Writing for non-profit organizations can be a great source of revenue for freelance writers. Unlike profit corporations, non-profit social service, health service and statewide association agencies typically aren't able to have copywriters, editors or print designers on staff. They rely on contracted services.

Non-profits have many projects which benefit from freelance help. They usually create products such as brochures, websites, newsletters, curricula, annual reports, conference advertisements, training materials, and education packets for legislators. They aspire to professional standards, and often budget for those expenses throughout the year.

In addition, non-profits seek and are awarded contracts or grants to do special projects in addition to their normal work. Because many of those projects are time-limited, it is common for pieces or all of the work of the project to be outsourced.

Non-profits can be supportive clients if you keep in mind a few tips:

1. Keep your eye on announcements of contract awards and new projects, as these might be leads for work for you.

2. Make pro-active contact with your target agencies, as well as any coordinating agencies in your area of interest. Make sure they know what you do and how to reach you.

3. Scour their websites. If the website is not thorough or is out-of-date, all the better- because it will be apparent that they do not have an internal copywriter.

4. Most funded projects end either on June 30 for states that have July 1 fiscal year starts, or on September 30, which is right before the federal fiscal year begins on October 1. The last two months of the fiscal year are often crunch time as non-profits try to finalize their project deliverables.

5. Watch the want ads. Non-profits often have high turnover, which can affect their ability to complete projects. Freelancers can land many jobs by writing to the agency, mentioning the ad, and offering freelance services if they have any project work that can be taken care of during their time of employee transition.

6. When you bid on a job, keep in mind that if a non-profit project is paid for with governmental funds, they are usually obliged to stay within the federal consultant fee limit of $450/day for speakers or writers, even if a 12-hour day is required. For this reason, it is sometimes better to quote a project price instead of an hourly or daily rate when estimating a job.

7. Non-profits are often very concerned about making sure that the materials they publish feel welcoming and inclusive to people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse points of view. Non-profits typically highly value writing and photography that values diversity, that does not exclude or oppressive any people, group of people, ethnic group, religion

8. Most non-profit projects are paid for by one or more grants or contracts. Each entity usually has requirements for printed or online work before it is published. Sometimes it has to be reviewed by the funding agencies. Almost always there is special language and/or a logo that must be included in publications. It's important to identify any restrictions when you are negotiating the job and before beginning to work on a project.

Once you find a client or two, word will spread of your availability. Non-profits are always on the look-out for creative solutions to their overwhelming workloads, and if you offer solutions, you will stay as busy as you would like to be.

Learn more about this author, Eva Smart.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How to make money as a freelance writer for non-profits?
We want to hear your view. Write now!