Simple Steps For Successful Proposal Writing

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By Kenneth Fox


The applications that win grants are those that show merit. This means that your proposal writing skills will make the difference between being success and failure. The application serves as your attorney before a panel that knows nothing about you. The best way to qualify therefore is to draft a winning funding application. It helps you beat a field of equally qualified applicants by presenting the most compelling case.

Your application is introduced by a summary of the project. It comes in a few paragraphs without exceeding one page. The language used is first person with a description of objectives and significance of your undertaking. This summary gives the vetting panel an overview of what they are about to read or encounter. Without the summary, they can easily get bored waiting for a conclusion while reading an entire document. This reduces your chances of getting the project approved.

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.

Donors want to ensure that their monies are spent properly and on intended items. They will only fund your project if your application provides this guarantee. For an organization, they are looking for structures and personnel that provide certainty that intended goals will be achieved. It helps if you have implemented a similar project in the past. The evidence should show the milestones achieved and lessons learnt so that the current project can be implemented better.

The purpose of any project is to have social impact. It is therefore mandatory for your proposal to show the social impact your engagements will have. Use a case study to show the change before and after your intervention. A story of a needy person works magic in this regard.

Projects are always timed. Your application should provide an indication of how activities will take place from commencement to completion of your project. The schedule should capture all activities, the persons involved and the goals that will be achieved in the process. There should be a logical flow of events with provisions for emergencies. The goals achieved at the end of each event should be in line with the ultimate goals of your project.

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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