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What makes a good proposal?

5 Keys to a Superior PSGC proposal:1. Create a well written, compelling research backed narrative

that describes the problem & serves as justification for action2. Introduce and detail a sound, creative, feasible, service solution3. Distill inputs, outputs, scale & intended outcomes (the logic

model)4. Detail clear barometers of success, including partnerships,

benchmarks, and impact metrics and a evaluation plan5. Include well written and detailed supplementals: a budget,

timeline and letter of support

TIP: Understanding the questions types can help you better create a cohesive narrative.

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PSGC Application: Two Question Types1) Premier Information gathering Questions

Research and justification Narrative and background Service description Logic model Evaluation

2) Demonstrative Supporting Supplemental Questions (PROJECT DETAILS) Timeline of activities for your project

Tip: include planning meetings, service activities, and debriefing meetings and opportunities for observation. A good timeline will demonstrate how the invention will progress and ultimately meet its end goals with respect to actual dates in time.

Project Budget: justifies your expenses in relation to the goals of your project. -What will you use the PSGC money for?-What percentage is PSGC funding of your overall project budget? Tip: A good budget will clarify how the funds you request in your budget relate to the goals of your project including direct action-orientated service, and the community you seek to serve

Letter of Support-Who are the community Partners, individuals and groups involved in supporting the project? Tip: A good letter of support will be addressed specifically to the partnership, clearly descriptive of the intended outcome of the project, and detail how said partner plans to offer support and utilize the resources offered in the partnership

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Good proposal cont.,

Research and justification—Question types1. What is the goal of your project? What issue(s) do you seek to

address through this project? 2. What type of service is being performed that directly addresses

the stated issue above?3. What geographical area is being served through this project? Be

as specific as possible. (Zip code, Ward, Neighborhood/Community name)

Narrative and background– Question types1. Why is this project important? 2. What is your previous experience with the issue? 3. What role will you play as the project lead? What are your

unique responsibilities? 4. Who will benefit from the project? How will they benefit?

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Good proposal cont.,

Describing the “Service or invention” idea- Question types

1. What issue(s) do you seek to address through this project?

2. What type of service is being performed that directly addresses the stated issue above?

3. How will your project help deliver solutions that supports the mission of a community organization?

Ultimately, what is your idea and how will it work to improve the situation?

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Good proposal cont., Logic model– Question types

1. Inputs: What is the estimated number of participants for this project? How will each of the participants listed above contribute? How many will be served? Who are the community Partners, individuals and groups involved in supporting the project? (SCALE)

2. Project’s Success Measures/ metricsQuantifiable, tangible outputs that will be used to measure your project’s progression over the project life-cycle: (Example: Number of meals served, or books donated)

3. Project outcomesWhat specific results and overall impact does your project seek to achieve by the end of the project life-cycle? (Example: An increased literacy rate for pre-schoolers in Ward 5 of Washington DC.)

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Good proposal cont.,

Evaluation Tools- Question typesDo you have a plan to evaluate your project? How will you know your project was successful?

Tips: What type of evaluation or assessment tool will best compliment and showcase the effectiveness of your service idea? A successful project can answer the latter question with data backed from the evaluation.

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Sustainability Projects

An action oriented project that puts resources (money, time, personnel, and supplies) towards supporting an organization’s mission through its existing model of service delivery.

Example: Support for a existing program designed to keep seniors in their homes for longer

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Snapshot: ‘Not So Good’ Sustainability proposal

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Snapshot: A ‘good’ Sustainability proposal

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Why Good/Not So Good

Good: It’s a S.M.A.R.T proposal!!(Specific, manageable, attainable, realistic, term-limited)

Not So Good: Not Local, No long-term sustainability plan in place, no previous experience, no strong partner agency in an int’l setting.

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Enhancement Projects

An action oriented project that proposes an additional service component which seeks to meet an organization’s mission. Enhancement projects may propose an additional component of service to bolster the organization’s capacity to meet its mission.

Example: Providing art programs to students involved in a non-profit organization that specializes in increasing literacy rates of underserved youth.

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Snapshot A ‘Good’ enhancement project

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Snapshot: ‘Not so good’ enhancement project

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Why Good/Not So Good

Good: experience with the service, properly scaled invention and support , detailed partners and SMART type of service intervention.

Not So Good: metrics DO NOT align with the intended outcomes, lack of detail on evaluation, evaluation doesn't plan to capture information needed to prove outcome

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Innovation Projects

A wholly unique focused action-oriented solution that proposes a new approach meeting a pressing community need. May or may not be in partnership with an existing organization

Example: Starting a baseball skills training camp to address issues of childhood obesity, life skills and athletic development for young men in Ward 8 of Washington DC.

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A ‘Good’ Innovation Project

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A ‘Not So Good’ innovation project

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Why Good/Not So Good

Good: ‘New’ in DC, targeted issues, innovative approach STEM education and obesity, good partnerships, scaled

Not So Good: Successful should be a qualitative or quantitative outcome not a celebratory event. Weak evaluation components. Outcomes not clearly defined.

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Tip and Tricks: PSGC Budget Template

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A ‘good’ budget

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A ‘good’ budget cont.,

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Tips and Tricks: PSGC Timeline Template

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A ‘good’ timeline

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PSGC Letter of Support Template

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A ‘good’ letter of support

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Tips and tricks: Plan by using a logic model

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Tips and Tricks: Evaluation Strategy

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How are proposals scored?

Proposals are accepted for a variety of public and community service areas, including, but not limited to, education, youth and families, the environment, arts, health, and community and economic development.

The commission believes that ideally social entrepreneurs should be principled, entrepreneurial, collaborative and creative.

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Tips and Tricks: Commissioners score PSGC proposals based on…

1. Project Validity – Does this proposal contain the core elements of a valid proposal?

2. Technical Soundness — Does the completed proposal contain essential elements needed to successfully complete a project?

3. Project Feasibility — Is it a S.M.A.R.T proposal? (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Term-limited)

4. Project IMPACT Assessment- innovative, meaningful, partnership, audience, community, type of service

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Additional Resources

PSGC Open House Sessions: Fridays 3-5pm, Colonial Crossroads, thru Feb 2/28. psgc@gwu.edu or cbasden@gwu.edu

GWUpstart mentoring sessions available by appointment upstart@gwu.edu