WRITING A PROJECT PROPOSAL FALL 2014

START-UP WORK Identifying a project idea. Looking for a potential funder? Studying guidelines and application form. Establishing initial contact (organization’s mission and vision, strategy, structure) Creating partnerships (now or earlier)

THE FUNDER IS YOUR MR. OR MRS. RIGHT! Tell your Mr(s) Right that you are: -Winning -Upbeat -Ambitious -Can-do -Strong and getting stronger! You have made yourself very attractive to your Mr(s) Right! Happy honey moon!

CONTENTS KEY ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 1. Cover letter 2. Title page 3. Summary 4. Introduction of the problem or need assessment 5. Objectives 6. Budget 7. Sustainability Plan & Evaluation Plan

COVER LETTER First thing the funder reads (this is a introduction letter to who you are) Must engage the reader so (s)he reads the rest of the proposal Personal, to the point, concise Structure: project title, goals and objectives, total amount requested, duration of the project) This page must sell you or your organization

TITLE PAGE

SUMMARY A clear synopsis of the project Not more than a page Description of the organization (detailed)

INTRODUCTION What is the problem or need? Describe the problem in relation to your target group Place the problem in a larger context your organizations works in Use figures and concrete examples (case studies) Relate it to the funders guidelines and priorities

OBJECTIVES All objectives should be SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed. Specific - Be precise about what you are going to achieve. Measurable - Quantify your objectives. Achievable - Are you attempting too much? Realistic - Do you have the resource to make the objective happen (human resources, financial, the right context and opportunities)? Timed - State when you will achieve the objectives.

EXAMPLES OBJECTIVES Strategic objective: to promote the change of negative social attitude towards LGBT community and discriminatory governmental practices by means of awareness raising activities. Short-term objectives: Objective 1:to provide different governmental actors, the society and LGBT community with objective information about sexual orientation and gender identity Objective 2: to increase the level of tolerance of mass media towards sexual minorities and transgender persons Objective 3: to create networks / partnerships with professional groups working with sexual and gender minorities in order to improve their skills and qualifications

BUDGET Structure: 1. Human resources, purchases, operational costs, activities 2. Clear budget items (how did you come up with the amount you’ve indicated in the budget line) 3. Explanations to the budget in annex (why you need a particular amount, offers, etc.) Start with the requested amount Create categories that will constitute the budget Breakdown in each categories the indicative amount Total

SUSTANIBILITY & EVALUATION PLAN Sustainability is how are you going to maintain the program after the initial funding is gone. 2. Strategy to measure the success Explanation of the criteria used to measure the success.

TIME FRAME FOR PROPOSAL Sept. 10 th ---- DRAFT ONE DUE Sept. 17 TH DRAFT GIVEN BACK Sept. 24 TH ---FINAL PROPOSAL DUE