Frequently Asked Questions About Our Grant Services

Since every grant is different, we encourage you to contact us about rates based on your particular project. Assel Grant Services offers all its clients competitive rates based on the following:

• Granting agency
• Number of pages to write
• Experience of your institution/company with grants
• Timeline until the deadline

Please contact us today to receive your quote.

You are interested in grant funding but don’t know what to do next. Here is our process:

1. 1. Contact us to describe the grant program at which you are looking to apply, the project you are trying to fund, and the anticipated deadline(s) of the grant program.
   2. We will study the requirements of the program, provide an estimated cost quote and send a non-disclosure agreement/contract with timelines and milestones.
   3. When this document has been signed by the client, work will begin.
   4. In general, clients will receive updated drafts, responses or feedback within three days of any new information from the client.
   5. Before submission, a final copy will be provided to the client for their signed approval (even if the grant is submitted electronically). This ensures the correct version of the document is submitted to the funding agency.
   6. Shortly after the submission is complete, a printed copy of the full proposal with attachments and forms will be sent to the client. An invoice will accompany this information.

Commissions are considered unethical by almost all professional organizations and funders. Many grantmakers will not fund your organization if they find out you pay consultants on this basis.

Also, there are a number of elements out of the grant writers control when it comes to how successful a proposal will be. Among these are:

• The strength of the project: its feasibility, whether it meets a clear community need, and whether it has a well-planned budget
• How well the project fits the funder’s interests
• The applying institution’s reputation, track record and financial history
• Relationships: how well the funder knows and trusts the non-profit’s board and staff
• Competition: how many other requests the funder has received, and from whom
• Funds and Timing: how much money the funder has available in this cycle

If you want to make sure that you hire a grant writer who is likely to successful, check the track record of grants funded.

For more information about commissions in grant writing, visit www.GrantWriters.org.

As a general rule, funders typically do not award grants to brand new non-profit organizations. Funders are interested in a track record of effective programs and solid individual donor support. The best solution is to use individual funding first, establish your programs, collect solid data on the effectiveness of your programs with your propulation, then look into applying for one or more grants.

Funders do not award grants to people wanting to start a business. Funders are interested in a track record of effective programs and solid finances. The Small Business Administration and local banks provide loans to those with solid business plans to start a business.

While there are some grants available to small businesses, these grants are for research only.  These grants require the applicant to provide their successful research history as well as how they plan to conduct their research using the grant funds.  These funds are not for running a business.

If you have any further questions about the process or the details involved, please feel free to contact us.