Student ActionCommunity Service Project

Things to Keep in Mind…

• Why did your group choose this project? – Is this a need to your school, community?– Can you gather evidence that supports the need

for this? For example, conduct an audit, survey– Can you research the problem and explain why it

is a problem?• How will the success of your project be

measured?

Writing a Proposal Writing a proposal is similar to but not exactly the same as crafting a persuasive essay or producing a report. Here are suggestions for developing a proposal, including some pertinent to its specific purpose.

1. A proposal should define a problem and describe a solution that will persuade busy, thrifty, skeptical readers to support it.2. Employ facts, not opinions, to bolster the argument for approval. Research similar plans or projects and cite them, emphasizing their successes and/or how your proposal resolves the weaknesses, omissions, or mistaken priorities apparent in them.3. Analyze your plan or project, demonstrating possible outcomes. If possible, model a small-scale version of the plan or project, report on the results, and extrapolate how the full-scale plan or project will turn out based on the test.4. Any discussion of financial or other resources should be conducted carefully and should present a realistic picture of the expense required.5. Be meticulous in writing, editing, and design of the proposal. Revise as necessary to make it clear and concise, ask others to critique and edit it, and make sure the presentation is attractive and engaging as well as well organized and helpful.

Components of a Proposal

• Cover Page• Summary/Abstract• Introduction• Problem Statement• Methodology• Budget• Evaluation Method• Conclusion

Cover Page

• The cover page summarizes important identifying information: the proposal title; the name, address and telephone number of the principal investigator; the agency and program name; the project's beginning and ending dates; and the budget request.

Summary/Abstract

• A well-written abstract encapsulates the entire proposal, conveying the who, what, where, when, why, and how much of the proposed project. This is usually limited to a page or two.

Introduction

• The introduction draws the reviewer into the proposal, outlining the project and its intent.

Problem Statement

• This section describes the need for your project, your goals and objectives, and your hypothesis or research questions. Your statement of goals presents your vision of the worth and overall contribution of your project. The statement of objectives should be presented in measurable, quantifiable terms.

Methodology

• Describe the methods you will use to achieve your desired outcomes. It is helpful, and often a requirement, to create a timeline for the activities which constitute your method or approach in order to persuade reviewers that you are organized and able to manage the complex demands of a project.

Budget

• Budgets should reflect all the costs related to fundable activities in your project, including personnel costs, such as salaries and wages and fringe benefits, and non-personnel costs, such as travel, equipment, materials and supplies and reproduction. – Budget Narrative: The

budget narrative provides a detailed explanation of how the budget figures were derived.

Evaluation Method

• An evaluation method measures the proposal's stated objectives in order to determine the project's progress and success. Interim or formative evaluations help to fine-tune the project.

• Measurable

Conclusion

• A brief conclusion reiterates the significance and the purpose of your project.

Appendix

Supplementary material at the end of a book, article, document, or other text, usually of an explanatory, statistical, or bibliographic nature.

Things to include would be:• Flyers• Surveys• PowerPoint Presentation