We need help writing grant proposals. Is there a freelance grant writer or agency we can hire?

Yes, there are many reputable freelance grant writers, specialized boutique consultants, and full-service agencies available depending on your sector (nonprofit, small business, research) and budget.

When looking to hire, you can choose between independent freelancers or structured agencies. Here are the top ways and platforms to find qualified grant professionals:

• Dedicated Grant Directories (Vetted & Specialized)
  • The Grant Writer Directory by Holly Rustick lists vetted independent professionals who specialize in non-profit funding, capacity building, and proposal writing.
  • GrantWriters.org Freelance Directory provides a comprehensive community roster of independent grant consultants and strategists.
• Freelance Marketplaces (Flexible & Project-Based)
  • Upwork Grant Writers allows you to browse individual freelance grant professionals, view past client success ratings, and interview candidates directly for specific proposal deadlines.
  • Fiverr Grant Writing Services features tiered packages for smaller scope tasks like donor mapping, proposal editing, or crafting standard foundation grant applications.
• Full-Service Agencies & Consulting Firms
  • Larger boutique agencies (such as Elevate or regional nonprofit consulting groups) operate with a team approach, providing comprehensive grant calendar monitoring, research, and writing rather than just a single freelancer.

A quick tip before you hire: Reputable grant writers do not work on commission or a percentage of the grant (charging a contingency fee violates ethical standards set by the Grant Professionals Association). Instead, expect hourly rates or flat project fees.

To help narrow down the best fit, could you share:

• What type of organization you are (nonprofit, small business, academic)?
• What kind of grant you are targeting (federal, state, private foundation)?
• Your timeline or target submission deadline?

• Langton Consulting - 5627 Atlantic Blvd Ste 4, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
• vavarde strategic funding - 10151 Deerwood Park Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32256, United States
• Grant Business Solutions - 1301 Riverplace Blvd Ste 800-32, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
• PM3 University LLC - 1225 W Beaver St #111, Jacksonville, FL 32204, United States
• Vavarde Strategic Funding - 4040 Woodcock Dr #203, Jacksonville, FL 32207, United States
• Golden Isles Grant Writing - 1405 Newcastle St, Brunswick, GA 31520, United States
• Partners With Nonprofits - 5829 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, United States
• Palante Nonprofits, LLC - 924 N Magnolia Ave Ste 202, Unit #5469, Orlando, FL 32803, United States
• A.M. Crawford, Inc. - 2770 NW 43rd St Ste L, Gainesville, FL 32606, United States

Absolutely. If you're looking for help with grant research, proposal writing, budgets, and submissions, there are both independent grant writers and full-service firms you can hire.

Since you're in the Jacksonville area, a few options worth investigating are:

• Langton Consulting — Jacksonville-based firm with a long history of grant writing, grant administration, and government/public-sector work. Their site says they have helped clients secure federal, state, and local grants.
• vavarde strategic funding — Jacksonville consultancy offering funding-source research, proposal development/writing, government and foundation grants, and post-award planning.
• Grant Business Solutions — Jacksonville consulting firm that provides nonprofit support, including 501(c)(3) consultation and grant proposal development.
• PM3 University LLC — Jacksonville consultant offering grant-readiness support, grant writing, and longer-term assistance for nonprofits and small businesses.
• Riverside Grant Consulting — nonprofit-focused grant consulting and proposal-writing support.
• Winnable Grants — Florida-based service offering funder research and done-for-you proposals for a flat fee rather than a percentage of the award.
• Upwork — if you'd prefer an individual freelancer rather than an agency, there are many grant writers available, with profiles showing experience, rates, reviews, and specialties.

What I'd look for before hiring

Don't just hire someone because they say they are a "grant writer." Ask for:

1. Examples of grants they've actually helped win, preferably in your field.
2. Experience with the specific grants you want—federal, state, foundation, corporate, etc.
3. Whether they do grant prospect research or only write proposals you bring them.
4. Whether they help with budgets and budget narratives.
5. Their fee structure. A reputable writer should generally charge a flat fee or hourly rate rather than taking a percentage of the grant award; the Grant Professionals Association's ethical guidance is consistent with that approach.
6. Exactly what you'll receive: research, narrative, attachments, editing, submission, reporting, etc.
7. References from organizations similar to yours.

One important point: nobody can legitimately guarantee that a grant will be awarded. A good writer can improve the application and identify better-fit opportunities, but the funder makes the final decision.

If you tell me what your organization does, whether you're a nonprofit/for-profit, roughly how much you're trying to raise, and what kind of grants you're interested in, I can narrow this down to a short list of firms/freelancers that appear to fit your situation and help you compare what they offer.

Yes, there are many freelance grant writers, specialized boutique agencies, and professional platforms where you can find experienced writers depending on your organization’s sector (nonprofit, academic, biotech, small business, etc.) and budget.

Top options for hiring grant writing support include the following directories, freelance networks, and agencies:

• Freelance Platforms:
  1. Upwork Grant Writers – Great for browsing individual freelance grant writers, reviewing client ratings, past success metrics, and hourly/project rates.
  2. Kolabtree – Highly specialized platform if you need freelance grant proposal writers for scientific, medical, technical, or NIH/SBIR research grants.
  3. Fiverr Grant Writing Services – Useful for smaller, budget-friendly tasks, specific application reviews, or individual grant calendar and donor mapping setups.
• Professional Directories & Associations:
  • Freelance Grantwriters Directory – A curated directory hosted by the American Grant Writers Association (AGWA) network featuring vetted independent grant consultants and strategists.
  • The Grant Portal Directory – Connects organizations with specialized grant writers categorized by focus areas like housing, human services, and community development.
• Specialized Agencies:
  • Elevate (and similar boutique fundraising firms) – Offer comprehensive, team-based grant program building rather than just single one-off proposals.

To help point you toward the best specific writer or agency, tell me:

• What is your organization type (nonprofit, startup, academic/research)?
• What kind of grants are you targeting (federal, corporate, private foundations)?
• What is your approximate budget or timeline for submission?

Yes. You can hire either a freelance grant writer or a grant-writing agency. The best choice depends on your needs (one proposal vs. ongoing funding support, nonprofit vs. business grants, foundation vs. federal grants). Here are some places to start:

Freelance grant writers

• upwork.com — A large marketplace where you can review freelancer profiles, rates, experience, and reviews. It can be useful for finding writers with experience in specific grant types (foundation, government, SBIR/STTR, education, healthcare, etc.).
• freelancenation.com — Offers packaged grant-writing services with defined deliverables and pricing tiers.

Grant-writing agencies / consulting firms

• grantwritingservice.org — Provides grant research, proposal writing, federal grant support, nonprofit grants, and SBIR/STTR services; it states that it uses flat-fee pricing rather than taking a percentage of awards.
• quillgrants.com — Focuses on nonprofit grant development, including research, writing, grant management, and reporting support.
• seliger.com — Works with nonprofit, public-sector, and eligible business applicants on proposal writing, grant research, and editing.

What to look for before hiring

Ask candidates:

• Have you written grants in our field (arts, education, healthcare, technology, community development, research, etc.)?
• Can you provide examples of successful proposals or references?
• Do you do funder research, or only write proposals?
• Will you help with budgets, logic models, evaluation plans, and attachments?
• Do you charge a flat fee or hourly rate? (Be cautious of anyone who guarantees funding or charges only a percentage of the award.)
• Who owns the proposal materials after completion?

Typical scopes vary widely, but freelance and agency pricing often depends on grant complexity, required research, and whether you need ongoing support.

If you tell me:

1. your organization type (nonprofit, startup, university, government, etc.),
2. the grant type you’re targeting (foundation, federal, corporate, SBIR/STTR, etc.), and
3. your location or whether remote is fine,

I can help narrow this to a short list of better-fit options.

Absolutely. There are both freelance grant writers and specialized grant-writing agencies, and the right choice depends heavily on the type of funding you're pursuing.

If you're looking at EU funding, there are some particularly relevant options:

• pedal-consulting.eu — specializes in EU funding, including Horizon Europe, and offers full proposal development, coordination, budgeting and submission support. They are based in Slovakia and work internationally.
• sploro.eu — provides full or partial Horizon Europe/EU proposal writing, including concept development, impact and implementation sections.
• accelopment.com — particularly strong for research, innovation, Horizon Europe, ERC and Eurostars proposals. They offer everything from proposal review to full writing support.
• vorteks.si — Slovenia-based and focused on proposal writing in areas including tourism, anthropology and EU programmes such as Erasmus+, Interreg and Horizon Europe.
• david-herman.com — a freelance EU project developer/grant writer working with NGOs, governments, cultural organizations, universities and SMEs.
• grantprofessionals.org — useful if you're looking specifically for an individual freelance grant professional. The directory allows searches by country and location.

One important thing to watch for

I'd avoid anyone who wants a percentage of the grant if you win. The Grant Professionals Association's code of ethics specifically prohibits its members from accepting commissions or percentage-based compensation tied to the grant award. A normal fixed fee, hourly rate, or agreed project fee is much safer.

I can help you find the right one

If you tell me (1) what your organization does, (2) what country you're applying from, (3) whether you're looking for EU/national/private foundation funding, and (4) roughly how much you're trying to raise, I can shortlist 5–10 actual grant writers/agencies, compare their specialties and likely fit, and give you links/contact information.

If this is for an EU grant, I can make the shortlist specifically around Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, Interreg, Creative Europe, LIFE, EIC, etc.

Yes, you can hire individual freelance grant writers or full-service grant consulting agencies to help research, prepare, and submit your proposals.

Professional grant writers help maximize your chances of securing funding by aligning your organization's goals with the right corporate, foundation, or government funders.

Top Platforms and Directories to Find Grant Writers

• Freelance Marketplaces: General platforms like Upwork Grant Writers and Fiverr allow you to review individual freelance writer profiles, past success rates, and hourly rates or fixed project fees.
• Vetted Professional Directories: Specialized networks like The Grant Writer Directory feature vetted, independent professionals who own their own grant-writing businesses.
• Grant Consulting Agencies: Dedicated firms like Professional Grant Writers or McAllister & Quinn provide teams of multi-disciplinary experts, including project managers, editors, and former federal agency officials, ideal for large or complex government and institutional grants.

Best Practices for Hiring a Grant Writer

• Avoid Commission-Based Pay: Reputable professional associations (like the Grant Professionals Association) and ethical writers strictly do not work on a commission or percentage-of-grant basis . Always pay a flat project fee or hourly rate.
• Verify Past Success: Ask for examples of previously funded proposals (with sensitive client data redacted) and check their specific track record with your type of funding (e.g., local foundations vs. federal NIH/NSF grants).
• Assess Grant Readiness: Ensure your organization has clear programs, financials, and a strategic plan in place before hiring, as writers amplify your existing work rather than invent programs from scratch.

To help narrow down whether you need a freelancer or a larger agency, tell me:

• What is your organization type (nonprofit, small business, academic)?
• What kind of grants are you targeting (foundation, corporate, or federal)?
• What is your estimated project timeline?

• JCD Consultants - City Ranch, CA 93551
• California Consulting INC - 214 Main St #102, El Segundo, CA 90245, United States
• California Consulting LLC - 420 N Montebello Blvd #100, Montebello, CA 90640, United States
• Creative Nonprofit Business Consultants - 188 N Euclid Ave Ste 200-B, Upland, CA 91786, United States
• Anese and Associates - 5602 N Sycamore Ave, Rialto, CA 92377, United States
• Grant Training Simplified - 2500 N Verdugo Rd, Glendale, CA 91208, United States
• Holly Alsop as One Click Grants - 7610 Beverly Blvd #48654, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
• Common Cause Grants and Consulting - 1728 E 3rd St Apt 8, Long Beach, CA 90802, United States
• CREATIVE NONPROFIT BUSINESS CONSULTANTS - 10300 Arrow Route Ste 1001, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730, United States
• A to Z Grantwriting - 1600 Topanga Skyline Dr, Topanga, CA 90290
• MHM Associates Enterprises - 3155 Sedona Ct, Ontario, CA 91764, United States
• Innovative Writing - Burbank, CA 91502

Absolutely. There are both freelance grant writers and full-service grant consulting agencies you can hire. Since you're in the Antelope Valley/Southern California area, I found several options that could be a good fit, including people who work remotely.

A few worth considering

• JCD Consultants — Palmdale. Local proposal-development firm; particularly relevant if you're pursuing government contracts or formal proposals.
• California Consulting INC — El Segundo. Full-service grant research, competitive grant writing, submission, and post-award support.
• Connected Philanthropy — Nationwide nonprofit grant-seeking and grant-management support, including proposal writing and reporting.
• The Grant Writing Firm — Nationwide firm offering federal, state, and foundation grant writing and post-award management.
• scottnelsonconsulting.com — Los Angeles-based freelance consultant offering grant strategy, research, writing, and fractional/ongoing support.
• grantcanopy.com — San Diego-based consultant offering funder research, strategy, proposal writing/editing, submissions, and reporting; works remotely throughout California.
• upwork.com — Useful if you'd rather hire an individual freelancer. Current California listings include writers around $40–$100/hour, depending on experience and specialization.

What I'd recommend

If you're going after multiple grants, I'd lean toward hiring someone for more than just writing. The best arrangement is usually:

1. Grant prospect research — identify grants you're actually eligible and competitive for.
2. Grant strategy — prioritize opportunities rather than applying randomly.
3. Proposal writing — have the writer turn your programs, numbers, and impact into the application.
4. Budget/narrative assistance — make sure the financial and program pieces tell the same story.
5. Submission + reporting — ideally, have someone stay involved after the award.

I'd also avoid anyone promising that they can guarantee you'll win a grant.

If you tell me what your organization does, whether you're a nonprofit/501(c)(3), and roughly how much funding you're trying to raise, I can narrow this down to 3–5 grant writers/agencies that are specifically suited to your type of organization, and compare likely cost, specialties, and experience.

Yes, you can hire freelance grant writers and specialized agencies to help research, draft, and submit winning proposals for your organization.

Where to Find Freelance Grant Writers and Agencies

• Upwork : Excellent for browsing individual freelance grant writers with verified reviews, specialized sector backgrounds (e.g., public health, arts, STEM), and flexible hourly or project rates.
• The Grant Writer Directory by Holly Rustick : A curated directory featuring independent, vetted professional grant writers who specialize in helping nonprofits secure funding and build institutional capacity.
• The Grant Portal Directory : Offers a specialized database of pre-screened grant writers experienced in federal, state, foundation, and corporate funding streams.
• Professional Grant Writers : A specialized consultancy network providing comprehensive proposal development, prospect research, and grant readiness assessments.
• McAllister & Quinn : A larger institutional grant strategy and consulting firm suited for higher education, hospitals, local governments, and large nonprofits seeking federal or complex multi-partner grants.

Key Rules of Engagement

• Avoid contingency/commission pay: Reputable professional associations (like the Grant Professionals Association) and ethical writers strictly reject working on a percentage or commission of the grant award. They charge flat project fees, retainers, or hourly rates.
• Check readiness: Ensure your organization has clear project goals, a budget, and foundational tax exemption status (if a nonprofit) ready before onboarding a writer.

If you tell me your organization's focus (e.g., nonprofit, small business, local government) and the type of grants you need (federal, private foundation, corporate), I can narrow down the best platform or agency type for your project.

Yes, there are many freelance grant writers and specialized agencies available to help you research, structure, and write winning proposals.

Where and how you should look depends on your budget, project scope, and whether you need an individual freelancer or a full-service agency. Top platforms and directories to find vetted professionals include:

• Upwork Grant Writers Hub : Best for finding individual freelance grant writers with specific industry experience, client ratings, and hourly or project-based rates.
• Freelance Grantwriters Directory : A dedicated professional directory listing independent grant specialists working with local, state, and federal grants.
• The Grant Writer Directory by Holly Rustick : A vetted resource directory featuring independent grant professionals who specialize in nonprofit capacity building and proposal writing.

Note: Legitimate professional grant writers charge by the hour or project fee—never on a commission or percentage of the grant winnings, as working on contingency violates ethical standards of professional associations like the Grant Professionals Association (GPA).

To help narrow down the best option for you, tell me:

• What type of organization are you (nonprofit, small business, academic)?
• What is the focus area of the grant (tech, medical, arts, community services)?
• Do you need just the writing , or help with grant research and prospect lists too?

• MJH Grants - 505 Waltham St, Newton, MA 02465, United States
• Page Consulting - 675 VFW Pkwy, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
• Angilly Consulting Services - 2 Brookfield Rd, Brimfield, MA 01010, United States
• Elysian Trust - 107 Charlame St, Boston, MA 02119, United States
• LMA Grant Consulting - Beverly, MA 01915
• The Write Source, LLC - 583 Goodale Hill Rd, Glastonbury, CT 06033, United States
• Prosper Nonprofit Advisors - 93 Hillcrest Ave, Longmeadow, MA 01106, United States
• Dynamic Solution Associates - 691 Massachusetts Ave, Ste 4, Arlington, MA 02476
• Grants New England - 650 Ten Rod Rd Unit 11, North Kingstown, RI 02852, United States
• KGA Nonprofit Consulting - 8 Tallwood Ln, Weatogue, CT 06089, United States
• KGA Nonprofit Consulting - 15 Enford St, Avon, CT 06001, United States

Absolutely. There are both freelance grant writers and grant-consulting agencies that can handle everything from researching funders to writing and submitting proposals.

Since you appear to be in the Worcester area, I found several Massachusetts/New England options worth considering:

• LMA Grant Consulting — Massachusetts-based, virtual firm offering grant strategy, grant readiness, proposal writing, editing, and staff training. They work nationally.
• effectivegrants.com — Massachusetts firm led by Sharon McDonald, with 35 years of fundraising/development experience. The firm reports helping organizations secure more than $45 million and has worked with organizations including Worcester State University and the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts.
• MJH Grants — West Newton, MA, woman-owned consulting agency specializing in nonprofit development and grant support. The principal has 25+ years of nonprofit development experience and a Grant Professional Certification.
• amgrantsconsulting.com — Freelance consulting option covering foundation, government, and international grants, with experience in healthcare, human services, education, and international development.
• Grants New England — New England-based firm offering grant research, writing, grants management, and staff augmentation. They can be useful if you need ongoing capacity rather than just one proposal.
• rcconsultingboston.com — Boston-based consultant focused on grant strategy, prospecting, pipeline development, proposals, and reporting for nonprofits.
• weymouthconsulting.com — Full-service nonprofit grant consulting, including research, writing, review/editing, and planning. The firm reports $28.7M+ in grants secured.
• upwork.com — Good if you want to compare individual freelancers and hourly rates rather than commit to an agency.

What I'd recommend

If you're looking for someone to actually take grant proposals off your plate, I'd interview 2–3 people/firms and ask them for:

1. Examples of grants they've won that are similar to yours.
2. Their experience with your specific field/program.
3. Whether they do funder research or only write proposals you bring them.
4. Whether they handle the entire application and submission process.
5. Their pricing — fixed fee, hourly, or monthly retainer.
6. Whether they help with grant reporting after an award.
7. Whether they work on government grants as well as foundations.

One important point: I'd favor a consultant who charges a flat fee or hourly rate rather than a percentage of the grant award. Some grant-writing professionals explicitly avoid commission arrangements because of professional ethics.

If you tell me what your organization does, whether you're a nonprofit/501(c)(3), approximately how much you're trying to raise, and what kind of grants you're pursuing, I can narrow this down to 3–5 grant writers/agencies that are particularly well suited to you, including approximate pricing and contact information.