efr ch11 grantprop_sr2.11

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CHAPTER 11: HEALTH PROGRAM GRANT WRITING • Compare at least two similarities and two

differences between business plans and health program grant proposals

• Select at least three sections of a health program grant proposal and explain why these sections should be included in a grant application

• Design a SMART program objective with at least one related activity and one evaluation method for the objective

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BUSINESS PLAN AND GRANT PROPOSALS BOTH:• Convince the reader there is a need or problem

that must be addressed• Outline an intervention, purchase, or program

that addresses the concern• Present a budget and review of needed resources• Financial analysis supports feasibility• Provide a convincing rationale to obtain money

and other resources to accomplish specific goals and objectives

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BUSINESS PLANS VS. GRANT PROPOSALSBusiness plan:• Internal focus to convince

your organization’s decision makers or yourself

• Funding source typically your organization or bank

• Purpose to increase profitability

• Proprietary

Grant proposal:• External focus to convince

outside funders• Funding source typically

private foundation or government agency

• Purpose often to respond to need and develop programs

• Community based

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PLANS AND PROPOSALS COMPARED TO A LOTTERY TICKETAmount of work invested up-front:– Lottery ticket: assume 6

minutes of your time– Plan or proposal: assumes

600 minutes (10 hours) of your time

– Considerably more work to prepare a plan or proposal than to buy a lottery ticket• Approaches or reaches

publication quality• Requires planning, thought,

teamwork, and coordination

Odds of reward:– Lottery ticket: assume one to

18 million– Plan or proposal:

• Varies and can be targeted or improved

• 1:20 as a guess-timate

– Odds of winning the lottery approach zero

– Odds of getting your plan or proposal funded are uncertain but MUCH greater than zero 4


PROGRAM PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONPurposes:• Program plan• Request for specified

resources• Promise of performance

within budget• Instrument of persuasion

for funding

Definition:• A positive statement• Sets forth an activity or

program• Maximizes opportunity for

funding

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TYPES OF PROPOSALS• Planning: community needs assessment, program planning

and networking to develop and enhance community level coordination, collaboration, and partnership

• Training: training and education• Technical assistance: assist in developing, implementing,

and managing activities• Demonstration: funding for model programs, services, or

methodologies • Capital improvement: build, renovate, or acquire

equipment• Operational assistance: help fund overhead and maintain

the day-to-day activities 6


OTHER PROPOSAL DEFINITIONS

• Special project vs. ongoing activity• Solicited (RFP, RFA) vs. unsolicited• Technical vs. business• Operating vs. capital• Sole source vs. competitive• Grants vs. contracts

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KEY COMPONENTS OF A PROPOSAL

• Cover letter• Title page, headings,

and table of contents• Introduction• Problem definition• Needs assessment• Program objectives

• Theoretical framework• Program description • Resources• Resource needs• Budget• Evaluation plan• Capability statement• Plan for future funding

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COVER LETTER

• Usually first part of proposal—even if not required

• Sets tone for reviewer• Brief, neat, clear, and

accurate—on official letterhead

• Send to right agency and person

• Components:• Contact for applicant

organization• Summary of proposal• Why funder selected• Interest, capability,

and experience• Contact information

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COMPONENTS PROMOTING CLARITY• Title page: title, subtitle if needed, name and

address, date, name of funding agency• Headings and table of contents: organize and

clearly communicate your message• Remember – different reviewers may read

different parts, so some information is repeated in the cover letter and introduction of the proposal

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PROPOSAL INTRODUCTION• Establishes theme, reinforces clarity• Title, applicant organization, funding source• RFP, RFA, or funder interest the proposal

addresses• Geographic area of program• Target population description• Purpose and significance of program• Basic approach and major activity of program

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WHY DEVELOP THE PROGRAM?

• Purpose: overall aims, goals—focusing on benefits, not means—should be brief and specific

• Problem definition: nature and extent of problem resulting in need

• Documentation of need• Rationale or conceptual framework:

approaches, literature review, critique of similar, or related programs 12


WAYS TO DOCUMENT NEED• Quantitative: statistical, epidemiological,

demographic information—must explain• Qualitative: observations or stories

indicating need• Limitations of existing programs: differences

between proposed and existing programs• Evidence of demand: “market,” target group,

unserved, underserved• Link need to specific objectives

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PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Limited in number• SMART objective• Linked to program

activities and the program evaluation plan

• Three-step process:– Write the SMART

objective– Describe at least one

activity to achieve the objective

– Describe at least one related method for evaluating the objective

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SMART PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• Specific: program activity

• Measurable: count or quantity

• Achievable: realistic within time frame

• Relevant: applies to program goals

• Time frame: when activity is completed

• Healthy People 2020 objectives are great examples

Bay County Lead Prevention Program:

• Enroll at least 80% of all Bay County pediatricians in the Lead Awareness Program workshop by the end of FY 2012

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WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

• Description of program activities: methods, implementation, action plan, operations—group in appropriate order

• How (not just what) will activities be done?• Link activities to objectives• Timetable – also future plans and financing

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RESOURCES AND RESOURCE NEEDS• Organizational structure: size, board• Administration: decision-making,

coordination, accountability• Staffing: qualifications, responsibilities• Physical facilities and equipment: available

and needed – also additional staff?• Is program part of a larger operation?

How does it fit?

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BUDGET AND EXPLANATION

• Estimated expenses and income in dollars• Must be realistic and justified• Include explanatory notes – “Budget

Explanation”• Funders often recognize “padding”• Diplomatically refuse unrealistic cuts• Link the budget to the rest of the proposal

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EVALUATION PLAN PURPOSES• What is the primary purpose?• Assess effectiveness• Support continuing or additional funding• Meet legislative and accreditation

requirements• Compare programs and approaches• Feedback for monitoring and evaluation• Mechanism for accountability

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STEPS IN EVALUATION PLAN• Operational definitions for measurable objectives

• Develop measurements as indicators of achieved objectives

• Identify variables influencing performance and outcomes

• Identify data requirements and sources

• Describe measurement instruments, development, and pretesting

• Explain methods to collect data, including sampling

• Indicate data analysis approaches

• Identify the content of the final evaluation report

• Describe the evaluation staffing and management

• Develop an evaluation timeline 20


CAPABILITY STATEMENT

• Remember the quality of the proposal itself• Summarize abilities, competence, resources

(size and budget), personnel, experience, achievements, viability, reputation, and philosophy of applicant organization

• Briefly discuss origins and history• Provide evidence of adherence to standards,

endorsements, and ongoing support

21


GRANT RENEWALS

• Typically year-to-year• Adhere to funder requirements• Maintain positive relationships• Implement effective reporting• Assure effective program and financial

management• Prepare successful reapplication

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efr ch11 grantprop_sr2.11

Documents

program plan request

time plan

grantproposalsbusiness

plan orproposal

proposal introduction

funding source rfp

smart program objective

program planningand