8/23/2015 ASI Convention 2014 Puebla, Mexico Writing a project proposal (a brief overview) Theodore Jaria (Communication/ASI Caribbean Union)

8/23/2015 Some Project ideas n Most funders prefer to give grants in support of special projects –Literacy –Women related –Children related  Radio/Television  Welfare   

The major components of a Proposal (source: Winning Grants by Mim Calson) 1. Cover Letter: Accompanies the proposal and briefly describes its significance. 2. Summary: a very brief (usually one- page) overview of the proposal. 3. Introduction: Presents the organization’s qualifications to carry out the proposed program plan. 8/23/2015

The major components of a Proposal 4. Need Statement: A compelling description of the need to be addressed by the applicant organization. 5. Objectives: Spells out what specific results or outcomes are to be accomplished. 8/23/2015

The major components of a Proposal 6. Methods: Describes the programs and services to achieve the desired results. 7. Evaluation: Describes a plan for assessing program accomplishments. 8/23/2015

The major components of a Proposal 8. Future funding: Provides an agency’s strategies for developing additional funding to continue the program after initial grant funding is over. 9. Budget: A line-item summary of program revenues and expenses. 8/23/2015

Step # 4 The need statement n A need statement describes a critical condition or set of conditions or a social need affecting certain people or things in a specific place at a specific time. n Answers the question, what is the community need to be addressed? n The heart of your entire case for support. n It is the hook to influence the funder to read on.

8/23/2015 The need statement: some points to keep in mind. n Should not emphasize organizational needs but rather community needs. n Be well supported with evidence, (statistical facts, expert testimony). n Consistent with the scope of your organization’s ability to respond to that need.

8/23/2015 Step # 5 Defining Clear Goals and Objectives n Goals and objectives are the outcomes of the planned program, and answer the question, how would the situation look if it were changed? n Goal - a broad-based statement of the ultimate result of the change being undertaken (a result that is sometimes unreachable in the short term). Eg: The young people in St. Patrick will be exposed to training that will enable them to be self sufficient.

8/23/2015 Writing Goals and Objectives n Definition: An objective is a measurable, time-specific result that the organization expects to accomplish as part of the grant. n It is much more narrowly defined than a goal. n Like the goal, the objective is tied to the need statement. n Eg: there will be 100 young persons involved in the training by the end of the year.

8/23/2015 Writing Objectives: Keep the following in mind. n Objectives should: –be stated in quantifiable terms. –Be stated in terms of outcomes, not methods and inputs; i.e. they should specify the result of an activity as opposed to just describing program methods. –Clearly identify the population group being served. –Be realistic and capable of being accomplished within the time frame indicated.

8/23/2015 Step # 6 Developing Your Methods/activities/strategies. n When the goals and objectives have been determined, it is time to plan how you will achieve those results. n The methods component tell funders how an organization will accomplish the objectives and answers the question, what can the organization do to change the situation?

8/23/2015 Methods/activities/strategies - should include: n A detailed description of the activities to be implemented to achieve the ends specified in the objectives. n Includes a description of program staffing along with an identification of the client populations to be served and justification of why they were selected. n Sometimes a timeline showing when methods will start and finish.(numerous objectives and methods)

8/23/2015 Example of a Timeline

Step # 7 Preparing the Evaluation Component n An evaluation is a process that determines the effectiveness and efficiency of a project. n Funders expect to know the ways an organization will measure the success of a project n How a program will be evaluated must be determined prior to the program’s implementation. 8/23/2015

Step # 8 Developing Future Funding Strategies n If the project planned is expected to continue beyond the years of the initial grant, planning needs to be done to determine how the project will be funded. 8/23/2015

Step # 8 Developing Future Funding Strategies n Two main reasons for having a future funding section: –When a program is terminated due to inadequate continuation funding, important program goals often are not achieved. Thus the original grant is not leveraged for long-term success. –Most funders give considerable attention to this section, because like you, they don’t want your project to fail once the initial grant is used up. 8/23/2015

Step # 9 Preparing the Program Budget n If you are seeking funding for a special project, you will need to develop a budget that shows the expenses and revenue you anticipate for that project. n Depending on the funding source, you may be asked for a very detailed budget or a more general outline of income and expenses. 8/23/2015

Step # 9 Preparing the Program Budget n Funders rely on the budget to help them evaluate the merit of a proposal n Speaking with funders will provide information as to whether they allow for equipment purchase or leasing, and the percentage for overheads. n The best budgets translate the methods section of the proposal into dollars 8/23/2015

In Summery n What is the community need that the plan is addressing? n Answering this question develops the need statement component of a proposal 8/23/2015

In Summery n What would an improved community situation look like? n Answering this question develops the objectives component of a proposal. 8/23/2015

In Summery n What can this organization do to improve the situation? n Answering this question develops the methods component of a proposal 8/23/2015

In Summery n How will it be determined that the project has succeeded? n Answering this question develops the evaluation component of a proposal 8/23/2015

In Summery n How much will the project cost? n Answering this question develops the budget component of a proposal. 8/23/2015

In Summery n How will the project be funded in the future? n Answering this question develops the future funding component of a proposal. 8/23/2015

End of Presentation 8/23/2015