Grant writing basics creating a fundable proposal
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This document provides guidance on writing effective grant proposals. It begins by outlining the training goals, which are to help communities identify problems and solutions and understand the grant writing process. It then discusses identifying a good project idea by considering an organization's mission and priorities. The next sections cover assessing an organization's capabilities, sharing the project idea, and generating community support. The document emphasizes including key components in the proposal like needs assessment, goals and objectives, timeline, budget and evaluation plan. It stresses writing clearly and compellingly to engage the reader and convince them the proposed project deserves funding. Overall, the document aims to equip readers with the skills needed to develop strong grant proposals that will help their organizations receive financial support.
Grant writing basics creating a fundable proposal
- 1. Grant Writing Basics: Creating a Fundable Proposal Marina Eşanu Access Alumna 2012,Ungheni Ana Ciubotaru Access Alumna 2012,Ungheni Robyn Savacool Peace Corps Volunteer
- 2. Training Goals and Objectives: • Increase the ability of communities and organizations to identify local problems and their solutions. • Create understanding of the grant writing process. • Describe process to prepare and submit grant proposals.
- 3. What Is a Good Idea? 1. What is your mission? 2. What are your goals? 3. What vision does your group share? 4. What are your highest priorities? 5. Do you have an organizational role- model? 1. Does your idea have broad impact? 2. Is it Innovative? Timely? Significant? Replicable? Realistic? 3. What action are you ready to take? 4. Is your group eager to get started?
- 4. Assessing Your Capabilities • Organizational strengths? • Special skills? • Why does your group deserve to be funded? • Can you do the work? • Can you overcome obstacles? • Are you motivated enough to make this happen?
- 5. Share Your Project Idea Interview Overview • Describe your group. • What is your problem? • What is your solution? • How much money do you need? • How long will it take to accomplish your goals? • How will your organization/community improve if the problem is resolved?
- 6. Generating Support Build community support before you apply for funding. Brainstorm ideas for local support -
- 7. How Do I Write a Good Proposal? • Follow the grant guidelines exactly • Tell a memorable story • Engage the reader • Focus on people • Use examples • Have a clear timeline and accurate budget • Allow time for review and rewriting
- 8. All Proposals Usually include - 1. A memorable & accurate Title (10-20 words) 2. An Abstract/Project Overview 3. Organizational History/Qualifications 4. A Statement of Need with community data 5. Project Description/Details 6. Outcome-based Goals and Objectives to meet the identified need 7. Timeline 8. Evaluation 9. Budget 10.Sustainability 11.Appendices: Resumes/Press Clippings/Letters of Support
- 9. The Need Section is the Most Important Part of Your Proposal Describe the problem in clear and convincing terms. Provide narrative and numerical evidence of need. (Demographics) Show how your community compares with others: Local, Regional, National and International. How does this problem relate to a larger set of problems? (Snowball effect) Is the need increasing? Are other needs emerging? Create pictures showing need. Focus on people. Convince the reader of your need. Engage the reader in thinking about solutions.
- 10. Your Data Confirms the Need • Provide convincing and compelling evidence • Compare your community with others • Show changes in need over time • Use maps/charts to show conditions • Convince the reader of your need • What will happen if no adjustments are made ? • Provide awareness of other approaches/ studies
- 11. 1. Project Title • Funder will use for promoting and publicizing project within their organizational literature • The essence of the project
- 12. Team Skills & Experience • Provide narrative descriptions of the skills and experience. • The funding source will want to know you are capable of the performing the work. • Include educational background, grant experience, leadership and organizational skills of the team members. • Complete resumes can be included in the appendices.
- 13. 3. Project Overview/Summary • Use active language • Briefly describe the need • Summarize the most important parts of the timeline. • How much will the project cost? • Who is working with you? Supports you?
- 14. 5. Project Description • The selected project must meet the need you describe. • Details assure the reader you know what you are doing. • Use language that is easy to understand by those less familiar with your approach/business/organization. • Clearly explain how the selected action will benefit various stakeholders. • Identify any challenges you anticipate with this project. • Describe results or outcomes of the project. • Create a vision of what the community will look like once the project is completed. • Make sure that your proposal shows how you will achieve your project goals.
- 15. The Approaches You Consider Should be Bold and Innovative Your solutions need to “fit” the problem. Solution should be in scale with the needs/resources. Convince the reader your approaches will work. Believe in your project and your abilities. Your approaches should work for other communities. The selected approaches need to match organizational goals and objectives. You need a clear plan of action.
- 16. Successful Solutions mean: • You need to assure the reader that this is the “right” solution to the problem/need you have described. • It is important that this approach can be replicated to solve similar needs elsewhere. • You should know if this approach has been used successfully or unsuccessfully by other groups. • You should be prepared to demonstrate that this is a “cost- effective” approach. • Make sure the “solution” you support has no negative side-effects.
- 17. 6. Goals and Objectives • Goals describe the end results (outcome) • Objectives are logical pathway to outcomes • Progress not just completion
- 18. Be Smart About Goals! • Goals should be SMART: – Specific – Measurable – Attainable – Realistic – Time-Specific
- 19. 7. Project Timeline • Develop a timeline that coincides with grant funding period. • Show the reader what you will deliver and when it will happen. • Make sure that you reiterate and refer to the steps for project completion as you develop the proposal. • Use both graphics and narrative devices to show how the project will progress. • Must be a PLAN FOR SUCCESS • Distinct steps, stages, phases • Logical progression
- 20. • Timeline Example Task Month (s) Date 1.Designate Project Coordinator 0 – 1 January 2. Hold Community meetings 2 February 3. Create recycling center 3-4 March-April 4. Identify sources for recyclables 3-4 March-April 5. Establish agreements with sources 3-4 March-April 6. Develop recycling schedule, materials pickup 4-5 April-May 7. Community Outreach and Education 3,6,9,12 March, June, September, December 8. Reinvest profits in community based on need 12 December
- 21. 8. Evaluation • A process to determine success of project internally (budget, timeline, goals and objectives) • A long-term measure of progress over time • Stakeholders feedback, direct and through staff • Evaluation needs to provide for the input of as many stakeholders as possible. • Project outcomes are a central feature for evaluating and funding your project. • Organizational growth leads to better chances of funding in the future
- 22. Strategy for Proposal Development • Identify elements that MUST be in your proposal • Outline the sections of the proposal • Prepare a timeline for proposal development • Collect necessary background data • Divide labor and assign tasks • Plan to get a DRAFT out early so the “team” can review and rewrite
- 23. Submitting the Proposal • Have someone who did NOT write the proposal read and edit the proposal. • Do you meet all required guidelines? • All the required signatures? • Deliver proposal on time. • Present a clear, well-organized proposal • Keep it simple • Do not include materials beyond what is asked for
- 24. You are awarded a grant! • A proposal is a contract to do work • When your proposal is accepted – It’s time to begin work – Have your team ready – Ideally, you’ll have some of the work already in-progress • Review your proposal • Get your team to work.
- 25. Remember….. • Good proposals do not always get funded • Ask for feedback from reviewers • Don’t give up! • Improve and resubmit the application • Look for different/better funding sources