WRITING PROPOSALS ©2009 William Holmes Fundraising and Grantsmanship College of Public and Community Service University of Massachusetts at Boston 1

PROPOSAL INGREDIENTS: 1 Cover Letter Needs/Problem Statement Project Description, Including Results Evaluation Plan Budget Request and Justification 2

PROPOSAL INGREDIENTS: 2 Capability Statement Alternative and Future Funding Plans Letters of Support and Agreement Appendix Documentation 3

PROPOSAL PROCESS: PUBLIC Solicitation RFP Application Proposal Contract/Award Letter Letter of Intent Bidders Conference Negotiation/ Site Visit 4

PROPOSAL PROCESS: PRIVATE Description Found RFP Guidelines Proposal Negotiation Contract/Award Letter Inquiry to Foundation Contact by Foundation Site VisitPresentation to Board 5

ORGANIZING WRITING: 1 1.Checklist from RFA/Guidelines/Contacts 2.Assign Coordinator 3.Assign Tasks and Responsibilities 4.Get Supplies and Tools 5.Build on Existing Documents 6.Initiate Internal Approval 6

ORGANIZING WRITING: 2 7.Verify Budgets 8.Verify Goal Criteria 9.Pay Attention to Feedback 10.Double Check: Numbers, Spelling, Style Consistency, and Required Documents 11.Cite Funding Source and Reviewer Literature 7

GEAR WRITING TO FUNDING ENVIRONMENT History and Mission Service Area Service Population Current Programs Future Plans Shared Funding 8

GEAR WRITING TO SCORING CRITERIA Project Approach: goals, outcomes, actions Needs Statement Budget Agency Capability Collaboration Evaluation Methods 9