When Should a Tribe Procure a Grant Writer?
Do Not Wait Until the Deadline Is Driving the Decision
Organizations sometimes wait until a NOFO is released before deciding whether they need outside grant support. That can compress two separate processes, procurement and application development; into the same short period.
Thinking about grant-development capacity earlier gives leadership time to determine whether existing staff can reasonably manage the opportunity and, if not, what type of outside assistance would be most useful.
Know What Kind of Help You Need
Grant-writing support is not one standard service. One organization may need a technical review of an application developed internally. Another may need more comprehensive assistance with application development and coordination.
Defining the expected service helps the organization seek qualifications that match the actual need and creates clearer expectations once a consultant is engaged.
Follow the Requirements That Apply to Your Organization
Procurement requirements can depend on the organization, the source of funds, adopted policies, and other applicable requirements. Tribes and TDHEs should work from the procurement rules that actually apply to them rather than relying on a generic approach.
Starting earlier gives the organization more room to complete that process carefully instead of allowing the grant deadline to dictate procurement decisions.
How D&K Tribal Can Help
D&K offers several levels of grant-development support, including grant readiness, competitive strategy, application development, narrative assistance, technical review, and quality control. This allows a client to procure the level of assistance that complements its internal staff rather than purchasing a one-size-fits-all service.
D&K can also help prospective clients clearly understand the types of grant-development services available so they can determine what level of support best fits their needs.
Early Planning Creates Better Conditions for Grant Development
The main advantage of planning early is straightforward: time. The selected consultant has time to understand the project, staff have time to provide information, and leadership has time to make decisions before the application becomes a deadline-driven exercise.
If your Tribe, TDHE, or Tribal program is preparing for a competitive grant, strengthening an existing HUD-funded program, or addressing a compliance need, D&K Tribal can provide support tailored to your team and project. Contact D&K early to discuss the opportunity and determine the level of assistance that makes sense.