How to apply for Grant Writer (United States)

About Climate Finance Solutions

Climate Finance Solutions is a global consultancy that has secured over $1.6 billion in non-dilutive funding for climate technology companies. The firm works across the US, Europe, Canada, Australia, and emerging markets, and says it is committed to equitable access to climate funding and building the next generation of climate finance leaders.

About the role

As a grant writer, you will partner with climate innovators to develop competitive applications for federal and state funding. You will advise clients on project design and commercialization plans, shape partnership strategies, and draft technical narratives, work plans, and budget justifications. Contractors who deliver consistently are considered for the Grant Development Lead role.

A typical day

A typical day might involve coordinating with senior staff and other grant writers on multiple proposal projects, drafting technical narratives and budget justifications, and advising a climate technology client on project design or partnership strategy. You would work remotely, manage tight deadlines, and ensure high-quality proposals move through document preparation and submission.

Who Climate Finance Solutions is looking for

• Has experience drafting complex technical narratives, work plans, and budget justifications for federal or state grant proposals.
• Can manage multiple proposal projects at once while maintaining quality and meeting tight deadlines.
• Is comfortable working with senior staff, a Director of Grants, other grant writers, and an administrative team in a fully remote, fast-paced environment.
• Can advise clients on project design, commercialization plans, and partnership strategies that improve funding chances.

Tips for this application

• In your application, name specific federal or state grant programs you have written for and the dollar amounts or outcomes of those proposals.
• Show that you understand CFS's focus on climate technology and non-dilutive funding, not general nonprofit grants.
• Provide a short sample or description of a technical narrative you drafted, including how you handled work plans and budget justifications.
• Mention your experience supporting multiple proposals at once and how you met tight deadlines in a remote setting.
• Address the contract nature of the role and your interest in the Grant Development Lead path if you deliver consistently.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience writing federal and state grant proposals, including technical narratives, work plans, and budget justifications.', 'Your ability to advise clients on project design, commercialization plans, and partnership strategies.', 'Your track record of managing multiple proposal projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.', 'Your interest in climate technology and non-dilutive funding, and why you want to work at a consultancy that has secured over $1.6 billion for clients.']

Research before applying

• Review CFS's website and any public case studies to understand the types of climate technology clients they serve and the grant programs they target.
• Look up the federal and state grant programs most relevant to climate technology, such as those from the Department of Energy, EPA, or state energy offices.
• Research the backgrounds of CFS's senior staff and Director of Grants to understand their expertise and the proposal development process.
• Find examples of large non-dilutive funding awards in the climate tech space to understand the scale and requirements of the proposals CFS works on.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Walk through a federal or state grant proposal you wrote from project design through submission. What was your role and what was the outcome?
• How do you handle multiple proposals with overlapping deadlines while maintaining quality?
• Describe a time you advised a client on project design or a commercialization plan. How did your advice improve their application?
• What experience do you have with budget justifications and letters of commitment for public funding?
• Why do you want to work at a consultancy focused on climate technology and non-dilutive funding, and how would you approach the Grant Development Lead path?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention climate technology, non-dilutive funding, or federal and state grants.
• Failing to provide concrete examples of proposals you have written, including the funding program, dollar amount, and your specific contributions.
• Ignoring the contract nature of the role or the possibility of moving into the Grant Development Lead position, which shows a lack of attention to the job details.