Funding Proposals

A proposal is a request for financial assistance to implement a specific project. It's job is to inform and to convince therefore it must communicate exactly what you want to do with the money and how it will address the problem or need.

A few tips

• Get to the point and state simply and clearly what you mean.
• If necessary, use graphs or images to illustrate key points.
• Use footnotes or endnotes to explain issues further without hindering the flow of the document.
• Address everything the grant giving foundation has asked of you and follow the format they suggest.

Be Specific

Your organization may have a lot of things they want to acheive but when writing a funding proposal you must be specific. Limit your goal to a single desired solution to the highest priority problem.

Clear Plans

Have very clear plans about how you will address the need, and exactly how much this will cost. An itemised budget can be added to the proposal to demonstrate how the money will be spent.

Key Elements

The key elements for a funding proposal are the same as a Case for Support, but each element is conveyed in less detail.

• Brief background of the organization. How it began, it's reason for being.
• The need.
• How your project addresses the need. (Your aim and how you plan to acheive it)
• Why your organization is different from similar organizations.
• What impact you are making. List your achievments so far.
• Mention the expertise of the team.
• The cost of the project.
• Have you other funding sources for the project?
• How the money will be used.
• How will the funds specifically benefit those you serve? And the community?
• How will you monitor the project's success?