Tips on Writing a Grant

Corporate Grants

Developing the Proposal Concepts: Don't worry, you are not in this alone.   The Office of Corporate Relations will assist you in the following:

• Developing proposal concepts

• Assisting with draft organization and preparation

• Creating a budget

• Editing and proofreading

• Copying and distributing

• Budget Guide

However, before any help can be given you have to take the first step by outlining what your ideas are.

Before you begin writing the actual proposal, all of the various components should be thought through. If you have answers to the following information you are well on the way to preparing the request.

• What is the need for this project? (Why is it important that this project is funded relative to what others are doing in the same area? What makes your project stand out from the rest?)

• Who is the audience being served?

• What are your specific goals, objectives and action plans ? (You should have an actual timeline.)

• What are the expected quantifiable outcomes or results?

• What method will be used to evaluate the proposed outcomes?

• What is the exact budget? ITEMIZED. Who else will support this project and what will the University offer in the way of gift-in-kind?

• How will the project be funded after the initial grant?   This is an issue that is very important to grant makers.

Don't forget the "SO WHAT?" rule.   If, after preparing all of your justifications, you can say SO WHAT...and not feel you have given a compelling argument...go back to the drawing board! (If you don't think it sounds convincing think how someone sitting in an office reading about your project will respond.) The sooner you are honest with yourself the sooner you can get down to the business of preparing the actual proposal. This will save a lot of time and frustration up front.

Proposal Preparation

Executive Summary - to be prepared after the proposal is completed.

• Need -   should be no more than 2 pages

Why is this project necessary? Are there any statistics or examples that can be used?

• Project Description - no more than 3 pages

What is your main goal and all related objectives? Be precise.

How will you accomplish these objectives? Present in a timeline listing all activities by month and year.

Who will be involved in this project? Which faculty, special paid staff, grad assistants, consultants, etc. Qualifications of these people should be outlined.

How will you measure/assess your results? What tools will be used? For each outcome there should be a method assessing the effectiveness of the grant. Who will be responsible for gathering the measurements?

How will the project be funded in the future once initial funding is complete?

What sources of funding are being explored as potential funders?

What proposals are outstanding, confirmed, in process?

Has Fairfield committed any support to the project? Will this be one-time or continuous? If limited, how long will the University support the project?