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Tuesday 14 June 2016

Simple Steps For Successful Proposal Writing

By Kenneth Fox


Grants are awarded based on the merit of application. Proposal writing therefore takes center stage in helping you secure funding. The application pleads your case in front of a panel that does not know you. It helps to understand how to craft a winning application for sponsorship. The level of competition is usually very high. This means that only the most outstanding application will go through.

Proposals are first judged on the basis of introduction. The introduction should contain an executive summary of what to expect. Make the summary precise and to the point. The language used is first person and should provide names and positions of persons directly responsible for implementation. State the objectives of undertaking the envisaged project and the significance it has on target population. This brief introduces the idea to panelists instead of having to peruse through the entire document. Lack of a summary compromises your chances of being shortlisted.

The section is followed by a description of the project. This includes a background that has informed your course of action. This is the justification you provide to work on the project. Include the methodology that will be used to achieve envisaged goals. Your application should contain particulars on persons that will be involved in implementation.

Donors want to ensure that their monies are spent properly and on intended items. They will only fund your project if your application provides this guarantee. For an organization, they are looking for structures and personnel that provide certainty that intended goals will be achieved. It helps if you have implemented a similar project in the past. The evidence should show the milestones achieved and lessons learnt so that the current project can be implemented better.

The purpose of any project is to have social impact. It is therefore mandatory for your proposal to show the social impact your engagements will have. Use a case study to show the change before and after your intervention. A story of a needy person works magic in this regard.

Projects are always timed. Your application should provide an indication of how activities will take place from commencement to completion of your project. The schedule should capture all activities, the persons involved and the goals that will be achieved in the process. There should be a logical flow of events with provisions for emergencies. The goals achieved at the end of each event should be in line with the ultimate goals of your project.

Since proposals are about money, you should provide a budget for the entire project. The budget should capture all expenses for the phase or activities relating to the application. A proper budget contains the specifics on which the money will be spent. All expenses must be in line with implementation goals. Indicate the authorized signatories. Make a provision for miscellaneous expenditure that is likely to arise in the process of execution.

Monitoring and evaluation is a crucial part of any project. Your application should provide clear guidelines on steps to be taken to ensure successful implementation of envisaged project. These are checks and balances that define your operations. In general, your proposal should give an image of a person or organization that is ready, capable and willing to complete a project that has an impact.




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