WRITING NEEDS STATEMENT

©2009 William Holmes

Grantsmanship and Fundraising

College of Public and Community Service

University of Massachusetts at Boston

1

NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:1

• Definition of need

• Example of need

• Extent of need

• Seriousness of need

• Relevant Contributing Factors

2

NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:2

• Effects of not meeting need

• Current benefits of meeting need

• Effects of meeting additional need

• Gaps in current Services

• Opportunities in current service

3

NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:3

• Basis in:o research, o promising approaches, o best practices, and o meta-analysis

• Rejection of alternative strategies• Argument that condition will worsen• Discussing costs of intervention

versus costs of non-intervention—human and dollar costs

4

NEED STATEMENT AIMS: 1

• Demonstrate knowledge of literature on problem without being pedantic

• Demonstrate knowledge of interventions

• Demonstrate awareness of barriers and plans for addressing

5

NEED STATEMENT AIMS: 2

• Demonstrate you problem is the same as that targeted by funder

• Demonstrate your approach is the best possible

• Demonstrate your approach has implications for others

6

NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 1

1. Summarize similar data or literature

2. Clarify extent, incidence, prevalence, and severity

3. Note significant subpopulations

4. Compare locale to other towns, counties, states, or nation—especially if worse than previously funded target site

7

NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 2

5. Note what makes your problem unique

6. Note what makes your approach unique

7. Note gaps in existing research or programs

8. Note important changes over time

8

NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 3

9. Do not exaggerate or make extreme statements

10.Avoid circular reasoning

11.Use consistent style

12.Check for typos and formatting errors

13.Write for audience9

NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 4

14. Cite major authors

15. Cite panel authors

16. Cite organization reports

17. Have complete references

10

GRANT TIPS: 1

11

• Have a plan

• Believe they want to give you money

• Play to organization’s strengths

• Show how this fits with organization’s future

• Be positive

• Reuse good material

GRANT TIPS: 2

12

• Be confident

• Be clear

• Detail budget

• Provide products

• Pay attention to grant guidelines

• Look professional, but not expensive

GRANT TIPS: 3

13

• Follow instructions exactly

• Connect budget with program activity

• Pay attention to scoring weights

• Have one voice for proposal

• Proofread proposal

• Write abstract last and tie to goals