WBCFGrant Roposal WritingRevised May08

7/29/2019 WBCFGrant Roposal WritingRevised May08

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Grant Proposal Writing 101

Presented by Barbara Dunn

for

The Wythe-Bland Community Foundation

May 22, 2008


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Purpose & Objectives

This presentation will provide an overview of grantproposal writing to obtain funds for your nonprofit.

At the conclusion of this session, participants will:

Understand the relationship between programplanning & proposal-writing

Describe the key components of proposal-writing

Understand specific guidelines for WBCF

Apply this information to their own nonprofit work


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The Secret of Success

Do your homeworkdo your

homeworkdo your homework

Understand the community need

Determine possible solutions Find other partners

Plan your programs carefully

Research prospective funders

Develop relationships with funders Produce a well-written proposal


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Remember the basics of writing!

Double space, with 1 inch margins & standardfont (Times Roman or Ariel)

Provide titles & subheadings

Avoid long sentences or paragraphs

For easier reading, make sure theres enoughwhite space on the page

Use page numbers! 10 Page Maximum!!!!

Credit sources of data or other information(retrieved from: http://www.xxxx.org)

Address the cover letter & envelope to theappropriate person
http://www.xxxx.org/http://www.xxxx.org/


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Program Planning Model (5-6 step)(based on Va. Dept. of Education, Planning for Results Manual, 2002)

AssessNeeds

DefineGoals &

Objectives

Select &Implement

Programs

EvaluateResults &

ReportFindings

Improve& SustainProgram


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Program Planning Process

1. Identify community or organizational needs

2. Develop goals to meet those needs Achieving goals generates an impact on clients/the

organization

3. Establish objectives to work toward goals Meeting objectives produces outcomes for clients/the

organization

4. Design structured activities that address establishedobjectives Implementing activities creates organizational processes

5. Evaluate the results & report your findings Evaluating the results provides information needed to

document success & improve performance


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Making the Connections:Planning Framework

This framework helps make the connectionsamong:

Needs Goals Objectives ActivitiesActivities are designed to achieve

established objectives, which support goalsthat address identified needs.

In other words, there is an underlying theoryof action or theory of changeandlogicthatis implicit (if not explicit) in the organization ofactivities.


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These underlying assumptions are the theory (ofaction or change) behind the program activities &strategies.

When this underlying theory or conceptual

framework is supported by research documenting itssuccess and effectiveness (it works!), it maybecome a best practicemodelor evidence-based

practice.

Resource for Theories of Behavior:

National Cancer Institute (Sept. 2005). Theory ata Glance: A Guide for Health Promotion Practice.Washington, DC: NIH, DHHS.(http://www.nci.nih.gov/theory.pdf)
http://www.nci.nih.gov/theory.pdfhttp://www.nci.nih.gov/theory.pdf


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Another way to say this:

The elements of program planning can beorganized by describing the underlyingassumptions on which the program is basedan if-then message of what is intended.

For example:

Iffree immunizations are provided atconvenient times & places, then parents aremore likely to get their children fullyimmunized by age two.


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First, the homework

Identify & document the need orproblemprogram staff & managers(community capacity & resource inventory)

Identify prospective funders related tothe need identified (prospect research)development staff & managers (corporations,foundations, public sources)

Determine your approach based on

conversations with funders

developmentstaff or managers (always make contact,unless prohibited)


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Typical Grant Proposal Outline

Organizational Overview & Capacity

1. Problem Statement (needs assessment)

2. Goals & Objectives3. Project Description (select interventions &

develop implementation plan)

4. Project Budget

5. Evaluation Plan

6. Sustainability Plan


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Proposal: OrganizationalOverview & Capacity

Very short history & mission statement

Brief description of programs, clientpopulation & geographic service area

Document your expertise related to thisarea of need/concern

Establish your credibility & match withWBCF or other funders interests

Program manager--biosketch


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Step 1. Needs Assessmentor Problem Statement

Defining the Problem:

What is the problem?

How significant is it?

Who has the problem? Why do those with the problem have it? (causes &

determinants)

What are we going to do about it? (interventions:methods & strategies)

How will we know if what we do has the intendedeffect? (client/program outcomes)

(Bartholomew & others, 2006; Green & Kreuter, 2005)


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Step 1. NA Data Sources

Available Information

Periodic surveys (federal/state agencies)

Archival social indicators databases

(re: proxy indicators)

Program evaluation literature

New Information

Key informants (experts, leaders, groupinvolved)

Conduct surveys, focus groups, interviews


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Step 1. Types of Assessment & Indicators

Defining Terms

Rates: Allow data comparisons across different size groups

Example: # teen pregnancies in VA & Richmond

In 2005, rates per 1,000 females ages 10-19 years were:26.5 in VA & 71.8 in Richmond

(Divide #pregnancies by #teens 10-19 years & multiple by

1,000: 934/13,000=.0718 x 1,000=71.8)

Ratios: Compare two numbers; can use fraction or %

Example: Nonmarital birth ratiocompares # live births per

1,000 unmarried women to total # live births In 2005, US=37:100 or 37/100 (37%)

VA=32:100 (32%)

Richmond=61:100 (61%; 1,845 births)

Emporia=79:100 (79%; 33 births)


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Case Study: Youth Violence Prevention

Problem Scope & Significance

Interpersonal violence is one of the mostimportant issues facing our nations youth &

is a major public health problem.

Homicides & suicides are the 2nd & 3rdleading causes of death for 10-24 year olds.

For African-American males, homicide is theleading cause of death for 10-24 year olds.


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Problem Scope & Significance

Three important indicators of violent behaviorarrest records, victimization data, and hospitalemergency room recordshave shown significantdownward trends nationally (since peak in 1993).

A fourth key indicator of violenceconfidentialreports by youths themselvesreveals that theproportion of young people who acknowledge havingcommitted serious, potentially lethal acts of physicalviolence has remained level.

For every youth arrested in any given year, as manyas 10 are engaged in some form of violent behavior.

(Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2001)


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Step 1. Needs Assessmentor Problem Statement: Proposal

Brief statement summarizing the proposalspurpose

What is the need or problem?

Who is the target population & in whatgeographic area?

Who else is addressing this problem? Will you

work with those organizations?

Why should yourorganization try to meet thisneed/solve this problem?


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Step 2. Define Goals& Objectives: Proposal

Tasks State long-term goal of the project (doesnt

have to be measurable or necessarily attainable)

State short-term & intermediate objectives(12-24 months: knowledge, attitudes, behavior)

Select important & changeable personal &

environmental determinants (eg, risk &protective factors)


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Step 2. Define Goals & Objectives

ABCDE Method: Who, what, to what degree & when:

Audiencethe population/target audience for whom thedesired outcome is intended

Behaviorwhat is to happen; a clear statement of thebehavior change/result expected (outcome objective)

Conditionby when; the conditions under whichmeasurements will be made--may be a timeframe or uponimplementation of a specific intervention

Degreeby how much; the level of results expected (ie,

target or benchmark), which often involves measuringchange in comparison to a baseline

Evidenceas measured by; defines the method of measuringthe change expected (specific instrument or criterion)(indicator; measure)


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Step 2. Define Goals & Objectives

Objectives should be SMART: Specific, Measurable,Achievable, Realistic, & Time Sensitive

Example #1: In 12 months, there will be a 50%

reduction in unintended pregnancies among 17-18year old girls who live in Richmond City (&participate in the project). Realistic? Achievable?

Example #2: In 12 months, 75% of teen programparticipants will demonstrate increased knowledge

about healthy sexual behavior, contraceptivepractices & prevention of sexually transmitteddiseases.


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Chain of Outcomes(Innovation Network)

Short-Term

Residents improve

basic job skills &

identify jobs & career

paths of interest

Intermediate

Participants use post-training services

(job placement, child

care, transportation)

Long-Term

Increased number of

community residents

obtain & retain jobs

that support families

KNOWLEDGE/

ATTITUDES-------------------

BEHAVIOR

------------------

CONDITION

------------------

Closer in TimeEasier to Measure

More Attributable toProject

More Distant in TimeHarder to Measure

Less Attributable toProject


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Step 3. Project Description: Proposal(Interventions & Implementation)

Select Interventions/Programs:

What will you do?(project components: activities &outputs; interventions)

Why do you think it will work?(theory of change:research-based methods & strategies, best practiceexperience)

Develop Implementation Plan: How will you implement the project? (timetable,

personnel, etc.)

How will you monitor implementation? (processevaluation)


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Step 3. Project Description:Select Interventions

Tasks:

Choose an evidence-based program ortheoretical methods

Select or design practical strategies forapplying the methods

Organize program components

Ensure that the final strategies match thechange objectives

(Bartholomew & others, 2006)


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Step 3. Project Description:Select Interventions

Evidence-based interventions

Those programs that have been evaluatedthrough scientific research & found effective in

producing the results intended

Also known as science-based, research-based,and best practices

Programs are typically classified according to

strength/consistency of the evidence aspromisingproven or effective or model.


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Case Study: Youth ViolenceModels & Frameworks

Theoretical Model: A particular set ofconcepts (constructs) that are the basis of aspecific theory of behavior (eg, social cognitive;health belief; theory of planned behavior)

Conceptual Framework: Away to organize& think about concepts related to a particular issueor problem.

Example: Risk & Protective FactorsUnifying framework used by the federal Center forSubstance Abuse Prevention (CSAP) & others topredict risk & probable behavior


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Case Study: Youth ViolenceTheoretical Model:

Social Ecology/Social Development

Domains

Community/Environment

School/Peers

Family

Individual


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Summary Points: Risk & Protective Factors

Violence & other problem behaviors share similarrisk factors

Those other problem behaviors include delinquency,

school drop out, teen pregnancy, substance abuse,and certain mental disorders (eg, anxiety &depression)

There are alsoprotective factors (also calledassets) that may buffer the effects of risks

Effective programs or interventions should bedesigned to both reduce risk factors & enhanceprotective factors


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Step 3. Project Description:Implementation Plan

Elements

What will be done?

To Whom?

By Whom?

When will they do it?

How will implementation be monitored?(results from this monitoring will be part of theproject evaluation)


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Step 3. Project Description:Implementation Plan

Implementation Issues:

Systems trump programsPatrick McCarthy, Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2002

Effective outcomes require botheffectiveintervention & effective implementation That is, a program or strategy that works & a

working program

Evaluation of both implementationprocesses& client-level outcomes isnecessary


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Step 4. Project Budget: Proposal

Clearly define all project-related income &expenses, including in-kind support

Understand WBCFs typical grant size &specific budget requirements

Indicate the amount requested from thefunder, other outstanding requests & fundsalready committed

Determine what you will do if you dontreceive this or other requested funding(contingency plans)

See sample budget forms, Handout pgs.1&2


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Step 5. Evaluation Plan: Proposal

Describe how you will use the two major types of evaluationto determine program performance: Implementation or Process Evaluation: Did you perform the

services or activities as planned? Did you reach the intendedtarget population? Did you reach the intended number ofparticipants? Did it lead to the products you expected? How didthe participants perceive these services and activities?

Outcomes Evaluation: Is your target audience experiencingthe changes in knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, or awarenessthat you sought? What are the results of your work? What is itaccomplishing among your target audience? Remember, yourclient-related project objectives are your outcomes.

Indicate the timetable for evaluation, how & by whom it willbe done & when & how results will be reported Differentiate between internal monitoring & reporting & what

may be required by the funder

See the sample evaluation plan, Handout, pgs.4&5(Innovation Network, Evaluation Plan Workbook, 2005)


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Making the Connections, Logically(Innovation Network, Logic Model Workbook, 2005)


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Making the Connections:Evaluation Framework

(Innovation Network, Evaluation Plan Workbook, 2005)

Relationships between logic model & evaluation plans


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Step 6. Sustainability Plan: Proposal

Tasks

Describe how you will use results to examineprogram processes & outcomes

And, how you will make adjustments as needed toimprove program performance

Discuss your Sustainability Plan:

Must be specific: what will you do & when?

Indicate when/to whom you will make requests

Can you share costs/resources with others? Is there the potential for earned income?

Use results to develop proposals for additionalfunding


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Thank You!

Barbara H. Dunn, PhD, RN

Consultant, Health & Human Services;Associate Professor & Acting Director,

Community Nursing Organization,

VCU School of Nursing

Email: [email protected] Phone #804-330-8906 (home office);
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

Documents

WBCFGrant Roposal WritingRevised May08