Writing a Grant Proposal - Part II of III
Statement of Need Explain why this project/program is necessary. This section will help the reader understand what the issues at hand are. This is where you include your facts and evidence that support the need for your project. It also establishes that your organization has an understanding of the problem and can therefore reasonably address the issue. Be “to the point” yet as persuasive as possible. Gather your arguments and present them in a logical sequence that will best convince the reader. Points to consider:
- What are the best supporting facts and/or statistics?
- Why does your project offer hope?
- Do you want your project to be a model for other programs? If the answer is yes then explain how the problem is occurring in other communities and how your solution can be a solution for those communities as well.
- Is it reasonable to portray your need as acute?
- Is your problem worse than others or is your solution better than others?
- Does your proposal avoid circular reasoning?
Demonstrate that your solution addresses the need differently or better than other projects, while not seeming critical of other projects. Today's funders are very interested in collaboration, so explain how your work complements, but does not duplicate, the work of others.
Goals/Objectives
These are the outcomes of the program. They also define your methods. Goals are broad, general, intangible, conceptual, and abstract. Objectives are tangible, specific, concrete, measurable, and attainable within a specific period of time. It is by these goals and objectives that you will explain to the reader what will be achieved with your project.
Methods
Describe the specific activities that you will plan and execute in order to reach your objectives. Within your methods section, discuss how, when, and why. 'How' deals with describing, from start to finish, what will occur matching your methods with the previously stated objectives. ‘When’ discusses when to include a timetable so that the reader can easily see the project at a glance. This area should be written concisely and in order. 'Why' is about defending your chosen methods, especially if they are new and/or unorthodox. Explain why the planned work will lead to the outcomes you anticipate. The complete purpose of this section is to convince the funder that your agency knows what it is doing, thus establishing credibility.
Recent grants received by our clients include:
$25,000, $20,000, $15,000, and $10,000 for an agency dedicated to helping juvenile offenders reach their law abiding potential – for general operating expenses
$50,000 for an organization assisting Dallas County female ex-offenders that are re-entering society after incarceration in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system – for general operating expenses
$10,000 for a pediatric clinic for children from low-income families – for general operating expenses
$10,000 for a domestic violence organization – for services to children battered women
The topic of our next blog on Tuesday, September 20th, will be “Writing a Grant Proposal - Part III of III.”
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Murray Covens, Principal
murraycovens@northtexasnonprofitresources.org
North Texas Nonprofit Resources