Proposal Writing, Fundraising and Sustainability

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Proposal Writing, Fundraising and Sustainability

• Proposal Writing Basic Structure

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Getting ready

• Research what the funder wants
• Gather what you need data, reports, financial
  information etc
• Insist on consistency ensure an approval
  process to sign the proposal
• Plan ahead and get the timing right
• Be prepared to send supplementary information if
  requested
• Be ready to meet the funder for further
  discussion
• Know which parts of your proposal you will
  negotiate on, and which parts you wont
• Be ready to wait

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General Tips

• Be creative and positive about the need to tackle
  the problems you identify
• Break big problems down into small areas of focus
• Dont assume the problem is obvious to everyone
  give it a human dimension
• Be realistic dont promise what you cant
  deliver
• Avoid jargon
• Highlight your credibility skills, experience,
  evidence in every section
• Get a critical friend to read it before the
  funder sees it

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Structure

• Introduction
• Summary / overview
• Statement of need
• Project description
• Budget
• Sustainability / future plans
• Organisation information
• Conclusion

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Introduction

• The opening statement must encourage the funder
  to read on
• This is your elevator pitch use every word
  wisely
• Let the funder know that you have researched
  their interest in this area of work
• Keep to one or two paragraphs if you can

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Summary / overview

• Introduce the need, and why it matters
• Describe your proposed solution to meet the need,
  briefly
• Set out your credibility your skills and
  experience to provide the solution
• Let the funder know what you are asking for
• Keep each section short use simple, powerful
  language.

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Statement of need

• Expand on your description of the need provide
  evidence
• Look forward to the difference you will make
• Respect the beneficiaries you describe
• Be careful about suggesting a sense of crisis
  being unrealistic can undermine your case
• Can your statement of need be used as a baseline?
  If not, be clear that a baseline needs to be
  established

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Project description

• Overall aim
• Link to the funders criteria
• Objectives
• Specific, measurable, timed
• Methods how, when, why
• Wider outcomes and benefits of the process
• Capability
• Staff, skills, experience etc to make it happen
• Evaluation
• What will be evaluated, how, when and by whom
• Sustainability
• What comes after the grant?

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Budget

• Simple presentation
• Get the sums right!
• Dont guess
• Explain budget lines
• Cost your own contributions
• Explain any other funders contributions

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Organisational information

• Your track record
• Governance arrangements
• An overview of your current activities
• Describe your strategic direction and the fit
  of the proposed project

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Conclusion

• A very brief end statement
• Firm reminder of the importance of finding a
  solution to the needs
• Link to the funders interests this is the
  start of a collaboration in which you will make a
  difference together