How To Hire A Freelance Bid Writer Or Charity Fundraiser

A freelance bid writer or charity fundraiser can be a very good way to access bid writer expertise, but fundraisers are in huge demand. Here's everything you need to find and hire a professional bid writer, including understanding cost, charges and day rates.  My thanks to Alexander and Anna from Blume for their professional input to improve this resource. I have used Blume' services myself.

Free Charity AI Fundraising Bid Writer Service

Register then login and the in-system AI bunny will act as your personal charity freelance bid writer and create your fundraising case for support for free.  But we do a lot more than that.  Funding Finder finds grant funding, Company Donations Finder, support from companies, and online health checks, including fundraising and lots more.

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• Available quickly and used to working independently.
• Lower overheads than large consultancies.
• Flexible and project-based – easy to start and stop.
• Can strengthen resilience during uncertain times: Read more here from our friends at Blume.

Charity Freelance Bid Writer - Disadvantages

• If they’re unwell or unavailable, work may pause.
• Usually home-based, so not always present in your office.
• Quality varies – you’ll need to assess fit and experience carefully.

Freelance Fundraiser Day Rates

Rates vary, but typically range from £250 to £400 per day, with some as low as £150 and others as high as £800. Agencies may charge more. Many freelancers will consider offering discounts to small charities or taking on long-term work.

Remember: Freelancer rates are not comparable to those of salaried staff, as they cover their own costs, including pensions and taxes. They often bring their software to the table, too, covering the costs of subscriptions and keeping things up to date.

Experienced Freelancers for Charities. Hire experienced, vetted charity freelancers confidently, easily and affordably. We have brilliant people ready to deploy into your charity to get things done. We have worked for more than 150 charities; 70% have used us again so far! We cover all areas: Fundraising, CEO Support, Finance, Marketing and Communications, HR and Operations. And jobs of all sizes, including interim, part-time, and project-based roles. Arrange a free consultation with Alexander.

So, How Do I Pick A Great Freelance Bid Writer?

• Review multiple candidates to find the right fit.
• Price matters, but skill and experience drive results.
• Ask for a CV and work history, plus at least two references.
• Be clear on what success looks like and how they’ll achieve it.

Use Blume! Every freelancer comes with testimonials, reviews and some are even recommended!

How To Get The Most From A Charity Freelance Fundraiser, Or Bid Writer?

• Use a simple written agreement with clear deliverables.
  • Use templates from the Charity Excellence income questionnaire to help.
• Never pay based solely on commission – it’s risky and often frowned upon.
• Provide timely and accurate information to avoid delays.
• Ask for clear, itemised invoices.
• Work collaboratively to maximise success and learning.

Be aware and comply with the regulations governing working with fundraising commercial partners - part of this is having the agreement above. The CEF has a fundraising freelancer example agreement that you can use for this.

What Results Can I Expect From A Freelance Fundraiser?

No fundraiser can guarantee to bring in the amounts you want, because the decision to award a grant isn't theirs to make. I chaired a grant making board for a decade and there is huge competition. Sadly, not every great bid gets the funding it deserves.

And how appealing bids are varies from charity to charity.  Factors to think about.

• Competition - trust and foundation fundraising is now much more competitive.
• Funder Priorities - as at end 2024, funders were more focussed on the vulnerable, food banks.
• Number of Grants Available - there are far more grants available for young people than the LGBTQI+ community.
• Number of Opportunities - if you've already engaged and/secured funding from the most obvious/best funders, it'll be harder to find good new ones.
• Warm v Cold - if funders know your charity, they're more likely to be open to a bid.

What a good fundraiser will do, is maximise your chances of being successful.

How Would A Freelance Bid Writer Help My Charity?

No fundraiser can guarantee success. Funders’ priorities shift, and competition is tough. But a great freelancer will give you the best possible chance. They’ll help you:

• Build a prospect list.
• Understand funder preferences and priorities.
• Write competitive, compelling bids.
• Increase your ‘warm’ funder relationships, which significantly improve success rates.

Other Types of Freelancers Charities Use

While freelance fundraisers and bid writers are often in high demand, charities are increasingly turning to freelance and interim professionals across a range of roles. These include interim CEOs to provide leadership through transition periods, senior strategic advisors, marketing and communications specialists, finance professionals, HR consultants, and operational support. This flexible approach gives charities access to high-level expertise without the long-term cost or commitment – and can be invaluable during periods of change, growth, or uncertainty.

Not Sure Where to Start? Have a Chat First

Knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming – especially if your charity hasn’t used freelancers before. That’s why we’ve teamed up with our friends at Blume, a specialist platform for freelance and interim professionals in the charity sector.

They offer a free 20-minute consultation with their founder, Alexander Stevenson, to talk through your needs and help point you in the right direction. You can book directly here.

A registered charity ourselves, the CEF works for any non profit, not just charities.

• Funding Finder - with categories for Core Cost Funding and Small Charities & Community Groups.
• Help Finder – find anything for free, including companies that make financial donations and raffle prizes.
• Data Finder – for fundraising bids & research, impact reporting, planning and campaigning.

Plus, 60+ policies, 8 online health checks and the huge resource base.

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This Article on Freelance Bid Writers Is Not Professional Advice

This article on freelance bid writers for charities is for general interest only and does not constitute professional legal or financial advice.  I'm neither a lawyer, nor an accountant, so not able to provide this, and I cannot write guidance that covers every charity or eventuality.  I have included links to relevant regulatory guidance, which you must check to ensure that whatever you create reflects correctly your charity’s needs and your obligations.  In using this resource, you accept that I have no responsibility whatsoever from any harm, loss or other detriment that may arise from your use of my work.  If you need professional advice, you must seek this from someone else. To do so, register, then login and use the Help Finder directory to find pro bono support. Everything is free.