PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

I.  CONCEPT PAPER

• If you are interested in writing a grant proposal, the first step is to complete the online concept paper and submit it to your supervisor for further processing which will then be forwarded to the Planning and Resource Development Office.  You can access the concept paper here .

II.  PROPOSAL

• TABLE OF CONTENTS
  
  
• INTRODUCTION
  
  
  • Describes the College's qualifications or "credibility."
  
  
• NEED STATEMENT
  
  
  • Problem statement which indicates why the plan is necessary, why no other organization can fulfill the need and how the proposed plan meets the need. Need Statements should:

    • clearly document the existence of a real need that demonstrates what "ought to be."
    • create a sense of urgency about closing the gap between what is and what "ought to be."
    • describe how your organization will respond to the need.

  
  
• OBJECTIVES
  
  
  • States the anticipated project outcomes in a clear, measurable terms.
    

    
    EXAMPLE:
    
    

    "Sixty percent (60%) of the 75 students enrolled in Civic Education Through ESL Internet course will increase their reading level by two grades and master eight core competencies in civic education." (Section 3, page 9 California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, Fund for Instructional Improvement RFA 1999, section 3, p.9)

  
  
• PROCEDURES / ACTIVITIES
  
  
  • Work plan which delineates how the objectives will be accomplished. Each objective should be supported by a detailed procedure.
  
  
• PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES / EVALUATION DESIGN
  
  
  • Details the means by which the proposer, the College and the funding agency will know the project has accomplished its objectives within a defined time frame.
  
  
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT / INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT
  
  
  • Describes a plan for continuation of the project beyond the grant period.
  
  
• BUDGET
  
  
  • Financial plan for accomplishing the goals and objectives outlined in the proposal.
  
  
• OVERALL FEASIBILITY OF THE PROJECT
  
  
  • Describes how the project will obtain the required and proposed outcomes.
  
  
• DISSEMINATION
  
  
  • Describes how the College will disseminate their findings.

III.   TIPS FOR GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING

1. Read application and instructions carefully.  Address each criterion of guidelines.
   
   
2. Link the idea to the mission, goals of the College and other planning initiatives, i.e.  Strategic Plan, Educational Master Plan, Accreditation..
   
   
3. Know your target population.
   
   
4. Attend the workshops offered by the funding agency.
   
   
5. Discuss with others how your project will impact different areas of the College.
   
   
6. If applicable, obtain letters of commitment from agencies.
   
   
7. BE CLEAR AND CONCISE WHILE WRITING THE PROPOSAL.
   
   
8. Contact the Planning and Resource Development Office for assistance.
   
   
9. Plan to have the proposal done at least two weeks before the proposal deadline.
   
   
10. If you don't receive funding on the first attempt, try, try again. Remember the "one-out-of-four rule", one out of every four proposals will be funded.

Complete and submit your Concept Paper to your supervisor at least ten business days before the grant deadline.  Upon approval from the supervisor, your proposal will then be presented to Cabinet and forwarded to the Planning and Resource Development Office.

Last Updated: May 29, 2003