Proposal Writing

Table of Contents
Title Page
Dedication
List of Figures
List of Tables
Preface to the Fourth Edition
Chapter One: An Orientation to Proposal Writing
A. A Book for the Beginning Grant Writer
B. A Brief History of Giving and Philanthropy
C. About the Non-Profit Agency
D. Differences between Grants and Contracts
E. Funding Sources and Guidelines for Grants and Contracts
* Governmental versus Foundation Applications
F. The Proposal Submission and Scoring Processes
* Proposal Scoring
Chapter Two: Organizing the Writing and Using Technology
A. The Nuts and Bolts of Writing a Proposal
B. Writing for an Established versus New Organization
* Writing for an Established Organization
C. Writing Style and Format
D. The Components of the Proposal
E. Using Techology
* The Role and Use of Search Engines
* Review of Funders' Websites
* Assessing Data
* Electronic Submission of the Proposal
Chapter Three: Assessing the Organization
A. Mission-Driven Analysis of the Organization
B. Organizational Capacity
* Survey of the Organization
C. The Agency Capability Statement
* Sample Applicant Capability Statement
* Supportive Documentation
D. Working with a Collaborative
E. Writing a Proposal for a Collaborative
* Determine the Need and Establish Goals
* Explore Potential Program Offerings and Benefits
* Develop the Final Program Concept and Budget
Chapter Four: Generating and Refining Proposal Ideas
A. Understanding the Community
* Analyzing the Community through Data
- Client/Community Needs Assessment
- City, County, and State Demographic Data
- Journal Articles
- Local Newspapers
B. Problem or Needs-Based Program Ideas
C. Understanding Barriers in Program Design
* Barriers to Service
D. Agency Capacity and Sustainability
* Sustainability: Determining Income Generating Potential
* The Life Cycle of a Project
* Multi-Source Funding
E. Formulating Program Ideas
F. Applying the Logic Model
Chapter Five: Writing the Needs/Problem Statement
A. The Goal of the Need Statement
B. A Guide to Writing the Need Statement
* The Nature and Extent of the Need/Problem
* Factors Contributing to the Problem or Conditions
* Impact of the Need/Problem
* Promising Approaches for Improved Results
Chapter Six: Writing Goals, Objectives, and the Implementation Plan
Section One: Goals and Objectives
A. Program Goals
B. Formulating Objectives
C. Types of Objectives
* Process Objectives
* Outcome Objectives
Section Two: Implementation Plan
A. Developing the Implementation Plan
* Inputs - Resources/Preparatory Activities
* Process or Program-Related Activities
* Outputs/Units of Service
B. Writing the Project Narrative
C. Scope of Work
D. Project Timeline
Chapter Seven: Writing the Evaluation Plan
A. The Benefits of Evaluation
* Funder's Perspective
* Organization's Perspective
B. Developing an Evaluation Plan
C. Using the Logic Model
D. Process Evaluation
E. Outcome Evaluation
F. Writing the Evaluation Section
G. Other Evaluation Considerations
Chapter Eight: Creating the Budget
A. The Budget Context
B. Preparation of a Line Item Budget
C. Other Types of Budgets
* Matching Funds and In-Kind Budgets
D. Other Budgeting Issues
* Budget Adjustment
* Budget Amendment
* Contract Negotiations and Subcontracting
Chapter Nine: Finishing Touches
A. Requesting Letters of Support
B. Proposal Abstract
C. Title and Title Page
D. Cover Letter
Appendix A: Estimating Time
Appendix B: Funding Resource Information
References and Suggested Readings
Index
About the Authors