Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Simplified Criteria For Proposal Writing

By Kenneth Fox


Merit is the basis upon which all grants are approved. Mastery of proposal writing ensures that you produce a compelling application. The competitive environment means that only the most captivating will be funded. Proposals are used as advocates for your case in front of a vetting panel that has no idea who you are. Only the most memorable presentation will qualify for a positive funding decision.

The introduction of any application should contain a summary of what to expect. These are few paragraphs without going beyond a page. Use first person to describe the significance of your undertaking to the people affected and the objectives you hope to achieve at the end. It is a preview that gives the panelists an idea of what to expect. They do not have to read through the entire document to know what your project is all about. Failure to provide the summary reduces your chances of even getting shortlisted.

A project description follows detailing the background of your program. It forms the justification or drive behind undertaking the project. Indicate the goals that will be achieved and the methodology to be used in achieving these goals. You may also consider including the persons who will be involved directly or indirectly.

Funding organizations are interested in the safety or security of their money. They need a guarantee that their money is secure. This can only be provided through technical ability. Enumerate your technical ability to accomplish the project. This includes a history of completing such projects. Past projects provide referees to confirm your competence. It helps if the project was funded or supervised by the same organization.

Every project targets social impact, with particular goals as required by donors. It is therefore necessary for your application to show social impact and the manner in which it will transform lives. A story or case study could be used to indicate the situation or status before and expected scenario after. Stories have an emotional appeal to panelists.

Every project or funding has a timing factor. Successful applications provide a schedule indicating what will happen at a particular time and the persons who will be involved. Indicate the milestones and the persons responsible for particular milestones. The events should be logical including room for emergency. Midterm goals should build-up towards the ultimate one.

Grants target release of a particular amount for a project. Prepare a detailed budget capturing every expense that will go into successful completion of the project. Be specific about the expenses to be incurred. Include authorization signatories and schedule for expenditure. A provision for miscellaneous expenditure should also be made during budgeting.

Every project must be monitored during implementation and evaluated after completion. Provide a mechanism that will guarantee implementation in the proposed manner. These are checks and balances on which your work will be centered. Everything in your proposal should create a picture of a goal or a better place after completion of proposed project.




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