Proposal/Grant Writing

I. Introduction  Background Information Who is applying for what ($ or program) Agency purpose, goals and programs Constituents Credibility No jargon Is brief Leads logically to the Needs Assessment References to the appendix should be made throughout the proposal in the order mentioned

II. Assessment of Need  Be specific, don’t overkill BUT this is where you need to be competitive Relates to the goals of the organization Is supported by statistical evidence Is stated in terms of clients or beneficiaries No assumptions and no jargon Possible information on other programs

III. Program Objectives  Paste in the ones that we did in class Program Goal Program Objective Performance Objectives  A.  B.

IV. Method  Links from Program Objectives Describes the program Describes risk management and clients Describes planning (PERT) Facilities, transportation and equipment Personnel –describes staffing  Responsibilities and qualifications  Consultants – beware

V. Evaluation  This is tied to the performance objectives. How do you know that you did what you planned to do? It is also to enable improvements in future programs. Tells who will be doing the evaluation Describes data gathering methods and what is being measured Explains any tests or questionnaires Explains that an evaluation report will be produced

VI. Expected Benefits  Describe two or three exciting things – this is “boiler-plating”

VII. Future Funding  How will you fund future programs? Be self-sustaining One time only program Needs continual funding

VIII. Budget  Must be a separate sheet  Add to the appendix as well  Has to fit the above proposal with no red flags

Summary  Is written on a “letterhead” Identifies the grant/proposal applicant Should be brief, clear and interesting Includes a sentence on  Credibility  Need  Objectives  Method  Cost and funds requested

Appendix  Start at A with the first thing mentioned in the text Will include Resumes of personnel Risk management plan PERT Chart Budget Evaluation observation sheets Evaluation questionnaire Additional boiler plating

Mechanics  Cover Letter in which the summary is written is very important. Is it distinctive?  Budget should also be separate  The Proposal Title page Contents page Meat of the proposal  Good use of white spaces, single space text or double?  Must be about five pages long  Use of footnotes  No bibliography Blank last page Staple with a diagonal “fat” stapler