This report offers suggestions for finding appropriate sources of Federal and private project funding. It describes major components of the written grant proposal and gives basic guidelines for developing, organizing, and writing the proposal.
Congressional offices are frequently asked for guidance by
constituents planning projects of benefit to their community.
With Federal funding cutbacks and competition for grants becoming
more intense, proposals need to be especially carefully thought
through to increase the likelihood of their getting funded.
Sufficient time should be allowed for all stages of proposal
development.
There are great differences in application and award procedures
among grant making organizations. Federal agencies and large
foundations may have formal application packets, strict
guidelines, and fixed deadlines with which applicants must
comply, while smaller foundations may operate more informally and
provide a greater measure of assistance to inexperienced grant
seekers. Nonetheless, all of those seeking grants need to go
through certain steps in the grants process.
While money is the primary concern of most grant seekers, thought
should be given to the kinds of nonmonetary contributions that
may be available. In many instances, academic institutions,
corporations, and other nonprofit groups in the community may be
willing to contribute technical and professional assistance,
equipment, or space to a worthy project. Not only will such
contributions reduce the amount of money being sought, but
evidence of such local support will be viewed favorably by most
grant making organizations.
DEVELOPING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
The first step in proposal planning is the development of a
clear, concise description of the proposed project. In preparing
this description, it is helpful to consider the project from the
viewpoint of a potential funding source. The kinds of questions
that program officers usually ask are:
SEARCHING FOR FUNDING SOURCES
Once the project has been specifically defined, the grant seeker
needs to research appropriate funding sources. It is not
productive to send out proposals indiscriminately in the hope of
attracting funding. Grant making organizations whose interests
and intentions are consistent with those of the applicant are the
most likely to provide support.
Many projects, in fact, can only be accomplished with funds
coming from a combination of sources, among them Federal, State
or local programs or grants from private or corporate
foundations. In general, descriptions of government programs are
published, along with application, award, and review
requirements. Foundations usually do not make such
announcements; they must be approached by those seeking grants.
Where to Look for Potential Funding Sources
Federal Funding
Detailed information about existing Federal programs can be found
in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance and the
Federal Register, available in many large libraries as well
as in all Government depository libraries and over the world wide web.
It should be pointed out that many Federal grants do not go directly to the final
beneficiary, but are awarded to State or local agencies which, in
turn, distribute the funds.
Foundation Funding
Detailed information about foundation funding can be found in Foundation Center Cooperating Collections located around the country. [For more information about the Michigan State University Library Foundation Collection and information about where other Foundation Center Collections are located both in Michigan and around the country, consult
http://www.lib.msu.edu/harris23/grants/0fdncoll.htm.]
These libraries are excellent starting places for researching potential funding sources.
Here you can find the Foundation Directory and other research tools published by the Foundation Center, including a new CD-ROM product called FC Search, as well as the local state foundation directory and other tools.
Doing Research on Likely Funding Sources
Once the names o potential funding sources have been identified, the grant seeker will want to know more about them. What kinds of projects have they funded in the past? Who have been the grant recipients?
Program listings in the Catalog of Federal Assistance will
sometimes include examples of Federally funded programs and leads
to related programs. Also listed are names, addresses, and
telephone numbers of program officers. The Appendix to the
Catalog lists regional and local agency offices. Applicants
may obtain literature and procedural suggestions by calling or visiting the agency office closest to them.
There are many types of foundations: national, family, community,
corporate, etc. As a general rule, it is a good idea not to
start searching with large national foundations, but to start
with funding sources close to home, which are frequently most
concerned with solving local problems. Corporations, for
example, tend to support projects in areas where they have
offices or plants. It should be pointed out that most
foundations only provide grants to nonprofit organizations.
Individuals seeking grants will generally have to find a tax-exempt organization to sponsor their projects.
There are publications which give brief descriptions of awards which have been granted in the past year. Among them are
the Annual Register of Grant Support and the Foundation Grants Index.
Extensive information about foundation and corporate giving can
most often be found in annual reports. Some of these annual
reports may be consulted in the collections of local Foundation
Center cooperating libraries. In other cases, copies can be
obtained directly. A study of these annual reports will give a
good picture of funding philosophies and the types of support
offered--for example, whether grants are for short-term, one-time-only projects or for long-term, continuing projects.
At this point, grant seekers sometimes may wish to consult
recipients of earlier grants for a more in-depth picture of the
agency or foundation they are considering approaching.
PREPARATION FOR WRITING THE PROPOSAL
The grantseeker, having narrowed the field of potential funders,
will want to approach the most likely prospects to confirm that
they would indeed to be interested in the project. Many Federal
agencies and foundations are willing to provide an assessment of
a preliminary one-or-two-page concept paper before a formal
proposal is prepared. The concept paper should give a brief
description of the needs to be addressed, who is to carry out the
project, what is to be accomplished, by what means, how long it
will take, how the accomplishments will be measured, plans for
the future, how much it will cost, and the ways this proposal
relates to the mission of the funding source.
Developing the concept paper is excellent preparation for writing
the final proposal. Again, as in developing the initial
description of the project, the grantseeker should try to see it
from the viewpoint of the grantmaking organization. Like the
proposal, the concept paper should be brief, clear, and
interesting. It is important to understand that from the
funderūs vantage point, the grant is not seen as the end of the
process, but only as the midpoint. The funder will want to know
what will happen to the project once the grant ends. For
example, will it be self-supporting or will it be used as a
demonstration to apply for further funding?
It is a good idea to have the concept paper critically reviewed
both by specialists in the field and by those unfamiliar with the
project to insure that it is free of assumptions and jargon.
If the funding source expresses interest in the concept paper,
this is the time to ask for suggestions, criticism, and guidance,
before writing the final proposal.
OVERALL CONSIDERATONS
An effective grant proposal has to make a compelling case. Not
only must the idea be a good one, but so must the presentation.
Here is a checklist of things to be considered:
PARTS OF THE PROPOSAL
Cover Letter
The cover letter should be written on the applicant's letterhead,
and should be signed by the organization's highest official. It
should be addressed to the individual at the funding source with
whom the organization has dealt, and should refer to earlier
discussions. While giving a brief outline of the needs addressed
in the proposal, the cover letter should demonstrate a
familiarity with the mission of the grantmaking organization and
emphasize the ways in which this project contributes to these
goals.
Summary or Abstract
Although the summary is placed as the first item in the proposal, it should not be written until the rest of the proposal
has been developed. The summary should include a description of the applicant, a definition of the problem to be
solved, a statement of the objectives to be achieved, an outline of the activities and procedures to be used to
accomplish those objectives, a description of the evaluation design, plans for the project at the end of the grant, and
a statement of what it will cost the funding agency.
Introduction
In the introduction, applicants describe their organization and demonstrate that they are qualified to carry out the
proposed project. This section should give a brief history of the organization, its mission, and its significant
accomplishments. It should tell about the qualifications of its professional staff and list its board of directors.
Reference should be made to grants, endorsements, and press coverage the organiztion has already received. (Supporting documents can be included in the Appendix.) Applicants should indicate whether funds for other parts of the project are
being sought elsewhere. Such evidence will, in fact, strengthen the proposal, demonstrating to the reviewing officer
that all avenues of support have been thoroughly explored.
It is in the introduction that applicants make the point that they are a good investment. Statements made here should be
carefully tailored to the funding source, pointing out that the overall goals and purposes of the applicant are consistent with those of the funding source.
Problem Statement or Needs Assessment
This section lays out the reason for the proposal. It should provide well-documented evidence of a specific problem,
explained from the beneficiaries' viewpoint. One of the pitfalls to be avoided is defining the problem as a lack of
program or facility, i.e., giving one of the possible solutions to a problem as the problem itself. For example, the lack
of a medical center in an economically depressed area is not the problem -- the problem is that poor people in the area have health needs that are not currently being addressed. The problem described should be of reasonable dimensions,
with the targeted population and geographic area clearly defined. It should include a retrospective view of the situation,
describing past efforts to ameliorate it, and projections for the future. The problem statement, developed with input
from the beneficiaries, must be supported by statistics and statements from authorities in the field. The case must be
made that the applicant, because of its history, demonstrable skills, and past accomplishments is the right organization
to solve the problem.
Objectives
Once the needs have been described, proposed solutions have to be
set forth, wherever possible in numerical terms. The population
to be served, time frame of the project, and specific outcomes
must be defined. These measurable objectives form the basis for
judging the effectiveness of the program. It is important not to
confuse objectives with methods toward those ends. For example,
the objective should not be stated as "building a prenatal clinic
in Adams County," but as "reducing the infant mortality rate in
Adams County to X per cent by a specific date."
Methods or Procedures
Just as the statement of objectives builds on the problem
statement, the description of methods or procedures builds on the
statement of objectives. For each objective, a specific plan of
action should be laid out. It should delineate a sequence of
justifiable activities, indicating the proposed staffing and
timetable for each task. This section should be carefully
reviewed to make sure that what is being proposed is realistic in
terms of the applicantūs resources and time frame.
Evaluation
An evaluation plan should be a consideration at every stage of
the proposal's development. Data collected for the problem
statement form a comparative basis for determining whether
measurable objectives are indeed being met and whether proposed
methods are accomplishing these ends, or whether different parts
of the plan need to be fine-tuned to be made more effective.
Among the considerations will be whether evaluation will be done
by the organization itself or by outside experts. The
organization will have to decide whether outside experts have the
standing in the field and the degree of objectivity that would
justify the added expense, or whether the job could be done with
sufficient expertise by its own staff, without taking too much
time away from the project itself.
Methods of measurement, whether standardized tests, interviews,
questionnaires, observation, etc., will depend upon the nature
and scope of the project. Procedures and schedules for
gathering, analyzing, and reporting data will need to be spelled
out.
Future Funding
The last narrative part of the proposal explains what will happen
to the program once this grant ends. It should describe any
prior commitments of support for a successful demonstration
project. It should outline all other contemplated fund-raising
efforts and future plans for applying for additional grants.
Projections for operating and maintaining facilities and
equipment should also be given.
This is the place to indicate whether any income will be
generated by the project, either in the form of service-based
fees or salable products.
Budget
While the degree of specificity of any budget will vary depending
upon a nature of the project and the requirements of the funding
source, a complete, well thought out budget serves to reinforce
the applicant's credibility, and to increase the likelihood of
the proposal's being funded. The estimated expenses in the
budget should build upon the justifications given in the
narrative section of the proposal. A well prepared budget should
be reasonable and demonstrate that the funds being asked for will
be used wisely.
The budget should be as concrete and specific as possible in its
estimates. Every effort should be made to be realistic, to
estimate costs accurately, and not to underestimate staff
time.
The budget format should be as clear as possible. It should
begin with a Budget Summary, which, like the Proposal Summary, is
only written after the entire budget has been prepared. Each
section of the budget should be in outline form, listing line
items under major headings and subdivisions. Each of the major
components should be subtotaled with a grand total placed at the
end. If the funding source provides forms, most of these
elements can simply be filled into the appropriate spaces.
Generally, budgets are divided into two categories: Personnel
costs and non-personal costs. The personnel section usually
includes a breakdown of salaries (including increases in multi
year projects), such fringe benefits as health insurance and
Social Security, and consultant and contract services. The items
in the non-personnel section will vary widely, but may include:
space costs, utilities, purchase or rental of equipment, training
to use new equipment, photocopying, office supplies, postage,
insurance, travel, etc.
For each item there should be two columns, headed "Requested" and
"Donated." The "Requested" column lists those amounts which the
funding source is being asked to provide. The "Donated" column
represents amounts coming from elsewhere, anticipated earned
income, and services or equipment which are being contribute to
the project.
Before the budget is put into final form, it should be reviewed
for cost effectiveness. It may be necessary to go back to the
narrative to explain any seemingly high costs.
Appendix
Lengthy documents which are referred to in the narrative are best
added to the proposal in the Appendix. Examples include letters
of endorsement, partial list of previous funders, key staff
resumes, annual reports, statistical data, maps, pictorial
material, and newspaper and magazine articles about the
organization. Nonprofit organizations should include an IRS
501(c)(3) Letter of Tax Exempt Status.
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Foundation Center's User-Friendly Guide: Grantseeker's Guide to Resources.
New York, Foundation Center. 40p.
Gilpatrick, Eleanor G. Grants For Nonprofit Organizations: a Guide to Funding and Grantwriting.
New York, Praeger, 1989, 202p.
Gooch, Judith Mirick. Writing Winning Proposals.
Washington, D.C., Council for Advancement and Support of Education, 1987. 87p.
Grant Proposals That Succeeded, ed. By Virginia White.
New York, Plenum Press, c1983. 240p.
Hall, Mary S. Getting Funded: a Complete Guide to Proposal Writing. 3rd ed.
Portland, OR., Continuing Education Publications, Portland State University, c1988. 206p.
Kiritz, Norton J. Program Planning and Proposal Writing.
Expanded version. Los Angeles, Grantsmanship Center, c1980.
47p.
Margolin, Judith B. Individual's Guide to Grants.
New York, Plenum Press, c1983. 295p.
Proposal Writer's Swipe File: 15 Winning Fund-Raising Proposals-Prototypes of Approaches, Styles, and Structures. 3rd ed.
Washington, D.C., Taft Corp., c1984. 162p.
Two national organizations which offer courses on proposal
development throughout the country are:
The Fund Raising School
The Grantsmanship Center
Many other courses are offered at the local level. Information
on such courses can be obtained by visiting a Foundation Center
cooperating library.
Phone: 1-800-500-1554 and 1-517-355-2345. 100 Library, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA.
Email us: comments@mail.lib.msu.edu © 2006 Michigan State University Board of Trustees.
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At various stages in the proposal writing process, the proposal
should be reviewed by a number of interested and disinterested
parties. Each time it has been critiqued, it may be necessary to
rethink the project and its presentation. While such revision is
necessary to clarify the proposal, one of the dangers is that the
original excitement of those making the proposal sometimes gets
written out. Somehow, this must be conveyed in the final proposal. Make it interesting!
P.O. Box 269
San Rafael, CA 94915
415-457-3520
1-800-962-6692
650 S. Spring St., Suite 507
P.O. Box 6210
Los Angeles, CA 90014
213-689-9222
1-800-421-95122