1. WRITING NEEDS STATEMENT ©2009 William Holmes Grantsmanship and Fundraising College of Public and Community Service University of Massachusetts at Boston 1

2. NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:1 Definition of need Example of need Extent of need Seriousness of need Relevant Contributing Factors 2

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 audience 9

10. NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 4 14. Cite major authors 15. Cite panel authors 16. Cite organization reports 17. Have complete references 10

11. 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

12. GRANT TIPS: 2 12 Be confident Be clear Detail budget Provide products Pay attention to grant guidelines Look professional, but not expensive

13. 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