Susan G. Komen for the CureLos Angeles County Affiliate

Grant Writing WorkshopAugust 1, 2012

Review general strategies for assembling a competitive proposal.

Develop skills and increase comfort with writing project objectives that are specific, measurable, and achievable.

Review ways to design simple, doable methods for measurement and evaluation of project objectives.

Begin to demystify the application and review process.

Today’s Purpose

Deciding to Apply~Your First Questions~

Does the potential funding fit your organization and its goals?

Does your project fit the goals and requirements of the potential funder?

Can you meet and work within the requirements of the funder?

What do you need to know about the proposal/application requirements before you start?

How competitive will your proposal be?

The Answer is ‘Yes’~Review the Opportunity Further~

Purpose

Activities

Resources and budget

Proposed deliverables and outcomes

~Prepare to Construct the Proposal~

Clearly define the proposed project.

Develop a detailed internal checklist and timeline to:

Ensure that you provide ALL required material in the required format

Budget the time needed to complete and review all components

~Assembling the Proposal~Follow Instructions

Plan Ahead

Drafting a Competitive Narrative

Specific and detailed Clear and organized Based on good data and information All narrative sections clearly tie together and

describe the same project Demonstrates a link between the need in the

community, the proposed activities, and the proposed objectives

Qualities of a Competitive Narrative

Do Put information in the order that the funder

requests and respond to every question

Plan time to edit and shorten(50% of narrative first drafts are too long)

Get an outside reader with a “fresh” eye

Do’s and Don’ts for a Competitive Narrative

Don’t Assume the reader knows anything about

the topic Use professional jargon or acronyms without

explanation “Cut and paste” old proposals (without

carefully editing) Include information that is not relevant to

the proposed project

Do’s and Don’ts for a Competitive Narrative

Ensure that the budget is realistic, correct and clearly linked to the proposed activities

Include letters of support, if applicable, that are meaningful and unique

Provide resumes, job descriptions, sample documents, etc., that are complete, current and congruent with the proposal details

~The Supporting Documentation~

Narrative Review Exercise

Break

Drafting Project Objectives

Specific

Measurable

Achievable

Relevant

Time-bound

Defining SMART

Clearly explain what you propose to achieve

What specific activities will you complete◦ Provide at least 100 mammograms

What specific change you will accomplish◦ Increase knowledge of healthy eating habits

among participants [by 50%]

Why Measurable?

Clearly demonstrate that you achieved what you proposed◦ Show how many services you provided

◦ Show how many people you served

◦ Show that you served members of your target population

◦ Show that you achieved a change in your target population

Why Measure?

Two main strategies Count

◦ Numbers served◦ Number of activities completed◦ Information about activities and persons served

(e.g. locations or ages)

Test the change◦ Pre and post test◦ Survey

How/What to Measure?

Draft the Objective

By December 31, 2012, provide 5 diabetes management workshops each to at least 25 Samoan adults with Type II diabetes.

By December 31, 2012, increase the diabetes management knowledge of at least 25 Samoan adults with Type II diabetes [by at least 50%], as demonstrated by pre- and post-test results.

By December 31, 2012, improve the diabetes management practices of at least 15 Samoan adults with Type II diabetes, as measured by routine blood testing and higher consumption fruits and vegetables.

~Sample Objectives~

Panel Discussion and Q&A