Learning From Sample Proposals

Thinking that another, similar organization's proposal can be substituted for one of your own is a mistake. Grant proposals are unique and no two are alike. No two organizations are alike, foundation guidelines are not alike and thinking that your proposal could be a copy of something that has already been submitted is not the way to craft a winning grant.

We can learn a lot from reviewing proposals and reading samples of grant outlines. As writers our senses are altered when we edit work that is not our own. We notice the voice and flow of words that didn't come from our thoughts. We learn a what works and what definitely doesn't. Reviewing grants gives writers the chance to "beg, borrow and steal" good ideas to add their own toolbox.

Below are sample excerpts from two different proposals. Notice the different approaches to the question. Each was asked to answer: What are your long-term funding strategies?

A. ABC Organization's long-term funding strategies for sustaining this effort includes obtaining foundation and corporate grants, soliciting individual contributions and sponsors, in-kind gifts, and conducting a full-scale capital campaign.

B. Collaboration with other programs and agencies continues to be a key to sustainability. The sharing of resources and referrals to external programming allow us to ensure that resources are not duplicated, as well as pooling the knowledge gained to develop the most effective and most innovative education methods. Diversification of funding is also critical in program sustainability. Finally, sustainability will come in the form of an increased emphasis on volunteers. Properly used volunteers can have a tremendous impact on the ability of an agency to serve the community, and over the past three years XYZ Organization has increased its commitment to the use of volunteers in program delivery.

The first proposal was asking for $30,000 a year, for two years. The second, a $5,000 one-time grant.

If you were a grantmaker, which answer sparks your interest? Which answer gives you the information you need? (Remember, grantmakers review a lot of proposals and skim for the answers.) Which response gives you confidence in the grantees actions? Is their plan feasible or is it just fluff that answers the question without a lot of detail?

There is no possible way of knowing what the discussion sounded like when the grants were reviewed. Both answers addressed the question, but how well did they do it in context to their request? Being clear and concise is the best way to form your response.

I hope you learned something from reading these answers and could craft something even better for your own proposal!

~Cheers!