Grant Seeking Module 4 – Basic Elements of a Proposal

Developed by Rebecca White, Ph.D.Organization Development and EvaluationLSU AgCenter – Cooperative Extension

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Print out materials for Module 4 – Basic Elements of a Grant

4.1. Organizational Background and Mission Examples

4.2. Project Goals Worksheet

4.3. Project Objectives Worksheet

Grant SeekingModule 1 – Getting Started

Module 2 – Creating a Program Logic Model

Module 3 – Identifying Potential Funders

Module 4 – Basic Elements of a Grant

Module 5 – Developing a Grant Budget

Module 6 – LSU AgCenter Grant Protocol

Grant Seeking Training Series Goal and Objectives

GOAL – Participants to attain the knowledge, skill and confidence to develop a grant proposal

OBJECTIVES – Participants gain knowledge of:Strategies to start developing a grant proposal

Basic components of a grant proposal

Ways to find potential grant funders

LSU AgCenter Grant Protocol

Organizational Impact Desired

Agents receive funding and implement projects

that foster clientele’s growth, development

and improved quality of life.

Basic Elements of a Grant Proposal

Introduction

Mission & Background

Statement of Need

Project Description

Funding Request & Budget

Conclusion

Introduction

Briefly DescribeLSU AgCenter and Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service

Purpose of proposal

Requested amount

Be short and succinct

Introduction Example

The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service is the public service

arm of the LSU Agricultural Center and has been serving people

for a century. Our mission is to help the people of Louisiana

improve their lives through an educational process that uses

research-based knowledge focused on issues and needs. Our

goal is to promote positive behavioral changes in people through

informal education programs. The Little Bookshelf Program is

designed to help parents read routinely to their child from birth.

Parents of newborns receive 12 children’s books, a small

bookshelf and positive parenting information. The purpose of this

proposal is to request $20,000 to provide program resources for

400 low-income parents of newborns in the greater Baton Rouge

area.

Mission & Background

LCES mission

LCES goals

Explain how Extension got to where it is now

Mission and Background Example

The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service serves the people of Louisiana by helping them improve their lives through community-based, informal education programs. All Extension programs are based on research and focused on relevant issues and needs. We provide educational program to families, 4-H youth, homeowners, farmers and agriculture-related businesses.

Mission and Background ExampleThe LSU Agricultural Center is one of 10 institutions within the Louisiana State University System. Its primary functions are to serve the people of Louisiana through education and research through the operation of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service is the public service arm of the LSU Agricultural Center and extends the knowledge derived from research to the people of the state. Its mission is to help the people of Louisiana improve their lives through an educational process that uses research-based information focused on issues and needs. Positive behavioral change in people is promoted through informal education programs offered in communities throughout Louisiana.

Need Statement

Explanation of need

Research about need

Use statistics

Use testimonies

Project Description

1. Explain your idea to address the need

2. Describe idea uniqueness

3. Highlight why funder is a good fit for project

4. Include a project timeline

5. Cover what you hope to accomplish (goals, objectives, outcomes, impacts)

6. Describe how you will evaluate

Program Description –Developing Goals and Objectives

USUALLY, GOALS ARE:Broad

General intentions

Intangible

Abstract

Generally difficult to measure

USUALLY, OBJECTIVES ARE:Narrow

Precise

Tangible

Concrete

Measurable

Goals are overarching principles that guide decision making.

Objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely steps that can be taken to meet the goal.

Developing Program GoalsEffective program goal statements have three key components. They include a phrase about doing something (using an active verb), describe among whom or with what, and indicate where.

The template for an program goal is:

To (do something/using active verb) + (among whom) + (where).

Example: To increase service learning participation of 4-H youth in XYZ Parish.

Developing SMART Objectives

Use Active Verbs when writing SMART Objectives

• Change

• Complete

• Demonstrate

• Increase

• Identify

• List

• Name

• Recognize

• Specify

• Adopt

• Apply

• Complete

• Demonstrate

• Establish

• Initiate

• Produce

• Show

• Use

For Short Term Outcomes For Medium Term Outcomes

Examples of SMART ObjectivesA template you can use to develop a program objective is:

(When change will occur) + (Who/what will be impacted)

+ (How much change occurs) + (What will change)

Example:

Goal: To establish a Master Gardener Program for residents in XYZ Parish.

Objective: In 2014-15, of forty (40) or more local gardeners participating in XYZ Parish Master Gardener Training Program, 85% will increase their level of knowledge in home horticulture at least 10%.

Request for Funding and Budget

State your funding request

Be specific, explain how funds will be used

Describe projected project budget

Explain where their funds fit in the budget

BE SPECIFIC AND DETAILED

Request should be reasonable

Conclusion

Concise summary

Highlight benefits of partnership

Include thank you for opportunity

Mention you will follow-up soon

Refine Your ProposalReview grant requirements, check for adherence

Carefully re-read entire proposal looking for errors, inconsistencies and awkward phrasing

Spell and grammar check

Have another person read and suggest edits

In summary

Basic Elements of a ProposalIntroduction

Mission & Background

Statement of Need

Project Description

Request for Funding & Budget

Conclusion

Grant Seeking - Module 4 – Basic Elements of a GrantBrought to you by:

Rebecca White, Ph.D.

Organization Development and Evaluation

LSU AgCenter