PROPOSAL WRITING

PROPOSAL WRITINGObjectivesTo understand the concept of Proposal Writing.Steps to Proposal Development.To explore the elements included in Proposals.

What is a Proposal A proposal is a persuasive presentation for the receipt of resources in the form of a grant.

It is an agency marketing toolIt represents what an agency intends to do in a community and provide an image to the funding agency.Assess the nature of the problem and develop solutions.What is a Grant?A sum of money given to an agency or individual to address a problem or need in the community.

Example: Friends of Jamaica USA provided:-Two grants to the University of the West Indies - Mona for three scholarships in 2001-2002 and four scholarships in 2003-2004-A grant to a rural farming cooperative for crop conversion, training and support of a school.

http://www.jamaicans.com/helpjamaica/nonprofitprofiles/friendsjamaica.shtml02-2003.Steps to Proposal DevelopmentUnderstand the problemBrainstorm solutionsIdentify solutionsDescribe expected results and benefitsDetermine tasks to accomplish solutionsEstimate resources neededReassess viability of solutionsIdentify measurement of outcomesElements of A Proposal Cover PageTitle PageExecutive SummaryStatement of Need/Needs AssessmentProject Description: Objectives ActivitiesEvaluation BudgetApplicant CapabilityFuture Funding PlansCommunity Support

Cover pagePROPOSAL COVER PAGE(For sponsors that do not specify a prescribed form or format. Funding agencies have prescribed formats in some cases.

SUBMITTED TO: ______________________APPLICANT: ____________________________________________________________________PROJECT TITLE: ___________________________PROJECT DIRECTOR/PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: _________________________________________________________FUNDS REQUESTED: $_________________PROJECT PERIOD: ______________________________

AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE:___________________________ _______Marsha Salabie (February 11, 2010)Contracts AdministratorTelephone: (123) 273-6437 Executive SummaryThis is design to provide the reader with a snapshot of what is to follow. It summarizes all the key information to convince the reader that this project should be considered for support.Executive SummaryThe executive summary should include:Problem A brief statement of the problem or need your agency has recognized and is prepared to address.Solution A short description of the project, including what will take place and how many people will benefit from the program, how and where it will operate, for how long, and who will staff it.

Executive SummaryFunding Requirements An explanation of the amount of grant money required for the project and what your plans are for funding it in the future.

Organization and its expertise A brief statement of the name, history, purpose, and activities of your agency and its capacity to carry out this proposal.

Statement of Need/ Needs Statement The most important part of the Proposal

The need statement has two purposes:To explain how your needs meet the funders interests and prioritiesTo establish the specific problem the proposal will address

Statement of Need/ Needs Statement Once you have stated your specific need you then need to prove that need

Proof of need can take a number of forms: 1. Numerical data (police records)

2. Comparison between the records for the current year with those for the previous years to show an increase in the problem

Statement of Need/ Needs StatementExample : Clients with A characteristics and background live in B conditions/ environments and have C problems that are caused by D. Clients are blocked from solving these problems because of E. This problem is related to the other problems F and have G short and long- term impact if not addressed. The impact of their needs and problems on the community is H. Others have addressed their needs/ problems by having I. The result of their interventions have been J. The most promising strategy for intervention now is K.

Project Description : ObjectivesThese are the intent of the project

They indicate what it will achieve and the time it will need to reach its goals.

Objectives should be concise, specific, measurable and related directly to the need.

Project Description : ObjectivesExample: If the need is to reduce drug use among students in the high school, the objective should indicate how much the project will reduce drug use in the school, in what time frame and how it will measure results .

Project Description : ActivitiesOutlines the project activities (commonly called the methodology section)Describes the specific activities that will take place to achieve the objectives.(Timeline)Explains how the project will reach its objectivesShould focus on those aspects of the project that will resolve or prevent the problems identified

EvaluationHighlights whether the project was of benefit.Measureable plans to determine project success.Evaluate results of the project and successes of the project.Explains the measurement procedures to determine if goals and objectives were met.BudgetThe project description provides the picture of your proposal in words. The budget further refines that picture with numbers.

The budget should reflect the costs of the items and the activities described in the project narrative

The relationship between the budget and the project description should be so tight that a reader can determine what the project is by simply reading the budget

BudgetThe Budget should include a description of the following:Personnel- List each staff title separately, explaining salaries based on the percentage of time each person is assigned to the projectTravel- Staff may have to travel for training or conferencesEquipment- Cost of equipment that will be used to carry out the project.Applicant Capability Demonstrate applicant past performance.Ability to accomplish proposed project.Describes Agency structure including Board of Directors, Staff and volunteers.

Future Funding Plans : SustainabilityPlans for continuation beyond funding periodEstablishes sustainability.Community SupportReflects the nature of support for the proposed project from:-Other service providers-Clients-Potential service recipients-Community leaders