Looking for a Grant Writing Consultant? Here Are 10 Things You Should Know
- May 7
- 3 min read
Shauntae E. Lewis, a Certified Grant Writer, is the owner of Grant Life Consulting, a woman and veteran-owned consultancy that specializes in grant management. She is an Air Force veteran with over 18 years of experience in business writing, organizational management, and business development.
Securing funding is one of the most critical and often frustrating steps in growing a nonprofit or business. Many organizations believe the barrier to funding is simply writing a strong proposal. In reality, the challenge goes much deeper. Organizations are not losing grants because they are unqualified. They are losing because they are not positioned.
Grant writing is not just about writing. It is about strategy, structure, and alignment. That is why choosing the right grant writing consultant can directly impact your funding success. If you are considering hiring a consultant.
10 things you should know before making that decision
Certification reflects credibility: Not all grant writers operate at the same level. A Certified Grant Writer® has been trained in industry standards, ethical practices, and proven methodologies. This level of expertise matters when funding is on the line.
You need more than a writer, you need a strategist: A proposal is only one part of the process. A strong consultant helps you develop fundable programs, align your mission with funding priorities, and position your organization competitively.
The grant process starts before the application: Many organizations apply for funding without doing the foundational work. Without proper program design, data, and structure, even well-written proposals will not perform well. Strategy must come first.
Full lifecycle support matters: The grant process includes more than submitting an application. From idea development to post-award compliance, the right consultant supports you through every stage so nothing is missed.
Your vision should always lead: A great consultant does not take over your organization. Their role is to support your vision while managing the technical process so you can remain focused on leadership and impact.
Grant writing requires speaking the funder’s language: Funders are not simply reviewing proposals. They are evaluating alignment, outcomes, and impact. A skilled consultant knows how to translate your work into language that reflects what funders are looking for.
A proven framework creates consistency: Successful grant funding is not random. It requires a repeatable system. At Grant Life Consulting, we use The Grant Life Blueprint™ to ensure organizations are properly positioned before applying for funding.
Winning the grant is only the beginning: Post-award compliance, reporting, and performance tracking are essential. Many organizations struggle at this stage. Proper support ensures you maintain funding and build credibility for future opportunities.
Experience across sectors strengthens results: Different organizations require different strategies. Nonprofits, small businesses, and growing companies all have unique funding needs. A consultant with diverse experience can adapt accordingly.
Grant funding should support long-term growth: Grants should not be treated as one-time wins. They should support a broader business development strategy that builds sustainability and long-term impact.
So what is the real issue?
Most organizations are not failing because they lack passion or purpose. They are struggling because they are skipping the positioning. Before applying for funding or hiring a consultant, you need to understand where your organization stands.
Start here. This free assessment gives you a clear view of what is missing between your current state and what funders expect to see.
Where the real work happens with a Grant writing consultant
If you are serious about building a sustainable funding strategy, the work goes deeper. Inside The Grant Life Blueprint™ Bootcamp, organizations go through a structured 12-week process designed to strengthen internal systems, align programs, and build a repeatable funding strategy that funders trust.
This is not a grant writing course. This is where positioning happens. For organizations that need direct support, Grant Life Consulting provides full-service solutions including program development, grant research, proposal writing, and compliance management.
Final thoughts
Choosing the right grant writing consultant is not about finding someone to write a proposal. It is about finding a partner who understands how to position your organization for funding success before the application is ever submitted. Funding does not go to the most passionate organization. It goes to the most prepared one.
Read more from Shauntae E. Lewis
Shauntae E. Lewis, Founder & CEO/Certified Grant Writer
Shauntae E. Lewis, a Certified Grant Writer, is the owner of Grant Life Consulting, a woman and veteran-owned consultancy that specializes in grant management. She is an Air Force veteran with over 18 years of experience in business writing, organizational management, and business development. She has a background in Business and is a member of the American Grant Writers’ Association, holding professional certifications in nonprofit program and budget development and proposal writing for foundation, corporate, and government grants. Additionally, Shauntae has extensive knowledge in program design and development, organizational training, recruiting and retention, collaborative management, and marketing.
