1. Grant Proposal Writing
Friday, December 1, 2006

2. Agenda Introductions Internal Assessment & Research Writing Style
Inquiry Letter
Components of a Grant Proposal
Organization & Presentation
Kennedy School Guidelines
Q&A

3. Internal Assessment Internal Assessment of your Organization
Clearly define your goals & objectives
Identify the internal resources that your organization can contribute, including who will serve as the Principal Investigator (PI)
Develop a realistic timeline & budget for your project
State the anticipated outcomes. Can these outcomes be measured? Can your organization sustain these outcomes after an initial award?

4. Research
Identify foundations who support your program or project. How do your goals fulfill each foundation’s mission?
Resources:
KSG Research Central
Foundation Center
Professional Network:
Advisory Board Members
Similar Projects within your field

5. Writing Style
Clear and concise language. Pay careful attention to grammar and overuse of acronyms.
Maintain a consistent tone and voice across the various sections of the proposal.
Be consistent throughout the proposal when referring to staff titles and program initiatives.
Proofread

6. Inquiry Letter
Letter to a foundation that provides the following information:
Paragraph 1:
Brief description of your organization and project. The amount you will request and the time needed to accomplish your goals.
Paragraph 2:
Explain how your project is a good match with the foundation’s interests. Describe the problem your project can address.
Paragraph 3:
Discuss the potential outcomes/benefits of your project. Provide your organization’s contact information

7. Components of a Grant Proposal
Executive Summary (Title Page, Abstract, & Purpose)
Snapshot of your project, organization, contact information, and the amount requested.
Statement of Need Present facts and evidence of the “problem” your organization will address—draw upon statistics, published research, etc. Explain how your project provides an innovative solution. Be persuasive.
Project Description (Procedures, Evaluation, & Dissemination)
Concise “plan of action” that describes how your goals and objectives will be accomplished. Provide details of the timeline, methodology, participants, data collection, analysis, how the project’s outcome will be reported to all stakeholders, and the long-term sustainability of the project.
Budget and Budget Narrative
Personnel and nonpersonnel items associated with the operation of the project.
Organization Information (Qualifications)
Demonstrates the ability of your organization to execute the project and accomplish your goals.
Conclusion
Appendices

8. Organization and Presentation
Maintain copies of all submitted paperwork, proposals, and general correspondence with the foundation.
Create a calendar and strive to meet all deadlines.
Presentation:
Table of Contents
Visual Presentation: White Space, Margins, and Headings

9. Kennedy School Guidelines
Role of the Kennedy School’s Research Administration Office (RAO)
Role of Harvard University’s Office for Sponsored Programs (OSP)
Who can serve as a PI?
Who is authorized to sign documents?
Policy on the use of the Harvard and Kennedy School names
Use of Human Subjects