Grant proposal outline

Grant proposal: [PROJECT NAME]

Submitted to: [FUNDER NAME]

Submitted by: [ORGANIZATION NAME], [ADDRESS], EIN [NUMBER]

Contact: [NAME, TITLE, EMAIL, PHONE]

Amount requested: $[AMOUNT] for [PERIOD]

Date: [DATE]

Cover letter

[On your letterhead, one page, signed by your executive director or board chair.]

Dear [NAME]:

[ORGANIZATION NAME] respectfully requests $[AMOUNT] to support [PROJECT NAME], which will [WHAT IT WILL DO, IN ONE SENTENCE].

[One short paragraph on how the project furthers the funder's mission or priorities.]

[Mention your most recent contact with the funder, for example: "Thank you for speaking with me on [DATE] and for inviting this proposal."]

Enclosed are our proposal, budget and the attachments you requested. Please contact [NAME] at [EMAIL OR PHONE] with any questions.

Sincerely,

[NAME], [TITLE]

1. Executive summary

[Half a page at most. In this order:]

• The problem: [one or two sentences about the need in your community]
• The solution: [what the project will do, for whom, where and when]
• The request: $[AMOUNT] of a total project budget of $[AMOUNT], for [PERIOD]
• Why us: [one or two sentences on your organization's experience and track record]

2. Statement of need

[About one page. Describe the problem the project addresses, in the community, not inside your organization.]

• Who is affected, and how many: [FACTS, WITH THEIR SOURCES]
• What happens if nothing changes: [DESCRIPTION]
• What's already being done, and the gap that remains: [DESCRIPTION]
• A short, real story or quote, used with permission: [STORY]

3. Project description

Goals and objectives

• Goal: [THE BROAD CHANGE YOU WANT]
• Objectives: [SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE RESULTS, FOR EXAMPLE "60 students complete the program by June"]

Activities and timeline

Staffing, partners and resources

[Who will do the work, any partner organizations and their roles, and the materials or space you'll use.]

Evaluation

How you'll know whether the project worked: what you'll measure, how, how often, and how you'll use what you learn. Our guide to [measuring impact can help.]

• Outputs (what you'll do): [FOR EXAMPLE, NUMBER OF SESSIONS HELD]
• Outcomes (what will change): [FOR EXAMPLE, SKILLS GAINED, MEASURED BEFORE AND AFTER]

Sustainability

[How the project will continue after this grant ends: other funders, earned income, partners, or how it becomes part of your regular work.]

4. About our organization

[About one page.]

• Mission: [YOUR MISSION STATEMENT]
• History: [WHEN FOUNDED AND WHY, IN TWO OR THREE SENTENCES]
• Programs and people served: [BRIEF DESCRIPTION, WITH NUMBERS IF YOU HAVE THEM]
• Staff and board: [SIZE, AND KEY PEOPLE FOR THIS PROJECT]
• Track record: [ONE OR TWO RESULTS FROM PAST WORK]

5. Conclusion

[Two short paragraphs: your vision for the project's long-term impact, and a final sentence restating why it matters now. Thank the funder for past support if you've had it. For a new funder, say again how the project fits its priorities.]

6. Budget

[Attach the project budget, showing project income and project expenses for the grant period. Use the funder's form if it has one. Make sure every figure in the narrative matches.]

• Total project budget: $[AMOUNT]
• Amount requested from [FUNDER NAME]: $[AMOUNT]
• Other funding secured or requested: [SOURCES AND AMOUNTS]

[Add a short budget narrative explaining any line that isn't obvious.]

7. Attachments

[Include only what the funder asks for. Commonly requested:]

1. IRS determination letter showing 501(c)(3) status
2. Most recent financial statements or audit
3. Most recent Form 990
4. Current organizational budget
5. List of board members and their affiliations
6. [OTHER DOCUMENTS THE FUNDER REQUESTS]