Barbara,

Officially, I know of no professional organization specifically for proposal
writing consultants, although there are several around who do it full-time or
part-time, the latter being the case for me.  I've written some of the how-to
articles you mention, have my e-mail address on all the materials, do some
training and have a web page.  People generally contact me one way or
another, and after some exchange of materials we decide if it's a good fit.
I have a contract with a small community hospital that was negotiated
entirely through e-mail and the phone.

Your question is timely, though.  There is a group of consultants who
subscribe to the corporate and foundation listserve - CFRNET - and are trying
to form their own list to discuss issues of concern to consultants that may
be too specific for the other folks on a more general list.  We're still
looking for a virtual home.

I could arrange to have a request circulated to members of that group, and
your friend undoubtedly will generate enough responses to be able to choose a
consultant best suited to his or her needs. (I'll say up front that I'll
refrain from responding to avoid this post  being interpreted as a pitch for
generating business for myself)  The local NSFRE chapter may also be a good
route, there may be a few writers in that group.

Let me know if you'd like to try our list.  And, if there's anyone on RESADM
who free lances and is interested in joining our group, please contact me,
especially if your institution wouldn't mind hosting a listserve.

Andrew

--- On Mon, 18 Nov 1996 16:42:33 -0500  Research Administration Discussion
Group <xxxxxx@health.state.ny.us> wrote:

X-From: Barbara Gray <xxxxxx@COFC.EDU>
X-To: xxxxxx@albnydh2.health.state.ny.us

A friend who is a hospital administrator in KY just asked me how they can
find and hire good professional proposal writers on a contractual,
project-by-project basis.  Does anyone know of a professional organization
for these types of people or a registry somewhere?  Do any of the "how to"
book authors do this sort of thing on a consultant basis, or are they just
into training others to write?  I've never encountered a professional
proposal writer who literally goes from organization to organization
providing this kind of service.  Do they exist?  The successful grantspeople
I know just write proposals as part of a regular job.  Any leads you can
give me will most appreciated.  It goes without saying that I will give
advice on pros and cons of attempting this approach.  Thanks!!

Barbara H. Gray                           Telephone:  803-953-5673
Director of Sponsored Programs            FAX:        803-953-6577
University of Charleston, SC              e-mail:     xxxxxx@cofc.edu
Charleston, South Carolina  29424

-----------------End of Original Message-----------------

-------------------------------------
Andrew J. Grant, Ph.D.
Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations
The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
3080 Broadway, New York, New York 10027
Voice: (212) 678-8934; FAX: (212) 678-8941
E-mail: xxxxxx@jtsa.edu (Andrew J. Grant)
Date: 11/21/96
Time: 8:44:29 AM