to brush up on your writing skills by reading for pleasure. Books or taking online courses. Beyond being a competent writer, it\u2019s important to note that there are other specialized skills that will help you thrive as a grant writer. Some of these include good organizational skills, creativity, and passion for the issues at hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gaining Grant Writing Experience<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have previous grant writing experience, it is a good idea to find a small local business or nonprofit that will let you write a grant on their behalf for free or a reduced rate in exchange for the experience you\u2019ll gain. You may also find a nonprofit or business that will allow you to intern in their grant writing department. This would allow you to gain experience in researching and writing grants. In order to find jobs that pay market rates, most grant-writing clients will want to see at least a few successfully funded grants under their belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focusing on a \u2018niche\u2019 is also a good way to start your grant writing career. This is a specialized segment of the market or industry where you can \u2018stand out\u2019 from others in your field. If you have written successful grants for a certain category of nonprofit like \u2018healthcare\u2019 or \u2018education,\u2019 you may want to look at what kind of niche within those industries will help you give you an advantage when people are seeking out a grant writer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grant Writing Promotion Avenues<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n