Writing a Project ProposalFundraising Workshop ILGA-Europe, Krakow

By Maxim Anmeghichean

CONTENTSSTART-UPKEY ELEMENTS OF A GRANT PROPOSAL (cover letter, title page, summary, introduction, problem or need assessment, objectives, activities / methods, evaluation plan, sustainability, budget). EXERCISES / EXPERIENCE

ORGANIZING WORKInvolve your team (one person shouldnt write a proposal)Prepare all preliminary information Create a checklistDont bother the funder too much during the preparation processThink of the structure

START-UP WORKIdentifying a project ideaLooking for a potential funderStudying priorities, guidelines and application forms / previously funded projectsEstablishing initial contact (organizations mission and vision, strategy, structure, team)Creating partnerships (now or earlier)

COVER LETTERFirst thing the funder readsMust engage the reader so (s)he reads the rest of the proposalPersonal, to the point, conciseStructure: project title, goals and objectives, total amount requested, duration of the project)

SUMMARYA succinct, clear synopsis of the projectNot more than a pageDescription of the organizationStatement of problem and / or needProject objectivesOutline of proposed activitiesThe amount requested

INTRODUCTIONDescription of the applicant (mission, vision, values, strategic objectives, structure, team)Short list of organizations achievementsWho are you beneficiaries and partnersWhy do you apply to this funder?

NEEDS ASSESSMENTWhat is the problem or need?Describe the problem in relation to your target groupPlace the problem in a larger context your organizations works inUse figures and concrete examples (case studies)Relate it to the funders guidelines and priorities

OBJECTIVESAll objectives should be SMART i.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timed.Specific - Be precise about what you are going to achieve Measurable - Quantify you objectives Achievable - Are you attempting too much? Realistic - Do you have the resource to make the objective happen (human resources, financial, the right context and opportunities)? Timed - State when you will achieve the objective (within a month? By February 2010?)

EXAMPLES OBJECTIVESStrategic objective: to promote the change of negative social attitude towards LGBT community and discriminatory governmental practices by means of awareness raising activities.Short-term objectives:Objective 1:to provide different governmental actors, the society and LGBT community with objective information about sexual orientation and gender identityObjective 2: to increase the level of tolerance of mass media towards sexual minorities and transgender personsObjective 3: to create networks / partnerships with professional groups working with sexual and gender minorities in order to improve their skills and qualifications

METHODS / ACTIVITIESAnswer to the question HOW?Right place to give details and figuresPut activities in the time orderGive reasons why you selected this methodBe consistent with overall project goal, objectives and the contextMake references to previous use of the method by you or other organizations

OUTCOMES / OUTPUTSKnow the differenceOutcome: long term result / effect (hard to measure)Output is a very concrete result / product (easily measurable)Provide both outcomes and outputs in a clear structure

EVALUATION PLANStrategy to measure the successExplanation of the criteria used to measure the successIncludes:- quantitative indicators (numbers)- qualitative indicators (contents) - vision of success (what you want to achieve

BUDGETStructure: human resources, purchases, operational costs, activitiesClear budget items (how did you come up with the amount youve indicated in the budget line)Explanations to the budget in annex (why you need a particular amount, offers, etc.)

THE FUNDER IS YOUR MR. OR MRS. RIGHT!ASK YOUR MR(S) RIGHT TO MARRY YOU. WHAT WILL YOU SAY? THAT THERE IS A WARRANT OUT ON YOUR ARREST? WILL DISCUSS YOUR PREVIOUS FAILED MARRIAGES? WILL BRING UP YOUR FAMILY PREDISPOSITION FOR TERRIBLE DISEASES? NO!

THE FUNDER IS YOUR MR. OR MRS. RIGHT!Tell your Mr(s) Right that you are:WinningUpbeatAmbitiousCan-doStrong and getting stronger!You have made yourself very attractive to your Mr(s) Right! Happy honey moon!