FAQ
Q:We can't pay you now, but when we win the grant/contract, we'll pay you a commission or a percentage of the amount.
A:This is called "working on a contingency basis," and it's something that we don't do. That is, we're paid upon signing of work agreement. The primary reason for this is that a proposal is only one of several factors in an award decision. Many excellent proposals do not get funded despite everyone's hard work and best efforts. And although there seem to be many rumors to the contrary, in actuality there are very few proposal writers who will agree to work on a contingency basis. With Government contracts, you cannot include the cost of proposal preparation in your budget as a direct cost -- it must be part of your company's overhead or G&A, or it must be paid out of your profits. With regard to grants, most foundations and other grantmaking organizations will not permit you to use grant funds to pay a grantwriter.
Q:Can you help me even though you are not located in my city/state/country?
A:Sure. With technology these days, most anything can be done from afar. We often never see our clients. We communicate via e-mail and phone, send files via e-mail, and send documents by fax and overnight mail. We can also work on-site at a client's office if that is desired.
Q: Can you guarantee that I will get a grant?
A: No, we can't. Don't be taken in by books or people who guarantee you will get a grant. Unless you are willing to risk going to prison for bribing or trying to bribe someone from a funding agency, no one can guarantee that you will get a grant. If a grantwriting organization, an individual grantwriter, or a book tells you that a grant is guaranteed, this is a signal that they are dishonest. Don't contract for their services, pay them any money, or buy their book. There is no such thing as a guaranteed grant.
Q: How long does it take to prepare a proposal in response to a Government RFP?
A: There is no standard answer to this question. Many firms spend anywhere from two to four weeks -- sometimes more, sometimes less -- preparing a Government proposal, excluding any advance preparation time. In many instances, short proposals can take as much time to prepare as long proposals, so length of the proposal or the Government's page limitations is not always a factor. Here are some of the key questions that I ask prospective clients when they want to know "how long will it take?"
Q: You seem to be saying that getting a grant will take a lot of time and a lot of work. Is there a way to speed up the process and get some grant money quickly?
A: Many people don't realize that researching and applying for grants is a lot of work. You can't just fill out a form, send it in, and expect the money to arrive right away. Here are some things you should know if you are considering applying for a grant:
Grants are very competitive.
Many grants provide funds only for certain types of costs and expenses.
Some organizations accept grant proposals only at certain times of the year.
If your grant proposal/proposed program does not match the interests and requirements of the funder, it will be rejected.
It can sometimes take months before your proposal is reviewed and evaluated.
It can sometimes take months before you actually receive any money.