How To Get Into Grant Writing: The Diverse Career Paths of 8 Grant Professionals

When you ask a young person what they want to be when they grow up, there are often a few common responses- a doctor, an astronaut, a firefighter, a popstar; for me personally, a professional soccer player. What you likely won’t hear in response to the “dream job” question is “when I grow up, I want to be a Grant Writer!”.

Grant writing is a crucial profession for nonprofits, and it’s a rewarding and worthwhile career choice. It’s also a career you can kick-start without needing extensive prior experience! The most successful grant writers have strong written communication skills, and a passion for helping others within their community.

Interested in a career in grant writing but not sure where to start? Luckily there’s no path set in stone. Instead, there are a plethora of ways to find yourself settling into a grant-writing career.

Grant writing, like other professional skills, is one that develops with time and experience in the word of philanthropy. The path to the professional can also look extremely different from one person to the next. You can’t expect to be an expert right away, so Instrumentl’s Expert Council is here to help.

Below, members of the Council share their personal stories, revealing how they entered the grant profession and the roles that led them there. Read on to learn about their fascinating journeys, and how you may leverage their experiences to make a career move of your own.

Sometimes, the best career opportunities come when you’re not looking, so it’s always best to be prepared for the unexpected. Grant Manager and Development Professional Daphne Keys shares how she began her career in an unexpected way:
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I was serving at a small national nonprofit as the executive assistant to the CEO. We needed grant writing services; frankly, no one on the team had a clue, including me.

My boss sent me to the local Philanthropy Center for training, now known as Edyth Bush Philanthropy Center. I became certified in grant writing and began my career trajectory in donor development.

At this stage, I'm moving slowly toward primarily grant management to allow myself time with family and travel.

Daphne's career path: Executive Assistant > Admin (during the 2009-2010 crash) > Development Director > Global Resource Development Director > Consultant > Development Officer > Chief Operations Officer > Grants Manager

Don’t be Afraid to Lean In and Take Advantage of Unexpected Opportunities

When Daphne started as an executive assistant to the CEO of a national nonprofit, she didn’t know what opportunities would come her way. But she leaned into grant writing when the team needed someone to step up and she found her way to a rewarding career path.

In the nonprofit world, especially on smaller teams with less capacity, professionals often find that they are required to branch out from their day to day responsibilities. Matt Hugg, President & Founder of “Nonprofit.Courses”, entered the grant writing field out of necessity:
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There was an opportunity to get the funding from a friendly funder. I had to apply.

Most people I know fall into it. Nurses, teachers, project managers, etc. They drew the 'short straw' in their group and had to write a proposal.

It was good, and they were asked again. At some point, it became their full-time job.

Matt’s career path: Director of Development > Adjunct Instructor > Nonprofit leader > President & Founder, Nonprofit.Courses

Falling into Grants…Not by Choice

Let’s be honest, sometimes your job requires you to jump into things that you would never have willingly explored into on your own. In Matt’s situation, he couldn’t pass up a funding opportunity so he simply had to learn how to do it himself. Matt also references other examples of passionate and competent individuals that fall into the grant writing world out of necessity.

‍Although being forced into grant writing may not be the most appealing way to get started, it doesn’t mean you can’t find your way. The best things can come from unexpected, high-stakes situations like needing to take a leap when funding is on the line.

Sarah Lange, CEO/Founder, found her start in grant writing through a pivotal promotion. She was able to learn from her supervisor, and then use that knowledge to take the next step in her career.
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Two years out of college, I landed a job as an assistant development director at an arts organization and was lucky in that my boss was a great teacher. She taught me a LOT in the 6 months we worked together and when she left, they promoted me into her job.

I took a few years off to go to grad school, getting my degree in human service management, then landed a job at a community development corporation, where I was the 3rd full-time person hired. As it was a small shop, I did a LOT of different things, including grant writing.

Eventually, they made me the director of development, as the organization had grown quickly and someone needed to focus on raising money. I left that job in 1999 to start my own company.

Sarah’s career path: Assistant Development Director at an arts council > Grad School > Role at a Community Development Corporation > Director of Development > Started her own company

Climbing the Ladder when Positions Open Up

Sarah shares two very important lessons from her journey to grant writing - connecting with and learning from leaders that come before you, and being open to promotions when they arise.

Although you’ll probably experience a wide variety of managers throughout your professional career, finding a good mentor is a great way to further develop your skills, learn more about the business, and understand what it takes to get to the next level.

In addition to connecting with supervisors that can help you find your path, you also have to have the confidence to go for that promotion when it arises. Sarah didn’t hesitate when her boss’s job opened up. Instead she jumped on the opportunity and continued to grow in her new role.

Elizabeth Morgan Burrows, CEO, was motivated to get into grant writing by a desire to improve her hometown, and personal experiences with the healthcare system:
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My hometown was named one of the worst three in the US by USDA Rural Development, so I was given the opportunity to write grants and work on community development in Cayuga, Indiana.

One of the opportunities I identified was to write to the Gates Foundation for a grant to get computers and Internet in libraries in Vermillion County, Indiana.

Once I won this award, I have been addicted to grants!

In a recent interview, Elizabeth further explained her passion for helping people gain access to high quality healthcare. Elizabeth herself had battled Chrone’s disease and the Mayo Clinic saved her life, so she wants everyone to have access to the same quality healthcare that she was lucky enough to receive. According to Elizabeth, “until my two daughters can get the same quality health care that I got at Mayo Clinic to save me, that they can access that right in my hometown of Indiana, I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing”.

Elizabeth's career path: Community Development Assistant > Director of Rural Health for the State of Indiana > CEO of a Non-profit Clinic

Seeing the Bigger Picture

Although grant writing may not always be the most thrilling responsibility day to day, thinking about the difference you can make as a grant writer is a huge motivation! Without strong grant writers nonprofits cannot fund, and therefore cannot continue to deliver life-changing work.

Elizabeth’s personal connection to her hometown led her down the path to grant writing. She saw an opportunity to use her skills to bring healthcare to her community. For Elizabeth it was much more than a professional decision, it was a choice that allowed her to strengthen and support the place and people she cares about most.

Tay Hughes, a Grants Manager, found her calling in grants through an unexpected opportunity with the Trevor Project, a leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization dedicated to saving the lives of young people in the LGBTQ+ community:
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My professional journey got its beginnings through happenstance. Somewhere along the [job search] journey, a friend of mine reached out [about] a new role they were hiring for - a Grants Assistant. In true honesty, I was resistant [but] eventually I gave in.

Through all my years of study, I'd never taken a grant writing course, or learned anything to do with the subject. Through my self-developed crash course, "grant writing for dummies", I quickly realized I had the skill set, knowledge base, and qualifications and I got the job!

Today I am at an organization I'm most proud to be a part of: The Trevor Project. I feel lucky and privileged to support our organization's life-saving programs and mission through fundraising, and truly feel like my profession, purpose and passion have aligned.

Tay's career path: Grants Assistant > Grants Manager > Director of Grants > Consultant > Grants Manager

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Giving Something New a Try

Though Tay was resistant to a career in the world of grants at first, she stayed open-minded, and invested in opportunities to teach herself more about the craft. In the end, as she says, she couldn’t be happier that the people around her encouraged her to keep at it.

‍Another lesson to take from Tay’s experience is that even opportunities that don’t appear to be a good fit at first can sometimes lead you exactly where you’re meant to be. Tay is fulfilled by her role at the Trevor Project, and if it wasn't for a few tough breaks and an openness to trying something new she may not have found her passion.

Veronica Kulon’s transition from teaching to the grants world, was driven by a passion for writing, and the desire to continue helping others:
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Transitioning from a fulfilling career as a teacher to the dynamic world of grants was a pivotal moment for me.

As I pursued my master's degree in nonprofit management, I discovered a profound passion for writing, which seamlessly intersected with the intricacies of grant proposals. This realization marked the beginning of a new chapter in my professional journey.

My journey from education to the nonprofit sector has been guided by a deep-seated commitment to service and a profound belief in the transformative potential of effective grant writing.

Veronica's career path: Teacher > Program Manager > Grant Writer > Grant Manager > Grant Consultant

Finding Your Passion in Unexpected Ways

Veronica was always passionate about helping others as an educator, but her transition to the nonprofit sector meant she was doing that in a very different way. Veronica’s love for writing and experience in an academic setting were a great segway for a career in grant writing.

In addition to the transferable skills she gained as a teacher, Veronica’s passion for making the world a better place made her a great fit for the nonprofit space. She continues to be driven by this mission of strengthening communities through unlocking resources as a grants professional.

Juliet Muhindo, a Program Officer, is a longtime professional in the philanthropy space and has spent a decade working with nonprofits. She has focused on a range of activities from capacity building to fundraising, and now supports organizations in reviewing and strengthening their grant applications:
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I have been working for nonprofit organizations for the last 10 years. I have led the implementation of 4 projects.

Currently, I am working with a capacity building organization that is in partnership with 35 organizations in Kasese.

We build the capacity of local organizations in fundraising, we review their draft grant applications to enable them to have quality fundable proposals and increase their revenue.

Juliet's career path: Annual M&E Data Collection > Facilitate Trainings in Grants Writing > Monitor the Progress of the Grants

Doing What it Takes to Support Communities

Juliet’s rich experience has led her to a role in which she guides other nonprofits on best practices in grant writing. Juliet’s career is a great example of the pathways one can take in the world of grant writing. After years of working for nonprofits, she now consults and supports a wide-variety of local organizations on best practices.

The grant writing space is not limited. It is a career choice that welcomes and encourages professional growth, all while supporting organizations that are doing vital work.

It’s never too early to explore grant writing. Arnisha T. Johnson, CEO / Grant Writing Strategist, began her journey in college and discovered the impact of grant funding:
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I began my journey in college. During my sophomore year, I signed up for a work-study job site as an administrative assistant for a local nonprofit organization.

This opportunity turned into a management position overseeing a state-funded grant.

The compliance and management tasks for this grant opened my eyes to the grant world and the impact of funding for nonprofits.

Arnisha's career path: Grant Compliance and Program Manager > Grant Writer and Program Coordinator > Business and Program Strategist > Grant Writing Specialist > Grant Workshop Facilitator > CEO of Professional Grant Writing Company

Playing the Long Game

Arnisha’s decision to take a work-study position in college was her opening to grant writing, and a good reminder that it’s never too early to think about your future career! If you’re just starting out and searching for a rewarding and stable career, like Arnisha was, grant writing could be a great area to explore!

‍Oftentimes nonprofits are on the lookout for extra support, so finding a work-study, internship, volunteer, or part-time role can be a great way to get a taste for the work. And from there, who knows what wonderful places grant writing will take you!

These stories showcase the wide variety, and often unexpected, paths that can lead to successful grant-writing careers. Whether through necessity, opportunity, or passion, each of the eight professionals referenced here has found their niche in this vital field, contributing to the success and sustainability of countless organizations.

Though we explored a wide variety of career paths of the professionals above, there is one thing that ties them together. Whether you entered the nonprofit field at the beginning, middle, or towards the end of your career, if you came from inside or outside the nonprofit world, chose the field or external elements led you there, grant writers have a passion for making a difference.

If grant writing seems like it could be a good fit for you, or if you simply want to learn a bit more, Instrumentl is the right place to start. Instrumentl offers numerous FREE grant writing classes to help you learn more about grant writing and kickstart your career in this rewarding and lucrative field.