GUIDE FOR WRITING A FUNDING PROPOSAL
Project Overview
Think of the Project Overview as an Executive Summary (the
busy executive probably only has enough time to read your Overview - not the
entire proposal). Be specific and concise. Do not go into detail on aspects of
your proposal that are further clarified at a later point in your
proposal.The
Project Overview should "paint a picture" of your proposal in the mind of the
reader. It should establish the framework so that the rest of the proposal has
a frame of reference.Use
the Project Overview to begin to show your knowledge of the organization from
which you are requesting funds. Key concerns of the funding organization can
be briefly identified in relation to your proposed project.If you will be collaborating with other organizations make sure
some of their interests are also highlighted in the Project Overview. This can
assist in strengthening the collaboration by recognizing them at the very
beginning of your proposal.The
best time to prepare the Project Overview is after you have completed the
entire proposal (and you understand all aspects of your proposal very well).
Let the Overview be your last piece of writing and then insert it at the
beginning of your proposal.Try
to keep in mind that someone will be reviewing your proposal and you would
like to have this person be very positive about what you have written. The
Project Overview will probably form a strong impression in the mind of the
reviewer. Work on your Project Overview so that you can avoid giving this
person the opportunity to say things like:
Not an
original idea Rationale is weak Writing
is vague Uncertain outcomes Does
not have relevant experience Problem
is not important Proposal is unfocused Project
is too large.