How much does a grant writer cost for a city or county?
If your city, county or town wants outside help with grants, the first question from council is usually the cost. Prices aren't published in one place, but council papers are public, so you can see what other local governments have agreed to pay. This page sets out two real examples, the common ways grant writers charge and what the Grant Professionals Association says about percentage fees.
What cities have paid
These figures come from the cities' own council papers. They are a few years old, so treat them as a guide rather than today's market rate.
| City | Year | What the council paper says |
|---|---|---|
| San Gabriel, California | 2024 | A one-year professional services agreement for grant writing at a monthly retainer of $4,600, or $55,200 a year, with an option to extend for one more year. Staff had sent a request for proposals to six grant writing consultants. |
| Simi Valley, California | 2021 | A one-year contract for grants administration with a $4,950 monthly retainer plus up to $1,300 a month in out-of-pocket expenses, capped at $75,000 for fiscal year 2021-22, with an option for two more years. |
Both are monthly retainers. Neither paper mentions a success fee.
Ways grant writers charge
- Monthly retainer. A fixed amount each month for an agreed scope, such as finding grants, writing applications and tracking deadlines. This is what both councils above agreed to.
- Per application or per hour. A fee for each application, or hours billed as they're worked. This can suit a government that only applies for one or two grants a year.
- Staff time. Some governments hire their own grants staff instead. The cost is then salary and benefits rather than a contract.
Why percentage-of-award pay is a problem
The Grant Professionals Association's Code of Ethics says members should work for a salary, wage or fee. It also says members shall not accept or pay a finder's fee, commission or percentage compensation based on grants, and that compensation shouldn't be written into grants unless the funder allows it.
So if a proposal offers to work "for a percentage of whatever we win", ask how that fits the funder's rules before you sign.
Questions to ask before you hire
- What's included? Finding grants, writing applications, submitting them, and reporting after an award are different jobs. Check which ones the price covers.
- Who submits? Check whether your staff or the grant writer submits each application, and in whose account.
- Is there a success fee? If there is, see the section above.
- Does it need to go through procurement? San Gabriel ran a request for proposals. Your purchasing rules may require quotes or an RFP at a certain contract value.
Get a free list of open grants
Your Evenings runs a done-for-you grant desk for local governments. Each month we find the grants your government is eligible for, draft the applications for your staff to review and submit, and keep track of the deadlines. It's a flat $2,500 a month, with no success fee. Everything is done by email and shared documents, so there are no calls to schedule.
If this needs to go through a quote or RFP process, let us know and we'll follow it.
Funders decide which applications are awarded, so we can't promise that any application will be funded.
Email us for a free list of open grants · See the grant desk
Sources
All read on 30 October 2026:
- City of San Gabriel staff report, January 16, 2024: Professional Services Agreement for Grant Writing Services in the Amount of $55,200 annually (PDF)
- City of Simi Valley memorandum, August 23, 2021, Agenda Item 8B: contract for grant management services (PDF)
- Grant Professionals Association: Code of Ethics, items 17 to 20 (compensation)
This page summarizes the public documents above. It isn't legal or procurement advice. Check your own government's purchasing rules.
Written with AI assistance by Your Evenings. Last updated October 30, 2026.