Grant writing questions, answered

Most professional grant writers charge a flat fee per proposal or an hourly rate. Flat fees commonly range from about $1,000 for a short foundation letter of inquiry to $5,000 or more for a complex federal application. Hourly rates typically run $60 to $150 an hour. We quote a fixed price up front so you know the cost before any work begins.

Reputable grant writers do not work on commission. The Grant Professionals Association code of ethics prohibits charging a percentage of grant funds or contingency fees, because it creates a conflict of interest and many funders prohibit it. We charge a flat fee, never a percentage of the award.

No ethical grant professional can guarantee an award, because funders make the final decision based on their priorities and budgets. Anyone who promises funding is a warning sign. What we guarantee is a clear, compliant, well-argued proposal that meets every requirement and gives your project its strongest possible case.

A simple foundation proposal can take one to two weeks, while a federal application often takes four to eight weeks or more. Timelines depend on the complexity of the opportunity and how grant-ready your materials are. We recommend starting at least six weeks before a deadline whenever possible.

A grant writer researches funders, interprets the application guidelines, and writes the narrative, including the needs statement, goals and objectives, project design, evaluation plan, and budget justification. A strong grant writer also strengthens your underlying case for support, not just the words on the page.

For organizations without the time or specialized experience to write a competitive proposal, hiring a grant writer is often worth it. A professional improves compliance, clarity, and competitiveness, and frees your team to run the program. The right question is not only cost but the value of the funding you are pursuing and the cost of a weak submission.

To start, we need a description of your program, who it serves, the funder or opportunity you are targeting, your budget, and supporting documents like your organizational background and past outcomes. If you are missing pieces, we will help you build them as part of the process.

Most grants are awarded to organizations such as nonprofits, small businesses, schools, and research institutions rather than to individuals. We focus on organizational and business funding, including foundation, federal, state, nonprofit, and research grants like SBIR and STTR.

After you submit a request, a certified grant professional reviews your project and emails you a written, flat-fee quote, usually within one business day. Nothing is due until you approve the scope and price. Once you approve, payment is a single click and the work begins.

Payment is handled securely by Stripe through our payment processor. Grant Writing Service is operated by Lunastric LLC, so a charge may appear as LUNASTRIC LLC on your bank statement. We accept card payments and send a branded receipt.