Short answer: a grant writer for small business researches funding you actually qualify for, plans the application, and writes a narrative and budget that score well with the funder. Good grant writers charge hourly, a flat fee per application or a monthly retainer — not a percentage of the award. The most important thing to know: most grants go to nonprofits and public agencies, so for-profit small businesses need a writer who knows the programs that fund businesses.
Where small business grants really come from
- SBIR / STTR — federal research and development funding for small businesses developing new technology.
- State and local economic development programs — workforce, expansion, export and job-creation grants.
- Corporate and foundation programs — often targeted to specific owners, industries or communities.
- Partnerships with nonprofits or public agencies — where the grantee is the nonprofit or agency and your business performs funded work.
What a professional grant writer does
- Confirms eligibility so you do not waste time on grants you cannot win.
- Reads the funding notice and scoring criteria and builds the application around them.
- Writes the narrative: need, approach, outcomes, evaluation and sustainability.
- Builds a budget and justification that match the narrative.
- Assembles attachments and submits on time through the funder’s system.
How much does a grant writer cost?
Pricing depends on the funder and complexity far more than page count. A short foundation application and a federal application with a benefit-cost analysis are very different jobs. See our full breakdown of grant writing services pricing.
Red flags when hiring a grant writer
- Promises of guaranteed funding.
- Fees based on a percentage of the award (professional ethics standards discourage this, and many funders prohibit paying it from grant funds).
- Lists of “free money” grants for any business.
- No questions about your eligibility, finances or outcomes.
How to choose the right grant writer
Ask for samples in your funding area, how they confirm eligibility, how they price, and who writes the budget. For federal and infrastructure grants, look for a writer who can also produce the economic or benefit-cost analysis many programs require. GERC’s grant writing is PhD-economist led.
FAQ
Can a for-profit small business get grants?
Yes, but options are narrower than for nonprofits. SBIR/STTR, state economic development programs and targeted corporate programs are the most realistic.
Are there grant writers who work for free?
Some Small Business Development Centers and nonprofits offer free guidance, but full application writing is usually a paid service.
Want a hand with this?
GERC is a woman-owned, PhD-led government contracting firm that works with small businesses nationwide. We handle SAM.gov registration, certifications like 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, DBE and DVBE, and bid writing — bids from $1,250 when you give us a month’s notice.