10 Remote Grant Writer Jobs to Apply For (In 2024)

Are you looking for a lucrative niche as a writer? Consider embarking on a career as a remote grant writer.

Not only that grant writers earn more than other wordsmiths, but there are also a lot of job opportunities for this line of profession. According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (NCCS), there were 1.54M non-profit organizations registered in the US in 2016. Australia has around 257,000 registered groups in operation, while Canada has 170,000 and the UK has over 488,000. Based on those numbers, it is safe to assume that full-time jobs or freelance work prospects abound in this sector. Would you like to learn more about remote grant writer jobs? Read on.

What is Grant Writing?

In a nutshell, grant writing is the process of preparing documents required by grantmakers for evaluation and eventual approval. Many organizations, especially non-profit ones, depend heavily on grant money to finance projects. They proposition government and private donors to give them financial aid so they can accomplish what they set out to do. As a grant writer, you will not only write proposal letters or fill up questionnaires provided by grantmakers. You also need to prepare other documents to win over the company, foundation, or individual giving the grant. It includes:

• Project Overview
• Plans of Action
• Proposed Budget Appropriation
• Etc.

It may not be as simple as it seems, but it can be financially rewarding. Plus, it will give you the satisfaction of knowing that what you are doing helps many people and makes this world a better place.

Compensation for Grant Writers

Based on current industry standards, freelance grant writers can charge between $25 to $100 per hour in this line of work. On the other hand, full-time grant writers can make between $48,000 to $96,000 a year.

The 10 Remote Grant Writer Jobs To Apply For

There are already many articles written about the definition and technical aspects of grant writing. So, I took a more practical approach. By the way, WHY A REMOTE JOB? One great thing about being a freelance writer is having the freedom to work anytime and anywhere and serve clients that are located far away from where you live. You may move across the country or even to a foreign land yet you can still deliver work and value to your existing and prospective clients. I explored the various sectors of non-profits where there are a lot of job opportunities for you:

1. Healthcare

Many hospitals and clinics rely on grant funding to help finance their day-to-day operation. They can also use the money to purchase, repair, or upgrade medical equipment. It also helps subsidize the cost of treating patients and providing other public healthcare services. Many medical facilities often hire in-house or even remote writers. This is to assist them in the nitty-gritty process of securing grants from government and private donors. You can offer your services to state, city, or local hospitals if you want to work in this field.

2. Medical Research

Universities, independent laboratories, and medical facilities also depend on grant money. They need it to fund research and experiments in the hope of making the next medical breakthrough. They often commission writers to prepare proposals and other things needed for the grant application. More so if most of their entire personnel are engaged with the technical and scientific aspects of the operation. The job requires the writer to sit down with the people conducting the study. This is to learn what they are aiming to accomplish so you can set it on paper. You need to be detail-oriented and persuasive in written words.  Having a passion for the advancement of medical knowledge is a big plus.

3. Environmental Protection

Non-profit organizations aiming to save our planet also need grant funding. They hire grant writers not only to help them through the application process but also to set in ink the other things they want to do. Some attempts to raise funds to pursue legal means in stopping companies whose operations are destructive to nature. Others seek funding for cleanup drives and rehabilitation of natural resources. These organizations depend on volunteers to advance their causes. Yet, many still opt to hire professional writers to take care of the grant application process. Working as a grant writer for an environmental protection organization could also mean you are doing your part in saving our planet from destruction. You can Google these non-profit organizations to check for opportunities.

4. Wildlife Conservation

There are agencies and non-profit organizations that are taking up the cudgels for great beasts and little critters. Most, if not all needed grant money to save animal species from extinction and/or maltreatment. Such groups include PETA, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Local, national, or even international chapters of this group would often hire grant writers. This is to help prepare pertinent documents for securing funding for their conservation efforts. You can try sending your resume and writing portfolio to these organizations to see if there are open opportunities for you.

5. Art, History, and Natural Riches Curators

Grants keep agencies or foundations that curate arts, historical artifacts, etc. up and running. Museums, public libraries, and zoos also depend on grant funding. The same goes for public aquariums, botanical gardens, and public parks. Add to that the caretakers of archeological sites and historical landmarks and you’ll get the picture. Masterpieces by old masters, ancient relics, and other priceless artifacts can be preserved for future generations to see through grants and donations. Grant money sustains their operation, or at least, part of it. It helps keep their facilities in good condition and maintain the well-being of their curated objects or live species of flora and fauna. Many of these curators are looking to hire full-time or freelance grant writers. They often post their wanted ad on their websites or other online job boards.

6. Human Development Programs

Besides volunteers, donations and grants are the lifeblood of many public sports and community centers. YMCA, YWCA, seniors’ centers, and the like belong to this category. These non-profit facilities play an important part in improving the quality of life in many communities. They make the youths get involved in sports or train them to become productive members of society. Or perhaps, they provide care or sponsor activities for the elderly or differently-abled people. Getting hired by any of these non-profits to help them in securing grants is great. It will be both financially and spiritually rewarding.

7. Children Development Programs

Think of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Special Education (SPED) programs, Little Leagues, and the like. These non-profit youth development programs also thrive on grants, donations, and fundraisers. Grant money helps fund vocational training, character-building exercises, and other activities for youngsters. Add to that financing treatment for children with special needs and congenital medical conditions. It might include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. Families of many of these kids cannot afford them without help and have to rely on social work assistance. Foundations and agencies that run these programs also employ grant writers.

8. Scientific Research and Explorations

Scientists from various branches and affiliations also covet grants for funding their research and exploration projects. Physicists, archeologists, and other scientists with hypotheses to prove always look for grants. Funding from government, corporate, and private sources enables them to pursue scientific answers and solutions. It allows them to launch expeditions or conduct experiments. They often need the services of grant writers to bridge the gap between them and prospective financiers.

9. Performing Arts

Performance venues such as community theaters, and local sports arenas also need continuous funding. Grant money helps in the upkeep of their facilities and equipment. We can also mention in this category production groups. It includes theater companies, symphony orchestras, and dance troupes. Grants and donations help provide allowances or stipends to local performers. This includes actors, musicians, singers, dancers, acrobats, etc. You can explore grant writing opportunities in this area as well. Especially if you have a passion for the Performing Arts, or at least appreciate the entertainment they provide.

10. Social Justice and Equality Advocacies

More and more marginalized sectors want their voices to be heard. It led to the birth of many non-profit organizations fighting for social justice and equality. Even big corporations today are already listening to the clamor for more diversity and inclusion. You would commonly find managers for this purpose in their HR departments. Yet the need for non-profit organizations that banner this advocacy remains increasingly relevant. There are a lot of grant writing opportunities in this field. It would help if you have a little legal background, or at least, familiarity with the issues you will fight for or fight against.

Parting Words

The non-profit sector is quite vast and I know that I’m barely scratching the surface with what I presented here. You may have other categories in mind too that I failed to mention. I hope you find this article informative and inspiring. Perhaps it would lead you to consider pursuing a career in grant writing. You can check out some of the biggest online job boards for opportunities. It includes Upwork, Glassdoor, Zippia, Flexjobs, SimplyHired.