NONPROFIT

Write First

In Language,

clarity is everything.

-Confucius

Four Essential Laws

•Do your homework•Follow Instructions•Use Common Sense•Must LOVE to Read

Personality of your Proposal Your proposal is a reflection of you and your organization.

Personality of your Proposal

Responsiveness - Answer all questions, respond to all requirements even if the response indicates no experience. (Avoid N/A unless instructions specifically say to respond as N/A)

Issues - You know first hand the issues you are trying to resolve, but have you provided enough detail for anyone reading your proposal to understand the issues?

Persuasiveness - As it relates to grant writing, is a good trait. The key is to provide published accurate data.

Optimism – Reality check----is your budget realistic? Does it support your work plan? Can you reference areas in your work plan that support your budget?

Portfolio In-house documents to develop before looking for funding:

2 to 3 lines describing your activities

Based on Published data within last 5-yrs

Scientific-based, Best Practice, Unique, Effective

For entire organization and project specific

Portfolio

Describe experiences and/or past projects

A daily/weekly or monthly schedule of program

State activity, what forms/instruments used & outcomes

Staff positions with job descriptions and updated resumes

• Visual (graphic) of expected milestones

• Charts that list major activities

• Informs planned outcomes/deliverables

• Evaluative tool for internal monitoring and external reporting

Logic Models• A visual representation of your project and expected

accomplishments

• Lists activities, resources / instruments used to capture data and states short-term and long-term outputs/outcomes.

• Identifies who or which organization will be responsible to conduct the activity

• Expected Impact

Basic Principals*1. Match your ideas to the potential

funding source and thoroughly understand the goals of the grant program as described in the formal solicitation.

The proposal/application must meet

the grant program’s needs.

Read all solicitation materials and FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS!!!

*Source: USDHHS/PHS/SAMHSA. Snapshot: Overview of Grant Funding Opportunities. Rockville, MD. March 2001.

Basic Principals*2. Use the designated resources listed in the

solicitation for technical assistance and advice.

Consult with the Program Contact prior to submission of the proposal since the staff cannot comment after you have submitted your proposal. These staff members are generally under-utilized.

Participate in any technical workshops offered by the funding source.

Basic Principals*3. Begin the proposal before the

published notice or funding opportunity.

• Develop a network of contacts that may provide support to the project.

• Develop a team of key participants who will assist with developing the proposal.

Basic Principals*4. Follow the instructions and the

prescribed format in the RFA.

• “This is not the time or place to be creative.”

• “Even if you believe your format is better, don’t use it.”

Basic Principals*5. Lay out a master plan

• The plan should answer the key questions of who, what, where, when and why.

• The proposal includes goal(s), specific objectives, project description, target population, resources, time frames and a method to evaluate accomplishments. If you have additional funding sources, then explain how they will be used.

Basic Principals*6. Be reasonable and realistic.

• Justify your goals and objectives with a convincing description. Any unexplained item leaves questions about your credibility and ability.

Basic Principals*7. Provide information on all of the

review criteria.

• Be thorough, concise and to the point.

• If the application identifies specific criteria, make sure you explain how you will achieve this.

Basic Principals*8. Explain any omissions, rather than “hope that

no one will notice.”

• It is important to understand that what is not said in an application can hurt more than what is said.

• If it is not written in the application, it does not exist for the purpose of the review.

Basic Principals*9. Make a reasonable funding request and

match the budget to the scope of work.

• The budget request must relate to the narrative and the proposed scope of work. The justification must match the amount requested.

• Be specific and justify each item.

• Explain and justify the use of consultants (based on need) rather than internal staff.

Basic Principals*10. Keep the application simple, reasonable, business-like and professional.

• The proposal/application should be error free, “presentation-ready,” with the correct forms included, as indicated. Spell out acronyms and NEVER assume.

• Finally, have someone check each page of all of your copies to make sure that each packet is complete.

Common Problems

Failure to follow directions

Un-cited published data relevant to project Lack of experience or evidence of partners with experience Unrealistic large amount of work Uncertainty if project can continue or how it

can continue

Awarded Funding Based On….. Merit of program

Track record

Availability of funds

Economy, political trends, etc.

Standard Components The Proposal

Summary Introduction Problem

Statement (or Needs Assessment)

Project Objectives

Project Methods or Design

Project Evaluation Project Budget Sustainability

Activity Narrative or Goals & Objectives

• Goals are general statements that ask: Why? What is the purpose?

• Objectives are focused on outcomes and ask: What?

• Activities tell How? When? Where? And with Whom?

Goals & Objectives

Goals: Broad statements of what the program or project seeks to accomplish and for whom.

Objectives: Specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time limited statements about what the study/project will do to accomplish the goals. They are not specific activities.

Goals & ObjectivesGOALS ARE: General

statements Focus on intent Related to the

mission or purpose of the project or program

OBJECTIVES ARE: Required Reasonable Measurable Stated as Outcomes Defines Research

Focus or Population Timed Not methods

Activity Narrative

• Adhere to pitch, font, and margin rules• Organize by headings• Strategic spacing, indentation• Break-up text with figures, tables when possible

• Follow evaluation order to make it easier on reader

WHEW

Questions?