Do you have experience with writing grant proposals?
Grant seeking is a vital part of many nonprofit organizations. If you have exposure to this type of work, walk the interviewer through some of your grant-seeking successes. Don't be shy about sharing the financial yields of some of your grant-seeking efforts! If you do not have experience in this area, discuss how you could assist and learn.
"I fully understand the importance of grant proposals as this process accounts for millions of dollars awarded every year to a variety of causes. Because of my undergraduate and graduate research in public policy, I have developed strong writing skills. Although my current organization employs professional writers to do these tasks, I have provided data for grant proposals and understand the grant-seeking cycle. I would be thrilled to further develop my skills in this area by completing grant proposals for Human Rights Watch."
"I have written hundreds of grant proposals throughout the years seeking funding from private foundations, corporations, individual entities, and government agencies. These proposals have resulted in fully-funding five programs providing food and shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. I understand that Humans Rights Watch does not accept government funding, and I have years of experience sourcing funding from private foundations and corporations. Consequently, not only is my portfolio vast but so is my knowledge on how to find new sources."
Keep in mind that Human Rights Watch does not accept government funding, and acknowledging that in an interview will show you have done your homework. Government funding is often a large part of a nonprofit's grant cycle, so share your insight into how you would account for that gap in potential funding sources.
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