Ethics in Grant Writing

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Join host Spring Richardson Perry and Althea Lewis as they discuss the ethics of grant writing and the controversial practice of contingency-based compensation. 

Here are some key takeaways

• Grant writers should never be paid on a contingency basis or only if a grant is awarded
• Ethical concerns center around integrity, trust, and being good stewards of funder money
• Pay-on-success models incentivize chasing large grants rather than focusing on organizational mission
• Federal grants may allow for indirect costs that can cover grant writing services
• Capacity building grants sometimes permit grant writing expenses but verify with the funder first
• Strong grant proposals require clear directions, alignment with funder priorities, and specific measurable outcomes
• Sustainability plans should leverage partnerships beyond just securing additional funding
• AI should only be used as a thought partner, not to write complete grant proposals
• Grants often go unfunded due to limited money available, not poor proposal quality
• Always request reviewer comments to strengthen future applications

To learn more about ethical grant writing practices or join Althea Lewis's Grant Writing Academy starting May 12th, contact her at [email protected] or find her on Instagram at lewis4grants.