If you’ve ever tried securing grant funding, you know it’s no easy feat. It’s a bit like fishing-you cast your line, hoping for a bite, but the process requires patience, skill, and the right bait (in this case, a stellar grant application). So, when it comes to writing these bids, should you hire a freelance bid writer or use Fundin.ai?
Let’s step into the shoes of a typical organisation looking for funding.
The Freelancer Route: Flexibility but Uncertainty
Meet Sarah. She runs a small but ambitious non-profit focused on community development. Funding is essential for her projects, but her team is stretched thin. She decides to hire a freelancer to help with grant applications.
1. Cost: The Numbers Add Up Quickly
Sarah finds an experienced freelancer online. Their day rate is £300, and they estimate a bid will take one full day to complete. Her average success rate for grants is 1 in 4, Sarah quickly realises she’s spending £1,200 to secure just one successful grant.
That’s assuming she only needs four applications. If she needs more, the costs multiply fast. For a growing organisation, this is a hefty investment with no guaranteed return.
2. Availability & Reliability Issues
Sarah is ready to get started, but the freelancer isn’t. Their schedule is packed, and she has to wait two weeks before they can begin. When they do, things go well-until the freelancer gets another big project and suddenly isn’t as responsive. A crucial deadline approaches, and Sarah is left wondering if the bid will be submitted on time.
3. Inconsistent Quality
While Sarah’s freelancer is talented, their style doesn’t quite match her organisation’s voice. Some applications are excellent, others need revisions. Each time, Sarah has to go back and forth providing feedback, adding extra hours to the process. The inconsistency makes it difficult to feel confident in every bid submission.
4. They Don’t Submit Bids
One major drawback is that most freelancers will write the bid, but won’t handle the actual submission. This means Sarah has to go through the process of submitting each grant herself, ensuring she meets all the technical requirements and deadlines. If something is missing or incorrect, the application could be rejected before it’s even considered.
5. Communication is Inconsistent
Freelancers juggle multiple clients, meaning their responsiveness varies. Sometimes Sarah gets quick replies; other times, she’s left waiting days for an update. This inconsistency can make project management stressful and inefficient.
The Fundin Advantage: Consistent, Scalable, and Affordable
Now, let’s rewind and see what happens if Sarah chooses Fundin.ai instead.
1. Fixed, Predictable Pricing
Instead of paying per bid, Sarah opts for a £299 per month Fundin subscription, which includes four bid applications. Compared to the £1,200 she would have spent on a freelancer, this is a huge saving.
Plus, Fundin operates on a success-based pricing model, meaning she only pays a small percentage if she secures funding. No wasted costs-only results.
2. Always Available, No Delays
With Fundin, Sarah doesn’t have to wait for a freelancer’s availability. She logs in, enters her details, and the AI-powered platform begins drafting bids immediately. Need to submit something urgently? No problem-Fundin is always ready to go.
3. AI-Powered Grant Matching
Instead of spending hours manually researching opportunities, Fundin’s AI scans through thousands of grants to find the best matches for Sarah’s organisation. The system prioritises those with the highest success rates, ensuring Sarah’s applications go to the most relevant funders.
4. Consistent Quality, Expert Oversight
Every bid Sarah submits through Fundin is expert-reviewed, ensuring consistent quality. Unlike with a freelancer, there’s no variation in style or attention to detail. She can be confident that each bid is polished and professional.
5. Scalability & Flexibility
Sarah’s organisation is growing, and with Fundin, she can easily scale up her grant applications. If she needs to submit more bids one month, she can simply add credits without worrying about a freelancer’s availability or schedule.
6. Dedicated Support with a Personal Touch
Fundin allocates each user a dedicated bid writer who is on hand to provide support throughout the process. Just like freelancers, this ensures a personalised experience-but with the added benefit of consistency, reliability, and round-the-clock accessibility.
Cost Comparison: Fundin vs Freelancer
| Factor | Freelancer | Fundin.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per bid | £300 | Included in subscription |
| 4 bids per month | £1,200 | £299 |
| Success rate | 1 in 4 | Higher due to expert support & AI |
| Total cost per successful grant | £1,200 | £299 + success fee |
| Availability | Variable | Immediate |
| Scalability | Limited | Unlimited |
| Consistency | Varies by freelancer | Always expert-reviewed |
Beyond the Numbers: The Stress Factor
Hiring a freelancer isn’t just about cost-it’s also about peace of mind. Sarah found that chasing down her freelancer for updates, revising drafts, and worrying about deadlines added unnecessary stress to her already full plate.
With Fundin, she felt reassured knowing that applications were being handled efficiently, professionally, and on time. She could focus on running her organisation instead of project managing a freelancer.
The Fundin Story: We Knew There Had to Be a Better Way
At Fundin, we weren’t always a tech company-we started as a traditional agency, helping organisations secure funding. But we saw firsthand how inefficient and expensive the process was. Clients struggled with unpredictable costs, inconsistent freelancers, and the sheer complexity of grant applications.
So, we asked: What if there was a smarter way?
That’s why we built Fundin-to take the stress out of grant writing, combining AI technology with expert human review to create a scalable, reliable, and cost-effective solution.
The Verdict: Fundin Wins on Value, Reliability & Efficiency
While freelancers can provide a personal touch, the drawbacks-higher costs, limited availability, and inconsistent quality-make them a riskier option. Fundin, on the other hand, delivers predictable pricing, immediate access, dedicated bid writer support, scalable solutions, and expert-reviewed applications.
At the end of the day, securing funding is about increasing your chances of success without draining your budget or your energy.
If you’re serious about winning more grants without the uncertainty and high costs of freelancers, Fundin is the way to go.
