Preparing to transition into grant writing

Hi everyone,

I am new member to the forum, having stumbled upon it through a Google search. So far, this website seems to be an amazing resource for both those looking to enter into the grantwriting field and those mavens of the profession.

To give a bit of backrgound about myself, I graduated with my Ph.D. in English literature from Lehigh University in May 2010. Though having won the university's award for outstanding dissertation, as well as having taught both high school and college classes for the past 10 years, I have not had much luck on the academic job market. Currently, I am adjuncting as an English professor at two local community colleges. Despite not having landed that mythical tenured-track position, I do have a book about to be published through Palgrave MacMillan. My spouse has just commenced what is looking likely to be a promising career as a sales rep for a major alcohol distributor. So for the foreseeable future, we are geographical locked. Given all of this, I have decided to explore other career paths; and after doing some research, I came across grant writing. This profession seems that it might be a very good fit: I have developed my research/ writing skills through completing my dissertation and book and my communications skills through years of teaching. Beyond that, I must admit that grant writing is really appealling to me. I am excited to work with nonprofit or for-profit organizations on long-term projects to secure funding. A major drawback in teaching for me has been the inability to work professionally with others on projects. Moreover, I would like to seem the efforts of my labors be realized materially in obtained funding.

Currently, I am registered to take a introductory grant writing course at local community college. (The course description indicates that the class will focus on how to enter the profession, as well as design fundraising campaigns and the basics of grant writing.) My question right now is a bit general: how good of a position am I in to begin entering the field and what can I do to put myself in a better position? Will having an advance degree be look upon favorably in the profession? Does being a published author help? How can I find local non-profit organizations to volunteer with so that I might be able to build up a portfolio? Also, I am planning to continue adjuncting while I start building up my portfolio. Yet I am curious as to when I might begin to charge for my services?

Thanks for any and all advice that you might have - it will be very much appreciated.