Simplified Criteria For Proposal Writing

By Kenneth Fox


The applications that win grants are those that show merit. This means that your proposal writing skills will make the difference between being success and failure. The application serves as your attorney before a panel that knows nothing about you. The best way to qualify therefore is to draft a winning funding application. It helps you beat a field of equally qualified applicants by presenting the most compelling case.

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.

Grants target release of a particular amount for a project. Prepare a detailed budget capturing every expense that will go into successful completion of the project. Be specific about the expenses to be incurred. Include authorization signatories and schedule for expenditure. A provision for miscellaneous expenditure should also be made during budgeting.

Monitoring projects during implementation and evaluating it upon completion indicate openness. It shows that you are ready to account for your activities and time. Your application should capture the steps taken towards monitoring and evaluation. A good proposal is one that shows all intentions of implanting a project with incredible social impact.




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