GRASAG –KNUST RESEARCH SEMINAR, 02 NOVEMBER

BUDGETING AND PROPOSAL FOR FUNDING

William Oduro FRNR, CANR, KNUST

Writing An Effective Grant Proposal

William Oduro

Goals For The Workshop

Learn an effective proposal writing process Discuss strategies for writing an effective

proposal Explain pitfalls to avoid to keep your

proposal from being rejected

Consider The Rhetorical Situation

Consider The Rhetorical Situation

Writer’s Purpose– Explain a problem that requires change– Demonstrate a need for funding– Show that your project will solve the problem

Reader’s Purpose– Determine if your project matches the goals of the

funding agency– Decide if your project is worthwhile and unique– Conclude that you are competent

Consider the Rhetorical Situation

Text (Proposal)– Will be read quickly– Look professional and free of errors– Meet specific requirements– Follow a standard format– Answer reader’s questions– Persuade the reader that you’re competent

Proposal Writing Process

1. Plan your projects, determine your funding needs, and locate a funding source that matches

2. Implement a focused grant proposal

3. Evaluate your grant proposal and respond to evaluation by others

A Circular Process: PIE

Plan Your Projects

Establish your agency’s identity Outline your projects and funding

requirements Identify funding sources Analyze the goals of the granting agency Analyze the RFP for the grant Locate successful models of funding

Establish Your Agency’s Identity

Begin with your central identity or core values

List 2 or 3 key services that you provide

Outline your clientele Determine what is

unique about your organization

Outline Your Projects and Funding Requirements

What is unique about these projects? Who will benefit? Where and when will the projects take

place? How much will the projects cost? Why is there a need to fund these projects?

Identify Funding Sources

Government sources Private foundations Corporations Special interest groups Internet sources

Analyze The Goals Of The Granting Agency

What are the goals of the granting agency? What is their strategic plan? Why was the fund set up? What do they want to fund? How is the funding calculated? What other obligations are involved? What are the requirements of the RFP?

Analyze The Goals Of The Granting Agency

What does the agency want to fund– Any special target

group? – Any special functions? – Any special way of

operating? – Any particular

priorities at a given time?

Analyze the RFP (Request for Proposals)

How it the funding calculated?

Maximum/minimum grant per project?

What is and isn’t funded? Does the applicant pay a

percentage of the costs? When is the grant paid?

Analyze the RFP (Request for Proposals)

What other obligations are involved?

What is the timeline for completion?

What kinds of reports are required?

Are there any deliverables required?

Analyze the RFP (Request for Proposals)

What parts of the proposal are required?

What will be the evaluation criteria?

Are there successful models you can follow?

Who will read the proposal?

Locate Successful Models Of Funding

What is unique about the projects? How do the goals in the proposal and the

goals of the funding agency match? What did you like about the proposal? At what point were you convinced that this

was a proposal worth funding? Why?

Implement A Successful Proposal

Identify the current situation requiring change

Specify your plan to improve the situation

Outline your qualifications to do the work

Itemize costs and benefits of your plan

Select Components Of The Proposal

Outline components required by the RFP

Describe details of your project

Create a budget Obtain approvals and

permissions Submit your proposal on

time

Strategies For Writing Your Proposal

Content Organization Style Design

Content

Be focused and specific Show how your project is

related to the grant giver’s goals

Provide details, including the budget

Include everything required by the RFP

Organization

Provide an executive summary Follow the guidelines of the RFP Use headings, overviews, and summaries

Style

Define terms Be succinct Allow time for revision Get feedback from other people

Design

Use page numbers, headers, and footers

Include photos and diagrams

Make sure the proposal looks professional

Assume a skim/scan reading

Respond to Evaluations

Revise your proposal for content

Analyze the organization of your pro

Edit

Pitfalls To Avoid In Writing The Proposal

Being too ambitious in your projects Using generalities Assuming a linear reading Assuming readers know your capabilities Hiding costs Sending the proposal in at the last minute Failing to revise and resubmit the proposal

Act on the Evaluations

Complete the project and seek renewal

Or Request reviews,

revise, and resubmit