Hiring a grant writer? Most organizations don't know what to ask beyond "what's your success rate?" (which, for the record, is not the question you want to lead with).

This interview question guide gives you 21 field-tested questions across six categories: credentials and experience, writing approach, process and timeline management, relationship building, business practices and ethics, and performance metrics. Every question includes a Listening Guide that tells you exactly what a strong answer sounds like and what red flags to watch for, so you can evaluate candidates with confidence even if you've never hired a grant professional before.

The template also includes a candidate scoring rubric with eight categories scored on a 1 to 5 scale, plus space for final notes and a hiring recommendation. Use it for every candidate, and you'll have an apples-to-apples comparison instead of a gut feeling.

Designed for executive directors, development directors, board members, and anyone responsible for bringing grant writing talent into their organization.