Proposal Writing

Lesson Learned Guiding Principles

  • At the heart of program innovation, and therefore any successful proposal, is your idea – as mentioned earlier, the idea can be big or little, bold or modest, but above all it must be a viable solution to a real need.  The attractiveness of the core idea conveyed in the proposal is key to its success…

Lesson Learned Key Success Factors in Proposal Writing

  • Besides adequately addressing the terms of reference, and clearly articulating the proposed program’s unique features, be sure to address such questions as:
  • o What is the need that the proposed program is meeting? What is    the evidence of that need?
    o How does your program address this need…

Lesson Learned Tips on Budgeting

  • Submit a budget that is below the specified maximum, even a couple percentage points can look really good to a funder (or more to the point phone up and ask about what a realistic pitch for your project would be).

  • If cash and in-kind contributions factor into the proposal, what is the value specified for in-kind services?  For example, what is the hourly value the funder places on volunteers when calculating the value of in-kind services?  Does the funder allow program income (e.g., fees, sales, fundraising) to be included as part of the project’s matching contributions?

  • Spell out your costing as specifically as possible.  Although it is true that for most proposals the overall cost is a major consideration, cost is not always the overriding factor.  If the proposal is otherwise attractive, and if your costing is transparent enough, a funder may have reasonable suggestions about how or where to trim costs…

Food For Thought

A funding transaction is a relationship.  Funders have needs too.  It is only through conversation about what is planned and how agency and funder might seize the opportunity can the proposal writer actually get the right details in. 

Recommended Resources

Social Capital Partners invests in social enterprises that employ populations outside the economic mainstream in Canada.  The goal of these social enterprises is to acquire scale, to exist without external subsidy, and to create improved social outcomes and financial self-sufficiency for the populations they employ.  SCP also hopes to encourage and catalyze other innovative funding mechanisms for social initiatives.

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