Writing An Effective Grant Proposal

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Writing An Effective Grant Proposal

• Dr. Beverly B. Zimmerman
• Brigham Young University

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Goals For The Workshop

• Learn an effective proposal writing process
• Discuss strategies for writing an effective
  proposal
• Explain pitfalls to avoid to keep your proposal
  from being rejected

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Consider The Rhetorical Situation
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Consider The Rhetorical Situation

• Writers Purpose
• Explain a problem that requires change
• Demonstrate a need for funding
• Show that your project will solve the problem
• Readers Purpose
• Determine if your project matches the goals of
  the funding agency
• Decide if your project is worthwhile and unique
• Conclude that you are competent

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Consider the Rhetorical Situation

• Text (Proposal)
• Will be read quickly
• Look professional and free of errors
• Meet specific requirements
• Follow a standard format
• Answer readers questions
• Persuade the reader that youre competent

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Proposal Writing Process

• Plan your projects, determine your funding needs,
  and locate a funding source that matches
• Implement a focused grant proposal
• Evaluate your grant proposal and respond to
  evaluation by others

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A Circular Process PIE
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Plan Your Projects

• Establish your agencys identity
• Outline your projects and funding requirements
• Identify funding sources
• Analyze the goals of the granting agency
• Analyze the RFP for the grant
• Locate successful models of funding

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Establish Your Agencys Identity

• Begin with your central identity or core values
• List 2 or 3 key services that you provide
• Outline your clientele
• Determine what is unique about your organization

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Outline Your Projects and Funding Requirements

• What is unique about these projects?
• Who will benefit?
• Where and when will the projects take place?
• How much will the projects cost?
• Why is there a need to fund these projects?

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Identify Funding Sources

• Government sources
• Private foundations
• Corporations
• Special interest groups
• Internet sources

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Analyze The Goals Of The Granting Agency

• What are the goals of the granting agency?
• What is their strategic plan?
• Why was the fund set up?
• What do they want to fund?
• How is the funding calculated?
• What other obligations are involved?
• What are the requirements of the RFP?

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Analyze The Goals Of The Granting Agency

• What does the agency want to fund
• Any special target group?
• Any special functions?
• Any special way of operating?
• Any particular priorities at a given time?

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Analyze the RFP (Request for Proposals)

• How it the funding calculated?
• Maximum/minimum grant per project?
• What is and isnt funded?
• Does the applicant pay a percentage of the
  costs?
• When is the grant paid?

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Analyze the RFP (Request for Proposals)

• What other obligations are involved?
• What is the timeline for completion?
• What kinds of reports are required?
• Are there any deliverables required?

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Analyze the RFP (Request for Proposals)

• What parts of the proposal are required?
• What will be the evaluation criteria?
• Are there successful models you can follow?
• Who will read the proposal?

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Locate Successful Models Of Funding

• What is unique about the projects?
• How do the goals in the proposal and the goals of
  the funding agency match?
• What did you like about the proposal?
• At what point were you convinced that this was a
  proposal worth funding? Why?

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Implement A Successful Proposal

• Identify the current situation requiring change
• Specify your plan to improve the situation
• Outline your qualifications to do the work
• Itemize costs and benefits of your plan

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Select Components Of The Proposal

• Outline components required by the RFP
• Describe details of your project
• Create a budget
• Obtain approvals and permissions
• Submit your proposal on time

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Strategies For Writing Your Proposal

• Content
• Organization
• Style
• Design

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Content

• Be focused and specific
• Show how your project is related to the grant
  givers goals
• Provide details, including the budget
• Include everything required by the RFP

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Organization

• Provide an executive summary
• Follow the guidelines of the RFP
• Use headings, overviews, and summaries

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Style

• Define terms
• Be succinct
• Allow time for revision
• Get feedback from other people

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Design

• Use page numbers, headers, and footers
• Include photos and diagrams
• Make sure the proposal looks professional
• Assume a skim/scan reading

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Respond to Evaluations

• Revise your proposal for content
• Analyze the organization of your pro
• Edit

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Pitfalls To Avoid In Writing The Proposal

• Being too ambitious in your projects
• Using generalities
• Assuming a linear reading
• Assuming readers know your capabilities
• Hiding costs
• Sending the proposal in at the last minute
• Failing to revise and resubmit the proposal

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Act on the Evaluations

• Complete the project and seek renewal
• Or
• Request reviews, revise, and resubmit