What services do you provide?
- Grant writing
- Research funding opportunities
- Review of grant proposals – previous or pending submissions
- Program evaluation
- Staff training – evaluation methods and grant writing basics
Our agency provides services in an area not listed on your résumé. Can you still help us?
Yes! Over the years, I have learned that to write your proposal, I only need to learn a little about what you do…just enough to describe your new program. My first grant writing instructor claimed, “The best grant writers can write quickly and authoritatively about topics they know nothing about.” If you can talk about it, I can write about it!
How much do you charge?
My fee ranges from $50 – $100 per hour, depending on the service provided:
- $50/hr to research funding opportunities
- $65/hr to provide feedback on rejected proposals or to review pending proposals
- $65/hr to conduct staff training on grant writing or program evaluation basics
- $85/hr for program evaluation services
- $100/hr for grant writing services
My fees covers my time plus direct and indirect expenses such as taxes, insurance, outside services, communication, utilities, printing, postage, travel, training, equipment, repairs and office supplies.
How does the billing process work?
For grant writing clients, I submit an invoice along with a time sheet once the grant has been submitted. For agencies contracting for multiple grant proposals or program evaluation, I submit invoices monthly or quarterly. To avoid a late fee, please mail your payment within 30 days. I also provide a signed IRS W-9 form to your accounting department so an IRS 1099-MISC form can be issued to me at year’s end.
Do you write grants on contingency or commission?
No. It is against the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles and Standards to accept compensation based on a percentage of funds received or to accept contingenvy fees.
Can you guarantee success in procuring us grant funds?
No. A successful grant application requires not only a well-written proposal, but other factors not in my control such as an agency’s capability, solvency, program experience and staff qualifications. However, for agencies contracting for 8-10 proposals on the same program, I do offer this guarantee – if none of the proposals are funded, I will submit 4-5 more on the same program at no charge.
Have you utilized the Federal government’s online submission resource, www.grants.gov?
Yes. I can submit your proposal or assist your staff in using this website. Please be sure your agency has obtained a DUNS number, registered with SAM, set up a username and password, completed an AOR profile and verified its acceptance.
What are the benefits to working with a professional evaluator?
In an era of dwindling resources, program evaluation is critical. Funders want to support agencies that deliver effective programs to communities in need. A professional evaluator can help you identify the best program evaluation options to demonstrate your program’s effectiveness, within an agency’s budgetary constraints. The ideal professional evaluator has a variety of skills – the ability to develop needs assessments and surveys, analyze qualitative and quantitative data, and conduct and interpret focus groups and key informant interviews, and clearly summarize evaluation results.
What statistical software do you use to analyze quantitative data?
I use IBM SPSS Statistics. If your agency does not own the software, I can accept an Excel file and export it into SPSS for analysis. I also use SurveyMonkey™ to to collect online survey data.
Do you have professional liability insurance?
Yes. A copy of my Certificate of Liability Insurance from The Hartford is available upon request.
How long have you been writing grants and evaluating programs?
I began in 1987 while serving as a Project Director at the San Diego State University Research Foundation; I’ve been consulting in these areas since 2004.