Getting Started

Start Early
First, allow sufficient lead time.  You should be looking for funding six months to a year before your project begins. OGSP needs five days advance notice before a deadline to prepare and route your paperwork.

Find the Right Funder
 By referring back to our Search Databases chart, you will be able to find the right funding fit for your project. Please call at x1242 if you have any questions about using these resources. 

Put a Strong Project Plan in Place
 A strong proposal is not possible without a strong project plan.  A project plan should include elements such as needs assessment, goals and timeline, assessment of resources, and evaluation.  These elements of the project plan will then become portions of your written proposal -- See Sections of a Proposal on "Proposal Template".

OGSP Words of Wisdom

There Are No Tricks

Funders want meritorious projects that:

  • meet their needs and priorities

  • are carefully planned

  • have a good chance at success

  • demonstrate wider application and sustainability

  • are well described (avoid jargon)

Demonstrate Competency

  • Communicate your qualifications

  • Outline your differences from or collaboration with others in your field if appropriate

  • Summarize organizational capacity and history

  • Cite appropriate references

  • Include a literature review if appropriate for your field

Follow Directions

  • Don't exceed page length.  Use the requested font and type size, margins and attachments

  • Don't say "See Attached."  Provide all materials requested where requested

  • To structure your proposal, follow the headings/outline in the funder's guidelines

Fit Funder Priorities

  • Read guidelines with a fine-toothed comb

  • Incorporate the funder's language

  • Your project matches their priorities in terms of geographic region, scope, target population and goals

  • Review annual reports, program guidelines and samples of past funded projects

Think "IMPACT"

  • Your project meets community needs, not your own

  • Prepare a reasonable budget (don't get greedy)

  • Show sustainability

  • Is this a solution that can be used by other organizations, or that makes a significant contribution to your field?

  • Think about evaluating measurable outcomes

  • Start early, usually six months to one year in advance

     

Last Modified: May 5, 2009