How to Write a Successful Grant Proposal PRESENTATION FROM THE SUCCESSBOOM CENTRE 2011

2 Key Objectives To be able to write an excellent proposal that will win funds

Importance of proposals Financing annual operating budgets Raising funds for implementing programmes and services Implement new programmes and projects 3

4 Communicating the needs Identify the needs Identify potential donors, partners and collaborators

Thinking Competitively Planning Designing Writing 5

Thinking competitively contd.. Identify where you do things in a similar manner as your competitor Identify where you will do things differently Identify your strengths and weaknesses 6

Overreaching Don’t just write a good paper…..It should be practical and workable. 7

The three “C’s” Character – More than not having a bad record Credibility - trustworthy Collatoral – Legality and track record 8

Organization Background History Accomplishments Milestones Who does it serve? Demographic information Reputation Fiscal responsibility 9

Mind the act of giving includes… Faith Hope Charity 10

Objective Short-term measurable and specific outcomes related to the problem Who are the beneficiaries? What needs confront the people? What problems are you addressing? What are the challenges faced by the people? How does your organization address these challenges? 11

Deadlines Never leave the delivery of the proposal to the last minute. Always try to apply early within the application period 12

Importance of position What is the message to the prospective donors? What difference to the beneficiaries does your intervention make? How does competing agencies’ work fit with what you’re doing? Distinctiveness of your approach 13

Keep in mind your donor The intended audience of your proposal Why are you writing the proposal? What are the donors hopes and fears, dislikes and needs Are the donors companies, individuals, trusts or foundations? 14

Testimonials and References Creative communications alone don’t convince sufficiently. What you need.. Testimonials They give credibility 15

Sacred cows Never attack your competitor 16

Application Follow procedures Time Method Forms Language 17

Co-Sponsorship of projects It might be wise to apply from different organizations rather than one 18

Double funding If you apply to many agencies for the same need, let each agency know to avoid being seen as a cheater or extorter and ruin your reputation and chances to get funds in the future. 19

People first Donors want to help individuals thus the human value in any proposal should be of utmost importance. 20

Request for Information Request for information when you are not sure about the suitability of a request, the application format, the language to use, or the time to apply. 21

Never beg If your projects are worthwhile, there is no reason for you to beg! 22

Partnerships Often, similar agencies establish a coordinating agency to assist. Example: Many Catholic organizations involved in development are members of CIDSE in Belgium. It is therefore important to know the partners in a given region. 23

Priorities 1. Focus on small-scale community development, training and empowerment 2. Aim at what is called integral development 24

Traditional Partners Agencies that have supported you in the past will normally what to help you again. 25

Getting an appointment with a donor Ask /seek the name of the appropriate person Get a referral Make an appointment (phone) Sound confident 26

Why you will never get project assistance 1. You never applied 2. You didn’t apply correctly 3. You gave up too soon 27

Project Proposal Outline Package to send to an agency must include a cover letter but don’t attach it to the proposal itself. 28

Project proposal outline contd.. Cover letter Title Page Table of Contents Summary 1. Introduction 2. Project context or justification 3. Problem Statement 29

Project Proposal Outline contd.. 4. Objectives 5. Anticipated outcomes or Results 6. Work scope or Implementation Plan 7. Project evaluation 8. Project Budget 9. Reporting 10. Project Sustainability – Future funding 11. Budget 12. Appendices, including time-table for activities 30

31 Good Luck!