The title of this article might suggest that there’s not a lot of difference between these two roles, but the roles are much more similar than different. A grant writer is someone who works with nonprofit organizations to find funding for their projects. A grant writer might work with a non-profit to create a grant proposal for a particular purpose (e.g. fundraising, enhancing member benefits, etc). A grant writer could also be involved in the planning stages of a project and help create the budget for the project.
While it’s useful to understand the difference between these two titles, it’s not always easy to explain exactly what each role entails. This blog post will discuss some of the main differences between a grants writer and a general-purpose writer. It will also provide some examples of how each role might play out in a real-world context.
The Difference In the Work You’ll Be Performing
The first and most obvious difference between a grants writer and a general-purpose writer is the work that you’ll be performing. A grants writer will be involved with proposals for the government (federal, state, and local) as well as foundations and other private sources of funding. Your work will involve a lot of research into existing laws and regulations as well as interactions with the government.
A typical grants proposal might include a budget, a project timeline, and a description of the proposed project. You’ll also need to know the proper formatting for each of these items. The work is very similar to that of a legal assistant or a paralegal. Just because you don’t hold a law degree doesn’t mean that you can’t perform this function. Many paralegals now work in legal aid offices, helping disabled people navigate the legal system. Similarly, a well-prepared grants writer should be able to jump in and assist with legal matters relating to their work (which could include contract negotiation, preparing legal documents, etc).
In contrast, a general-purpose writer will usually be asked to write short stories, feature articles, and/or non-fiction books. These are all forms of writing that a typical magazine editor or publisher will request. Your work will vary but will mostly consist of creating and/or editing content for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Some general-purpose writers will also be asked to write ad copy or to contribute material for promotional campaigns (e.g. press releases, social media posts, etc).
Aside from the work you’ll be performing, another important difference between a grants writer and a general-purpose writer is the educational background that’s required. A basic knowledge of the English language and the ability to perform basic mathematical calculations are all necessary. In addition, you’ll need to have a thorough understanding of all federal and local regulations pertaining to the funding that you receive. If you’re applying for state funding, you’ll also need to know about state regulations that could impact the projects that you work on.
To get a better grasp on the differences between these two roles, consider the following:
- A grants writer researches and writes proposals for funding from a variety of sources, while a general purpose writer creates and/or edits magazine articles, short stories, etc for publication.
- A grants writer prepares written agreements and legal documents, such as stockholder agreements, leases, etc, while a general purpose writer prepares contracts and agreements relating to the projects that they work on.
- A grants writer handles day-to-day business matters relating to their work, including email correspondence, meeting with clients, and reviewing financial reports. A general purpose writer often has less responsibility and is often asked to produce more content with less direct involvement from clients.
- The work of a grants writer is almost entirely administrative in nature, whereas that of a general purpose writer involves a lot of research and creative thought. An important distinction to make is that a researcher could be considered a type of a writer. However, a researcher isn’t normally considered a type of a writer. A good researcher can write up their findings in a clear, concise manner that is beneficial to a reader. This is something that a general-purpose writer would not normally be asked to do.
- Grants are generally awarded to projects, while a general-purpose writer is often asked to produce content for publication. The requirements for a grants writer include a clear knowledge of the federal government, while the requirements for a general purpose writer include a clear knowledge of the English language and basic mathematical skills.
The Difference In The Setting You’ll Work In
Another important distinction between a grants writer and a general-purpose writer is the setting that they’ll work in. A grants writer will usually work in a professional setting, either at an office or a home office, depending on the nature of the work that they do. A general purpose writer will normally work in a more traditional setting, either at a desk in an office or at home, depending on the nature of the work that they do. The most important thing to keep in mind is that while both settings could be considered productive, a grants writer usually works in a more professional setting.