How to write a winning proposal

Overview Thinking about the proposed work (the who, the what and the when) Creating the plan (identifying steps, assigning tasks) Writing the proposal Challenges to consider Tips and suggestions as you move forward

Why write a proposal? To communicate your interests and ideas To create a plan for action To use as a contract to guide your work

Thinking about the proposed work Who will be involved? What will you do? When will you do the things you want to do?

The who: Thinking about the key players Who will be involved? From the organization From the community From the field more broadly What role will each person/group play? The lead The working group The advisors

The what: Clarifying the purpose Two different evaluation grants, both designed: To build capacity for evaluation within an organization To enhance collaborative practice To provide time/resources for evaluation- related activities for existing programs relevant to child and youth (ages 0 – 18) mental health

The Evaluation Capacity Building Grant (ECBG) To create an evaluation framework consisting of: A program logic model, and An outcomes, indicators and measures chart

The Evaluation Implementation Grant: To use an established framework to conduct the evaluation (i.e., the program logic model and evaluation plan) To collect and analyze process- and/or outcome-related information To collaborate with other organizations and stakeholders to share information about the experience of implementing the evaluation project

When stating the purpose… You should provide: An introduction Relevant background information on the topic area and program A clear purpose statement and set of goals for the proposed work Example: To evaluate our anger management program in order to: 1.Verify that we are delivering the program in the way we intended, and 2.Identify particular outcomes associated with involvement in the program.

The when: Planning the proposed activities Based on the goals outlined, sketch out a plan of action Consult with stakeholders (both formally and informally) for suggested activities Think about resources ($, time, and personnel)

Writing the proposal ECBG applicants: Program overview Relevance statement Internal/external partnerships Evaluation practices Budget and justification Value added

EIG applicants: Program overview Relevance statement Overview of proposed evaluation Current evaluation practices Internal/external partnerships Budget and justification Knowledge exchange and dissemination Sustainability Value added

Common shortcomings of proposals: Pitfalls to avoid The proposed work is unclear The questions being addressed have been addressed elsewhere There is no rationale for the proposed work The proposed activities are unrealistic There are errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation

Tips for writing Avoid awkward, rambling, and run-on sentences Avoid sentence fragments Use the right word in the right place Principal Investigator or Principle Investigator? Use clear, plain language use or utilize? In view of the fact that… or Because…? Always use examples to support your point

Use an active voice The program is delivered by social workers with a specialization in CBT or Social workers specializing in CBT deliver the program Have a colleague read through to check for spelling mistakes and flow Forget stylefocus on clarity Write, re-write, and write again!

Suggestions as you move forward Be sure to read through the guidelines Make sure the title of your proposed work is clear and concise E.g. An evaluation of the Anger Management Program at Any Organization Ensure that the goals and objectives of the proposed work are concrete and relevant

Provide a strong rationale for the proposed work Make sure the activities are reasonable and achievable within the time frame allotted Speak with Centre consultants if you have questions or need information clarified

Questions? Dr. Purnima Sundar Research and Knowledge Exchange Consultant Ext