While you may think that being assigned the task of writing a proposal is nothing different from handing relief goods to the needy, think again. The profession of grant writing for nonprofits is becoming more and more in demand as charities suffer from the economic downturn. They seek financial awards and they cannot do it without a professional who is good at persuading in black and white.
Before you turn down the idea of composing a proposal for others, you may reconsider it with these big advantages that always come along with the package:
1. There is Profit in Non Profits
Non profit is not synonymous to no money. The most common misconception that people put into the business is that picture of saintly men and women in white shirts who sacrificed their income and future just to hand food to starving children. While in some aspects, it might be true, remember that even the social workers are being paid for their time, and you guessed, even people who do the grant writing for these volunteers. For the record, proposal writers even have very competitive salaries compared to scribes of other genre.
2. Involving Yourself in a Cause Connects You To People
Being part of a group gives your life a bit of direction, especially if the group is dedicated to making a positive change. There is always something about belonging to a group with the same passion, and being able to speak for it. The type of work that the writers have takes you more than skin-deep corporate relationships. It develops genuine friendships open to self-expression.
3. It Keeps Your Physical and Mental Health in Good Condition
Not unless you're spending sleepless nights for 10 consecutive days just to finish the proposal. But mind you, if you strongly feel for the cause, you need not to stay up for too long to communicate your advocacy on paper. Whenever people expose themselves to humanity and the betterment of its condition, they tend to be less of the robotic, semi-cyborgs in the city. Imagine being part of a positive social change while you do something for a living. Now that is life.
4. It Develops Skills that can be Written on Your Resume
And what's more, preparing a funding application for nonprofits is never compulsory. Once you enter the job, it will be considered volunteering as well. And when you took the initiative to dedicate yourself for a cause, it adds up to your professional integrity. Credibility aside, you'll be exposed to different writing styles that can add up to your work history.
5. Nothing Tastes Better than Succeeding in Helping Others
Whichever makes you more stressed: in the office, crunching files and numbers; or outside, making humanity better. There is just something in feeling that the world has been a better place because of you. There is some high level of fulfillment upon making a charity project possible. Nothing is more rewarding to a person than making people's lives better despite the impossible circumstances.
If you think of it closely, grant writing for a noble cause can actually be a gold mine for your career and well being.
Erin Millano has always been passionate to improve the quality of life of marginalized, low-income individuals, and families. She is a lobbyist, freelance photojournalist, and proposal writer.
