1. Elements of Successful Proposal Writing
A Model Built on Faith
Elements of Successful
Proposal Writing
Carmen Bogan, MBA
© the bogan group, llc

2. Proposals in Perspective: Diversifying Your Funding Base
Fees for Services
Planned Giving
Fund Raisers/Events
Individual Donors/Major Donor Campaigns
Corporate Funding (Proposals)
Foundation Funding (Proposals)
Other

3. Why do Foundations Give?
Foundations are required to pay a percentage of their assets out each year to charitable entities.
Your program helps foundations realize their mission.
Foundations Need Partners – to do the work!
Your proposal convinces them that
you are that partner.

4. Bottom Line… Funds Are available
Through written And verbal communications, convince the funder that you can make the desired impact
Your presentation on paper/ electronically and in person must be professional and convincing
“Nonprofit” doesn’t mean “Non- competitive”. Be competitive.

5. It’s About Competition
Think about it…
Someone
will get the money
Why not you?

6. It doesn’t start with a proposal. It starts with… A PROBLEM
Sooo, Where to start???
It doesn’t start with a proposal. It starts with… A PROBLEM

7. I IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEN A NEED
I IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEN A NEED... THEN A VISION, THEN A MISSION, THEN A STRATEGY, THEN A PROGRAM PLAN, THEN A PROPOSAL.

8. Proposal Process Overview – Pure and Simple
Step 4. Submit to Funder
Step 3. Write, a Clear, Concise Proposal based on Funder Guidelines
Step 2. Research Funders Thoroughly, to identify those that match your mission
Step 1. Develop an Impactful, Relevant Program Plan

9. Types of Proposals Funders May Request;
Letter of Intent or Letter of Inquiry
Letter Proposal
Long Proposal Format (Develop Master Proposal)
Online/Digital Form

10. Overview Proposal Components (Long Format)
1. Cover Letter
2. Executive Summary
3. Introduction
4. Agency Description and Qualifications (Archive?)
5. Need Statement – Evidence Based/Solid Data
6. Objectives/Ties to Evaluation
7. Program Description/Methods
8. Budget
9. Future Funding

11. Sample Master Proposal
Meals Consortium Social Services Referral Project Proposal to the XYZ Foundation

12. Writing Process Proposal Components (Long Format)
9. Cover Letter 8. Executive Summary 7. Introduction 6. Agency Description and Qualifications (Archive?) 1. Need Statement – Evidence Based/Solid Data 3. Objectives/Ties to Evaluation 2. Program Description/Methods 4. Budget 5. Future Funding

13. 1. Need Statement What specific problem exists?
What data/evidence/statistics do you have this is a problem? (Source?)
Because of this problem – What is the need?
Who has this need?

14. What is the need??
What are the community (geographic or other) benefits if the need is met?
What are the consequences of not addressing the problem/need?
Handout : The Need Statement

15. 2. Program Design/Methods
Unduplicated
Well-designed – logically flowing from Mission
Solid/Well managed
Realistic Goals – Smart Objectives
Strong Evaluation
Realistic Budgets
Well-documented

16. 2. Develop a “Clear” Program Plan
FUNDERS WANT
Programs that are Research Based – Stay on top of the research for your cause in your field
Matching Resources – Many nonprofits find that lack of match is a key impediment.
Other funders or diversified funding base.
Collaboration
Sustainability

17. 2. Methods What will be your approach to address this problem?
Handout 4: Methods
What will be your approach to address this problem?

18. 3. What is a Goal?
A Program Goal is a broad statement, not usually in measurable terms, which describes the end toward which all objectives are directed.
GOAL

19. 3. What is an Objective? GOAL An Objective is a “sub-goal.”
It defines a short- term, measurable step that is moving toward achieving a goal.
GOAL
objective

20. 3. What is an Objective? Stated in measurable terms
A program can several objectives.
Together, the objectives should work together to have the effect of achieving the overall program goal.
GOAL
objective

21. Objectives Must Be S.M.A.R.T.

22. Tip for Defining Program Objectives
Make a list of things that must be achieved to meet your program goal(s).
Rewrite each item in the form of a SMART Objective.
Review all of the Objectives and adjust them to achieve a balance between them.

23. You Try It
Goals and Objectives Exercise
Methods Exercise

24. 3.. Goals and Objectives What are your program goals and objectives?
Handout 3: Goals
What are your program goals and objectives?

25. Evaluation or “Well, Did You Do It?”
A Good Evaluation Will Include:
Whether the objectives were met and impact made
Feedback from the target group
Description of the data collection methods and analysis
Description of how reports will be reported
Describe how evaluation results will modify/ improve programs.

26. Budget Elements Must tie to program
Go back through the proposal and tie in relevant personnel and non-personnel expenses
Include new costs and ongoing expenses
A budget narrative may be needed to explain budget items. Don’t forget Evaluation!
Future funding – How Will You Keep the Music Playing?

27. Funding Research Research Funders Thoroughly
Understand the terminology
Define What you do using their terminology
Prepare List of Good Prospects – Bid/No Bid
Narrow list to Best Matches

28. Research Funders Thoroughly Taxonomy
By Subject
Population
Organization
Type Transaction
Support Strategy
Geography

29. Check It Out Taxonomy worksheet Sample Entry
Prospect Worksheet (Bid/No Bid)

30. And Finally… It’s Time to Write the Proposal: Clear, Concise and Compelling
Clear – Write clearly understandably, and with a logical flow problem to the solution.

31. Writing the Proposal: Clear, Concise and Compelling
Concise – Write as succinctly as possible. Readers usually have multiple proposals. Too much will get a skim. Too little may be tossed.

32. Writing the Proposal: Clear, Concise and Compelling
Make a strong case about the broad impact of your program or research. Funders want the best bang for their buck!

33. Write Remaining Proposal Components
Cover Letter – This is who I am and why I’m submitting this proposal
Executive Summary – Here’s a synopsis of what I’m about to tell you.
Introduction - The beginning of the story. Ties together problem, and agency description and qualifications.
Agency Description and Qualifications (Why are you the ONE TO DO IT?

34. Top Proposal Writing Traps
 Bad research. Program does not mirror grantor’s funding interests
 Did not follow grantor’s directions
 Summary doesn’t tell the story
 Outcomes not clear/Objectives not measurable
 Outcomes incorrectly stated
 Introduction does not establish organizational competencies, credibility, history that reflects a commitment to the work represented

35. Top Proposal Writing Traps
 Disconnected methodologies
 Evaluation not conclusive
 Inefficiencies. Does not leverage resources with collaborations and partnerships
 Unrealistic budgets. No budget narrative. No consideration of future funding.
 Unsubstantiated need statement
 Cold document.(Facts and figures. Does not tell your story with passion.
The Readers’Eye

36. Call contact person within 2 weeks Prepare for site visit, if required
Submit to Funder
Follow-up
Call contact person within 2 weeks
Prepare for site visit, if required
Keep funder informed of status of other $$$
Acknowledge grant promptly
Determine Proper recognition of the grant
Keep the relationship ALIVE!

37. Key Resources Foundation Center http://fdncenter.org//
Address: 312 Sutter St # 606, San Francisco, CA 94108
Hours: Opens 10AM
Phone: (415)
The Grantsmanship Center