What will I need to get started?
- Clear outline of your project
- Description of the problem to be solved/addressed Concept, with goals and objectives
- Target group/audience, addressing the need
- Location
- Timeline, often the proposal charts this with the activities, roles and outcomes
- Activities, the proposal should tie these to who will do the work (roles)
- Outcomes, measurable and relating back to the objectives
- Evaluation Plan, the proposal should have examples of your evaluation tools
- Resources/budget
Components of a Full Proposal
- Cover Letter
- Cover sheet/title page
- Executive Summary
- Statement of Need
- Project Objectives
- Project Description and management Plan
- Timeline
- Outcomes
- Evaluation
- Sustainability
- Organizational Capability/Capacity
- Credentials of Project Leaders
- Budget and Cost Effectiveness
- Appendices and Required Attachments
A Few Quick Rules for Proposal Writing
- Shorter is always better.
- You’re asking for money, so start your planning by asking what you need money for.
- Make sure your plans match the foundation’s goals.
- Follow their rules for format and length.
- Keep access to content easy. People rarely read proposals in sequence. Use headings if possible to identify sections.
- Answer questions:
- Statement of Need: Why is your project needed?
- Goals and Objectives: What do you want to achieve?
- Project Activities: What are you actually going to do?
- Evaluation plan: How will you prove that you achieved your goals?
- Sustainability: How will you continue it after the money runs out?
- Organizational Info: Why are you/your organization qualified to do it?
- Budget: What do you need to be able to do it?
- Speak to their needs not your own (foundations care more about their goals than yours).
- Be passionate about the need; communicate a sense of urgency.
- Shorter is better.