Feature
Making Your Case in a Grant Proposal
by Beth Markley
I recently completed a grant proposal with the simplest instructions: "finish this sentence: If awarded, these funds will be used for..."
For the creative writer, this is an exciting opportunity. For the more pragmatic author, it can be daunting:
- What are the priorities of the organization?
- What do the individuals making the decisions consider the most important information?
Granting organizations vary widely in structure, objective, history, and people involved — which is why there is no standard grant application.
A grant writer, whether she is the person responsible for securing the funding, or is doing so in addition to creating, coordinating and implementing the program or project, would do well to start with outlining what fundraisers call a "case for support." A case outlines details of the program, including the problem it addresses, who will implement it and how, who it will serve and how, what resources it will draw upon and what the anticipated results will be. Having such information on hand in advance is not only helpful in applying for funding, it can also be useful for budgeting, staffing, planning, and marketing purposes.
A compelling case might include the following:
Statement of Purpose: What do you hope to accomplish through this program or project? What is the need you're hoping to address? Who else is addressing this problem and how is your program different or innovative? Outlining a clear statement of purpose before researching granting organizations will not only help you narrow your field of research, it will help you avoid any temptation to change the program or project to better meet the focus of the granting organization to which you are applying.
Like a journalist, think "who, what, where, when, why and how" when crafting your statement. Review carefully to remove unnecessary adjectives, jargon and clichés:
Studies show that children who run away are vulnerable because of exposure to crime, drug and alcohol use, predatory adults and prostitution. Runaway children who return home are more than 70% likely to run away again that year. Each time a child runs away, he becomes more vulnerable. Our program will reduce the likelihood that a child will run away again by providing an in-home training and counseling program to help parents communicate with their child, recognize signs of teen distress, and encourage his sense of accountability and responsibility.
Outcomes: When your program is complete, or at regular points along the way if the program is ongoing, show how you plan to measure success. It is not invalid to judge the merits of a program by how people feel about having participated in it, but measuring this result and reporting on it in a substantive way is important. Interviews or surveys of program participants might be one way to measure whether you've reached your goals based on how participants feel about having participated. How do parents of runaway children feel about their parenting skills before and after your training? Quantitative information is also helpful in this case: A year after implementing your program, did the participating families experience a lower percentage of recidivism than the statistics you originally cited?
Stories: Anecdotal information can be a powerful way to illustrate the problem you're trying to address. Rather than telling someone that runaway children face mortal danger, and that programs like the one you're proposing save lives, show them through the inclusion of a short story. If the body of the proposal doesn't allow enough space, include such a story in a cover letter.
Resources: Outline your budget and all sources of anticipated income. Will you be returning for more funds later, do you anticipate this project will become self-sustaining over time, or is this a one-time only project? Who is your organization depending on to implement this project and what are his/her qualifications? Outline any other sources of funding or collaborative partnerships with other organizations that have been secured, or that you are currently in the process of securing.
Organizational Mission and History: Why was your organization founded and how long ago? What is its track record in the community? Why is your organization the appropriate one to implement this program? What kind of success has it had with similar efforts in the past? Who are the leaders of your organization?
Reporting: Whether the project or program is ultimately successful, don't overlook the obligation to report. Make plans for a report back to the granting organizations after the program is done. If you are not the person who will create and submit this report, make sure this task is assigned. The report should note any changes to your project and any challenges that were not anticipated. Include a comparison of the original to the actual outcomes and explain any major differences. Timely reporting is essential to the organization's credibility and the goodwill of the granting organization, and may determine the likelihood of future grant funding.
Whatever the requirements of the granting organizations to which you are applying, you can simplify the process of developing grant researching and writing by developing your case for support in advance.
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is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and president of Markley Communication Services, LLC, a nonprofit consulting firm. She is the immediate past president of the Association of Fundraising Executives Idaho Chapter.