Federal and State Government Agencies that Fund Prevention | Related Federal Initiatives | Announcement of New National Coordinator Program | Foundations as a Funding Source for Prevention | Ten Tips for Writing Successful Proposals | Identifying a Qualified Grant Writer | Tips for Developing Relationships with Potential Funders |

by Linda DeLauri, Harvard Graduate School of Education
(www.gse.harvard.edu/~hgseosr/toolbox.html#tips)

1. Before you start, ask "Can this program or project compete?"
   
   Great writing and proposal presentation cannot make up for a poorly conceived project. Take a hard look at your plans. Are there clear goals and objectives? Is the timeline realistic and achievable? Is the budget reasonable and well justified? Are there solid plans for evaluation and dissemination? Is there a demonstrable need for the project? Are the proposed activities appropriate for the potential project beneficiaries or target audience?

2. Do your homework.
   
   To be successful, a proposal must link project goals and objectives to funder interests. Carefully review your potential funder's annual report and guidelines. If possible, speak to a program officer and talk to other applicants whom they have funded. It is important to have a clear understanding of your potential funder's current priorities and funding areas. Do not expect a funder to set aside its priorities in response to a compelling argument.

3. Know who will read your proposal.
   
   Find out who will review your proposal (e.g., board members, professional foundation staff, the corporate marketing director, members of an employee donation committee, or peers) and try to match your proposal writing and presentation style to their level of sophistication. While technical language and detailed discussion of research methodology are requisite in peer review, a proposal aimed at a corporate decision-maker might benefit more by extra white space, clear headings, bold type, and bullet points.

4. Follow the funder's instructions for format and presentation.
   
   Federal agencies (and an increasing number of private funders) are quite explicit in their expectations of how a proposal should look and be organized. Overlooking page and type-size limits, specific questions to be addressed, mandatory attachments, required forms, binding instructions, or number of photocopies can subject a federal grant application to immediate disqualification. For private funders, a perceived disregard for clearly stated guidelines could lessen a proposal's likelihood for success.

5. Follow basic rules of good writing.
   
   While good writing can't disguise a poorly conceived project, bad writing can bury a great project. A strong opening paragraph, clarity in communicating ideas, smooth transitions and narrative flow, and a persuasive argument are all elements that contribute to a successful proposal. Avoid jargon, rhetoric, and grand statements.

6. Be clear in describing your project.
   
   Successful proposals distinguish goals from objectives and objectives from the methods employed to achieve them. All three (goals, objectives, and methods) are critical elements in a project description. State the need for your project in real terms; use statistics, quotes, case studies, and other firm data.

7. Be accurate and reasonable in budgeting project costs.
   
   Inflated budgets are red flags to seasoned program officers and proposal reviewers. Incomplete or underestimated budgets suggest bad planning, and, if funded, can cause problems when it's time to complete the work. Think the budget through. Base personnel costs on realistic projections of how much time it will take to complete the project activities. Don't use estimates when you can base a budget item on past expenditures or a cost quote from an outside vendor. Cost out travel-related expenses. Make the budget calculations as clear as possible, and make certain that the budget fits with the description of the proposed activities.

8. Allow sufficient time for a final review of the complete proposal.
   
   Pressing too close against a deadline is the surest way to guarantee omissions, typos, and copying snafus. Spelling and neatness really do count! Ideally, one or two people who have not worked on the proposal should review it for content accuracy, clarity, flow of the proposal narrative, grammar, spelling, punctuation, pagination, etc.

9. Avoid negative statements.
   
   While you should always be truthful in proposals, avoid offering negative information that is not requested. If past failures, inconclusive results, or potential challenges to the proposed project need to be addressed, shift the focus to solutions. Avoid direct comparisons with competitors. And, above all, keep in mind that a project or program's dire financial need, in and of itself, is not a strong case for financial support.

10. Submit proposals to multiple funders.
    
    A final decision on a proposal can take 2 to 12 months; 6 months is the norm. Valuable time can be lost waiting for a funding decision that may or may not be positive. Get your proposals out there, to any and all funders whose interests are closely aligned to your project goals and objectives.