How to Write a Grant Proposal

CHERYL CARTER NEW and JAMES AARON QUICK are the sole owners and directors of Polaris Corporation. Polaris teaches grantsmanship to nonprofit organizations (The United Way National Training Center, the Non-Profit Center, and the Kellogg Foundation), primary and secondary schools, and for-profit and nonprofit healthcare facilities using three primary mediums: workshops, consulting services, and resource publishing. They lead over 100 workshops that have taught more than 4,000 people per year how to develop and plan projects, research funders, and write grants.

• Introduction. Chapter 1: Cover Letter.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Detailed Discussion.Putting It All Together.Authorship.Checklist—Cover Letter.Last Words.Examples of Cover Letters for Four Projects.Chapter 2: Table of Contents.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Psychology and Organization.Examples.Checklist—Table of Contents.Last Words.Examples of Tables of Contents for Four Projects.Chapter 3: Executive Summary.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Project Title.Contact Person.Proposal Submitted By.Mission Statement.Summary of Problem Statement and Project Synopsis.Expected Results.Funding Request.Your Investment.Checklist—Executive Summary.Last Words.Examples of Executive Summaries of Four Projects.Chapter 4: Project Summary.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Use Goals to Describe the Project.Examples.Checklist—Project Summary.Last Words.Examples of Project Summaries for Four Projects.Chapter 5: Problem Statement.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Describe the Problem.The Problem Is the Basis for Your Project.The Problem Is Your Connection with the Funder.Lack of Something Is Not a Problem.Include These Elements in the Problem Statement.Logical Narrative Description of the Problem.Statistical Backups and Comparisons.Results of Local Needs Assessments.Historical Data—How Did This Occur?Statement of Impact of Problem.Checklist—Problem Statement.Last Words.Examples of Problem Statements for Four Projects.Chapter 6: Mission, Goals, and Objectives.At a Glance.What Else Are They Called?When Are They Used?Why Are They Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.A Goal by Any Other Name.Graphical Representation of the Mission, Goal, and Objective Progression.Mission.Goal.Objective.Checklist—Goals and Objectives.Last Words.Examples of Mission, Goals, and Objectives for Four Projects.Chapter 7: Project Description.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Goals and Objectives Can Be Used for Guidance.Cover All Major Project Events in Logical Order.Cover All Hot Buttons.Meet Any Special Considerations Listed.Special Budget Requests.Be Clear on Technical Issues.Checklist—Project Description.Last Words.Examples of Project Descriptions for Four Projects.Chapter 8 Project Management Plan.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Organization Chart.Discuss the Responsibilities of Key Personnel.Discuss Loaned or Volunteer Staff.Provide an Overview of Fiscal Management.Evaluation.Documentation.Checklist—Management Plan.Last Words.Examples of Management Plan for Four Projects.Chapter 9: Documentation Plan.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Project Planning.Project Set-up.Implementation.Results or Outcomes.Planning What to Share.Checklist—Documentation Plan.Last Words.Examples of Documentation Plan for Four Projects.Chapter 10: Evaluation Plan.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Assistance for Development of an Evaluation Plan.Connect to Goals and Objectives.About Measurability.Communication with the Funder.The Role of Documentation.Internal Evaluation Team.External Evaluation Team.Checklist—Evaluation Plan.Last Words.Examples of Evaluation Plans for Four Projects.Chapter 11: Dissemination Plan.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Local Dissemination.State Dissemination.National Dissemination.Consider Fees.Products To Be Sold.Checklist—Dissemination Plan.Last Words.Examples of Dissemination Plans for Four Projects.Chapter 12: Continuation Plan.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Why Do Funders Want to Know about Continuation?What Are the Keys to Continuation?How Do You Prove You Will Continue a Project?What Is Evidence of Continuation?Checklist—Continuation Plan.Last Words.Examples of Continuation Plans for Four Projects.Chapter 13: Key Personnel Biographies.At a Glance.What Else Are They Called?When Are They Used?Why Are They Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Who Are Key Persons?Do Not Wait until the Last Minute.Interview.Name, Rank, and Serial Number.Specialties.Summary.Experience.Professional Activities.Education.Job Description.Checklist—Key Personnel Bios.Last Words.Examples of Key Personnel Bios for Four Projects.Chapter 14: Timelines.At a Glance.What Else Are They Called?When Are They Used?Why Are They Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Goals and Major Objectives.Milestones or Special Events.Major Reports and Evaluations.Important Deadlines.Special Requirements of Funder.Examples.Checklist—Timeline.Last Words.Examples of Timelines for Four Projects.Chapter 15: Budget Summary.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Budget Assistance.Introduction.In-Kind.Direct Costs.Indirect Costs.Overhead.Items Included in Budgets.Formatting the Budget.Checklist—Budget Summary.Last Words.Examples of Budgets for Four Projects.Chapter 16: Budget Justification.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Personnel.Fringe Benefits.Travel.Contractual Services.Construction or Renovation.Materials.Supplies.Equipment.Indirect Costs.Checklist—Budget Justification.Last Words.Examples of Budget Justification for Four Projects.Chapter 17: Appendix.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Items to Include.Biographical Sketches of Key Personnel.Organization Chart.Timeline.Letters of Support.Survey, Test, and Questionnaire Results.Equipment Descriptions.Lists of Advisors and Board Members.Checklist—Appendix.Last Words.Examples of Appendices for Four Projects.Chapter 18: Bibliography.At a Glance.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Include Only Recent or Landmark References.Do Not Include References Not Used in Your Proposal.Include a Bibliography, Even if You Have Footnotes.Quote Studies from the Potential Funder.Examples of Bibliographical Formats.Checklist—Bibliography.Last Words.Examples of Bibliographies for Four Projects.Chapter 19: Introduction and Forms.At a Glance—Introduction.What Else Is It Called?When Is It Used?Why Is It Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.Follow the Funder’s Directions for Content.Describe Your Organization.Provide a Brief Summary of the Problem You Are Addressing.At a Glance—Forms.What Else Are They Called?When Are They Used?Why Are They Used?Key Concepts.Formatting Issues.If Forms Are Required, Complete Each and Every One.Use the Forms You Are Given.Put Forms in the Proposal in Exactly the Order in Which You Are Directed.Complete Each Form Neatly and Legibly (You May Need to Use a Typewriter).Checklist—Introduction and Forms.Last Words.Index.