Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal

c. Methods

* There should be a very clear link between the methods you describe in this section and the objectives you have previously defined. Be explicit in your writing and state exactly how the methods you have chosen will fulfill your project’s objectives and help deal with the needs/problems on which your proposal is focused.

* The prospective funding agency will be looking at your methods to see what new, unique or innovative actions you are proposing. Make sure you clearly present the innovative aspects of your idea.

* Are the specific methods you are proposing for your project very important to your unique clientele? Make sure you clarify this for the funding organization.

* Do not forget to include the collaborative relationships your project will be developing with other cooperating groups. A good way to show collaboration is in the methods that you will be using. How will the methods for your project encourage groups to join together in dealing with the issues/concerns your project addresses?

* Your Methods section should clearly indicate how the methods that will be used will allow the outcomes of your project to have value for others beyond your project. (This can also tie into your Dissemination Plan - see the Appendices section for more hints on dissemination.)

d. Staff/Administration
* Use this section to describe the roles of the different people associated with your project and the importance of each.

* Make sure to clarify how each of the roles are essential to the success of the project and how each role clearly relates to operationalizing the methods you have described.

* So what do you say about your key people? To start, make sure you include name, title, experience, and qualifications. Include other information if you feel it is important to the success of your project.

* The descriptions of your personnel should let the funding agency know that you have excellent people who are committed to the project. You are not asking the funding agency to "trust" you. The validity of what you are proposing is directly related to the people who will work with the project.

* Working together as a part of a team is something that funding agencies often like to see. Try making your project a team effort.

* If you will be using a Steering Committee (Advisory Committee, Governing Board, etc.) to assist in your project, this is a good place to describe how it will be organized and who will be included.

* A Steering Committee can be very helpful to you and your project. You can enlist the support of a variety of other agencies/organizations by placing a representative of these agencies/organizations on your Steering Committee.

* Make sure you define the length of service for the members of the Steering Committee (so that membership can rotate and you can minimize the length of service of someone who may not be helpful!).

* Members of a Steering Committee can greatly help in identifying and linking to other resources.

* A viable Steering Committee can suggest to a funding agency that the project has strong links to the local situation and the project has a good chance of continuing after the funding period is over.

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