Ethical Business Practices for Grant Writing and Management

Author: Trudie Porter Biggers

Grant Writers and Managers are professionals who aid academic institutions, government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations in obtaining funding for their projects or programs. They achieve this by researching, writing, editing, and submitting grant proposals that align with the requirements and expectations of potential funders. In addition, grant writers and managers oversee the progress and results of the funded projects, ensuring that they comply with the grant terms and conditions. These professionals require excellent communication, research, analytical, and organizational skills and knowledge of the specific field or sector in which they operate.??

Ethical Business Practices are the bedrock of quality, integrity, and credibility in grant writing and management. Grant writers and managers must adhere to these principles, as failure to do so can lead to severe consequences. Potential outcomes of not upholding ethical standards include loss of trust, legal implications, and damage to professional reputation.

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Grant Writing and Management Team Commitments

• Professional grant writers and managers' commitment to respecting the grantor and grantee organizations' mission, vision, and values goes beyond a mere guideline. It's a deep-seated commitment a grants team upholds in their work. Aligning the team's efforts with the grant's goals demonstrates their dedication to the project and its success.?
• These professionals avoid even the appearance of any conflicts of interest that may compromise the fairness and impartiality of the grant process. For instance, if a grant writer has a personal relationship with a grantor or a financial interest in the grantee, it could be considered a conflict of interest. ?
• Transparency is not just a good practice; it's an absolute necessity. Grant writers should openly disclose personal or professional relationships with the grantor, the grantee, or any other parties involved. This level of transparency is crucial in building trust and reliability in the grant process and reassuring all involved parties of its integrity.??
• Maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information and data related to the grant is a crucial ethical responsibility. This practice also protects the privacy of the grant beneficiaries and stakeholders.?
• Using exact, reliable, and verifiable sources of information and data is a necessity in the grant-writing process. Citing them correctly according to the standards and policies of the grantor and the field of study is crucial. It instills confidence in the validity of grant management work among all participants.?
• By acknowledging all team members' and collaborators' contributions and roles in the grant writing and management process, we give credit where credit is due.?
• Grant writers and managers follow the rules and regulations of the grantor and the relevant laws and policies of the country or region where the grant is implemented.?
• As managers, they monitor and evaluate the grant's progress and outcomes and report any changes, challenges, or issues that may affect the grant's implementation or results. ?
• By seeking feedback and improvement opportunities from the grantor, the grantee, and other stakeholders, grant writers and managers can implement corrective actions when needed.?
• They uphold the profession’s highest ethical standards by demonstrating professionalism, honesty, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of grant writing and management.?
• The grant management team provides prompt financial, progress, and compliance reports, which ensures transparency and accountability in our grant management process.?

How Grant Writers and Managers are Paid ?

As professionals, grant writers and managers expect fair and reasonable compensation, whether in the form of a salary/wage or fee. They may also offer pro bono services in some cases. Grant writers may be eligible for performance-based rewards, such as bonuses if they follow the standards and policies of their own organizations and do not base them on a percentage of the grant amount. Grant writers cannot pay any finder’s fee or accept a commission or percentage-based payment contingent on the grant proposal's success. They must also not write the grant fee into the grant application unless the funder explicitly allows it. It is unethical and improper to ask a grant writer or manager to wait for payment until the grant is awarded and funded. Payment should be made according to the grant writing terms, management contract, or agreement.??

Hours Required to Complete a Grant?

One factor influencing the cost of hiring a grant writer is the time they need to complete the project. The cost of hiring a grant writer or management team can vary widely based on their experience, the complexity of the grant, and the specific services needed. Most grant writers charge by the hour, so you will want a clear idea of how many hours they will spend on your grant proposal before hiring them. The time needed to write a grant depends on several aspects, such as the type and size of the grant, the complexity and specificity of the guidelines, the availability and quality of the information, and the experience and skill of the writer. You should consult a grant writer for an estimate based on your project needs

However, here are some general guidelines to help you plan your budget and timeline:??

• Federal government grants are usually the most demanding and time-consuming. They often need extensive research, documentation, and planning. A typical federal grant proposal can take around 60 hours to write, with additional time for gathering and preparing supporting materials. Work on these grants should begin as early as possible, preferably months before the deadline.?
• Foundation grants are usually simpler and smaller and often have more flexible requirements. A typical proposal can be as short as five pages and be submitted online. You should expect to spend around 20-40 hours on most foundation grants. However, remember that some foundations may have specific or unique requests that can increase the time needed. ?

Grant writers may also be hired for the following:??

• Consulting for businesses, corporations, and government agencies.??
• Locating contract and funding opportunities.??
• Writing budget proposals and letters of inquiry (LOI).??
• Securing funds for projects, programs, or services.??
• Developing curricula, mission statements, and need statements.??

Since each grant is different, the best way to determine how many hours are needed for your grant proposal is to contact a professional grant writer and discuss your project. Based on their expertise and experience, they can give you a customized quote and a realistic timeline.??

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Learn more about the benefits of hiring a grant writing and management team here .?

FirstCarbon Solutions, an ADEC Innovation, comprises a team of in-house grant specialists who support organizations through all stages of the grant process, whether identifying grants you may be eligible for, applying for, or managing the grant after it has been awarded. Contact us to schedule a free consultation and discuss your questions together.