Carol BrodieResearch & Graduate Studies

209-946-7367cbrodie@pacific.edu

Common Proposal Components Order: finished, writing

Rationale for Funding Anticipated Results Plan of Action Evaluation Introduction to the Applicant

Cover letter Summary (Abstract) Introduction Applicant Rationale for Funding Anticipated Results Proposed Plan of

Action Evaluation Methods Leveraging Resources Sustainability Budget & Narrative

Appendices◦ IRS Letter 501(c)(3)◦ List of board

members◦ Audited financials◦ Institutional Budget◦ Letters of Support◦ Quotes for

equipment◦ CVs/Resumes

Rationale for FundingAnticipated ResultsPlan of ActionEvaluation

Budget

Introduction to Applicant

Leveraging ResourcesSustainability

SummaryCover Letter

12

3 4

Problem Statement and/or Statement of Need (Making the case)

*Use a common frame of reference, mutual area of interest

*Describe an existing condition or situation that needs change, and the effects on people

*Be careful in describing people that you will serve

*Brief case studies may be helpful

Cautions: *Don’t overstate the problem

*Be descriptive, not prescriptive

*Don’t concentrate on the actual lack of something, concentrate on the consequences

*Avoid negative statements

*Remember “so what?”

*Avoid circular reasoning

Presentation of the absence of your solution as the problem. Then your solution is offered as the way to solve the problem.

For example, "The problem is that we have no senior center in our community. Building a senior center will solve the problem.“

Better:Seniors in our community suffer from a number of problems, including lack of activity, loneliness and depression. The senior center that we propose would provide them with friendship, physical activity, and a sense of purpose.

Be descriptive

Use statistics that are clear and that support your argument.

Use case studies and stories

Quote authorities on your topic. Include names and the sources so the information can be verified.

If you collect data from the Internet, be sure the websites you reference are reputable and the links are current.

Standards for Success

*Describe the change you want to make or what you want to discover/explore

*Quantifiable, measurable (basis for your evaluation section)

*Reasonable

*Time referenced – long and/or short term?

Describe the tasks that will be accomplished with the resources.

Helpful to include a timeline.

Describe in detail the activities that will take place in order to achieve desired results. ◦ Make sure your methods are realistic. ◦ Describe WHY you have chosen these activities. ◦ Justify them over all other approaches you could have

taken.

List the tasks that will have to be completed to meet the goals of the project.

Break these into smaller tasks and lay them out in a schedule over the grant time period.

Provides a chance to consider what personnel, materials, and other resources will be needed

*Connect to Results sectione.g., Proposed Result #1

Activity #1A Activity #2A

Proposed Result #2 Activity #3A Activity #4A

etc….

*Connects to Budget section

Job descriptions and resumes Appendices

Time dedicated to project Salaries will be in budget

Demonstrate ability to conduct activites/relate to target population, and their qualifications

Intentional, planned data gathering during implementation of the grant, followed by analysis & conclusions

Program management

Public relations

Communication with funders

Makes case for continued funding

Formative

Summative

INTERNAL Familiar with organization Knows decision-making

style of organization Present to remind others of

results now, and in future May be able to

communicate results more frequently and clearly

Formatives more often conducted by internal evaluators

EXTERNAL Can bring greater

credibility, perceived objectivity

Typically bring more breadth and depth of expertise

Have knowledge of how other similar organizations and programs work

Best for summative evaluations

Surveys Pre-post tests Videos Journals Observations Testimonials Interviews Participant Journals Antecdotes

Sponsored Programs can provide boilerplates with Pacific information

Institutional Research website

Distinguish your organization – quality – credibility◦ What is your organization? What is its mission?◦ When/where/why did it start?◦ Who?

staff, collaborators, funders, customers

*How successful are you?

Community Support/Endorsement

Documented success

Willingness to work with other orgs

Fiscal Soundness◦ Audited financial statements

Leveraging Resources

Sustainability

Budget & Narrative

Summary

Cover Letter