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Grant writer vs proposal writer

The differences between grant writers and proposal writers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a grant writer and a proposal writer. Additionally, a proposal writer has an average salary of $68,706, which is higher than the $52,719 average annual salary of a grant writer.

The top three skills for a grant writer include grants management, financial reports and proposal development. The most important skills for a proposal writer are subject matter experts, powerpoint, and business development.

Grant writer vs proposal writer overview

Grant WriterProposal Writer
Yearly salary$52,719$68,706
Hourly rate$25.35$33.03
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs16,70818,125
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4646
Years of experience22

What does a grant writer do?

Often working for a non-profit organization, a grant writer specializes in writing application letters for financial grants to foundations, government agencies, and companies. Their responsibilities revolve around maintaining records of data and documentation, finding grant opportunities, participating in devising strategies that benefit the company's growth, crafting correspondence, gathering requirements, and submitting and monitoring grant proposals. Furthermore, a grant writer must have in-depth knowledge and understanding of the organization they work for, including its history, vision, mission, policies, and regulations.

What does a proposal writer do?

Proposal Writers help clients win contracts, grants from the government, or even permission to perform a consulting service. They must ensure that all important information is included in the paperwork and documents.

Grant writer vs proposal writer salary

Grant writers and proposal writers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Grant WriterProposal Writer
Average salary$52,719$68,706
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $73,000Between $48,000 And $97,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVirginia
Best paying companyApplePrecise Software Solutions
Best paying industryGovernmentInsurance

Differences between grant writer and proposal writer education

There are a few differences between a grant writer and a proposal writer in terms of educational background:

Grant WriterProposal Writer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorBusinessEnglish
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Grant writer vs proposal writer demographics

Here are the differences between grant writers' and proposal writers' demographics:

Grant WriterProposal Writer
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 29.4% Female, 70.6%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 8.8% White, 71.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 8.7% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between grant writer and proposal writer duties and responsibilities

Grant writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage accounting of fix assets, perform monthly bank and account reconciliations, and manage the annual and grant-cycle budget processes.
  • Organize and manage PowerPoint presentations used for business development and site visits.
  • Manage SharePoint file organization system and wiki cooperation sites to facilitate cooperation among internal and external proposal response participants.
  • Monitor recipients for compliance with the FCMP, CFR and OMB guidelines.
  • Monitor grants that need additional attention or follow up when an institution is not in compliance with the NIH GPS.
  • Prepare and proofread work for publication.
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Proposal writer example responsibilities.

  • Manage proposals for DoD, aerospace, and commercial customers.
  • Manage prospective client information, proposal and marketing strategies through Salesforce.
  • Analyze contract documents, coordinate subcontractors and manage RFI s throughout cost proposal submission process.
  • Identify, plan, manage and respond to RFPs and RFIs from prospective clients, resulting in increase potential business.
  • Implement Salesforce for division and manage pipeline and post-award contract documentation.
  • Manage SharePoint file organization system and wiki cooperation sites to facilitate cooperation among internal and external proposal response participants.
  • Show more

Grant writer vs proposal writer skills

Common grant writer skills
  • Grants Management, 14%
  • Financial Reports, 7%
  • Proposal Development, 6%
  • PI, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Project Management, 5%
Common proposal writer skills
  • Subject Matter Experts, 12%
  • PowerPoint, 7%
  • Business Development, 6%
  • Proposal Content, 6%
  • Past Performance, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%

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