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RE: Does grant writing fall under technical writing?
Subject:RE: Does grant writing fall under technical writing? From:"Latella, Vincent" <VINCENT -dot- LATELLA -at- saic -dot- com> To:"Diane Brennan" <dalaine00 -at- yahoo -dot- com>, <arroxaneullman -at- aol -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 4 Dec 2008 13:36:38 -0500
https://www.msu.edu/~wrac/pw/careers/grantwrit.html
That site indicates that working for a "percentage commission of the
funds they win for the organization" is "frowned upon in the non-profit
community, although it does note that some grant writers do work "by
project," which makes me wonder whether or not some write grants on a
part-time basis.
Here's an article written for The Chronicle of Higher Education (an
outstanding periodical) by a grant writer. It might give you a better
idea of whether or not grant writing sounds like your cup of tea: http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2003/06/2003062601c.htm
This one links to some good resources at the bottom (the American
Association of Grant Professionals among them), and it also delves into
the grant writing for commission issue: http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol121/grantwriter.htm
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+vincent -dot- latella=saic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+vincent -dot- latella=saic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Diane Brennan
Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 12:43 PM
To: arroxaneullman -at- aol -dot- com; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Does grant writing fall under technical writing?
Great minds think alike! I've been talking to grant writers in my area
to find out about that field because I'm also thinking about making a
switch. One of them works for a non-profit and her title is actually
fundraiser. She has an English degree, like I do, so that was
encouraging. But like technical writing, there is a networking aspect to
the job so you need to get connected to that network in your area. I'm
still researching that part of it.
But as far as being similar to technical writing, yes, it looks to me
like it is. You need to interview people to gather information, do
independent research, and put together the information. But it seems to
me that there is also some persuasive writing skills involved. It isn't
just instruction--you are building a case for why the grant should be
given to one group over another group. So this past week I started
combing book stores looking for persuasive writing books (haven't found
one yet). Right now I'm reading a book on theory of logical arguments.
I'm going to check out the UW law library over the holidays to try find
good resources on persuasive writing.
As far as the pay, a good freelance grant writer can make up to 10% of
the grant that they write, according to one grant writer I know. When I
look at salary sites, it looks like grant writers make much less than a
technical writer. So I'm not convinced yet that it's a viable career
choice. But I'm working with a friend of mine who is researching grants
for a local park where we're trying to restore native plants near a
stream so that will give me an idea of how the grant-writing process
works.
If you are part of a volunteer group, you may want to start out by
trying to research grants that would benefit your group.
________________________________
From: "arroxaneullman -at- aol -dot- com" <arroxaneullman -at- aol -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2008 9:13:41 AM
Subject: Re: Does grant writing fall under technical writing?
Grant writing is most definitely a form of technical writing. I have
known many technical writers who write grants. Of course you no more
have to be a technical writer to write grants than you have to be one to
write a training guide--but it sure as heck helps!
Happy Holidays!
Arroxane
-----Original Message-----
From: Cardimon, Craig <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>
To: Technical Writing <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Thu, 4 Dec 2008 11:14 am
Subject: Does grant writing fall under technical writing?
I was discussing grant writing with a friend who writes grants the other
day. Grants have to be written in a certain format, following guidelines
and rules. I believe you could call grant writing another form of
technical writing. My friend was dubious. What do you folks think?
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