1. YMCA Proposal Writing Successful Strategies for Financial Development

2. Standard Proposal Format 1) Executive Summary 2) Background 3) Goal and Objectives 4) Project Description 5) Management Plan 6) Monitoring and Evaluation 7) Budget ► Some Donors First Request Concept Papers ► Proposal Formats Vary ► Many Proposals Have Page Limits

3. Executive Summary ► 1 Page Overview ► State Goal and Objectives ► Describe YMCA Experience ► Explain Program Concept ► State Budget Request & YMCA Contribution

4. Background ► Describe situation of target location ► State critical youth development problems addressed by the YMCA ► Explain role of YMCA in the community ► Propose program solutions

5. Proposal Guidelines Goals Goal: Describe broad, long-term impact. Example: “To improve youth access to vital YMCA educational, health and recreation al services in Leon.”

6. Proposal Guidelines Objectives Develop “SMART” Objectives ► Specific ► Measurable ► Achievable ► Relevant ► Time Framed Example: “ To build a child care center at the Leon YMCA that provides pre-school education and after-school education and recreation programs to 5,000 youth annually by May 2008.”

7. Project Description ► Describe YMCA program interventions in detail ► Explain how project will integrate other YMCA programs ► Review YMCA program delivery methodology (such as peer education) ► Explain how program interventions will make an impact

8. Management Plan Capacity ► Explains YMCA Structure and History ► Describes YMCA Impact on Youth ► Provides Statistics On YMCA Beneficiaries ► Identifies Key YMCA Leaders and Experience ► Clarifies Roles and Responsibilities of Program Staff and Volunteers ► Describes Collaboration with Local Partners

9. Monitoring and Evaluation ► Explain How YMCA Will Measure Impact Through Indicators or Logical Framework ► Explain YMCA Staff Monitoring ► Propose Report Writing Time Frame ► Describe YMCA Plan and Time Frame to Evaluate Program

10. Typical Budget Items ► Salaries ► Equipment ► Administration ► Travel ► Training ► Infrastructure ► Evaluation ► Indirect Costs

11. Market YMCA Strengths ► Ability to influence parents, schools, religious organizations and local government. ► Global YMCA learning opportunities ► Promotes Youth Leadership ► Grassroots and national advocacy potential ► Ability to mobilize matching resources

12. Market YMCA Strengths ► Large youth and geographic outreach ► YMCA is comprised of leaders from civil society ► Existing infrastructure and programs in place ► Links to other YMCA youth programs