PROPOSAL SAMPLE #1 GENERAL OPERATING REQUEST

AMERICAN AIRLINES GLOBAL GIVING

This proposal respectfully requests a grant of $20,000 from the American Airlines Global
Giving Foundation in support of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute for general operating
support. Located in Wheaton, Illinois, the Humanitarian Disaster Institute is a college-wide
interdisciplinary research center at Wheaton College dedicated to helping the vulnerable and
underserved domestically and internationally, across a wide spectrum of relief and development
challenges. HDI is the first faith-based academic disaster research center in the country.
HDI studies a wide spectrum of disasters and humanitarian challenges, as well as their
impacts domestically and internationally. HDI conducts basic and applied research to support
novel and innovative humanitarian disaster resources, tools, interventions, and to inform public
policy. Such a grant would help support the following key areas:

Research

We conduct applied and basic research to assist and empower communities affected by disasters
and humanitarian crises.

Training and Education

We provide training and education to enhance public and professional awareness and
competence to prepare for and respond to disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

Technical Assistance

We provide technical assistance in evaluation research, impact studies, knowledge transfer,

quality improvement, and capacity building.

Research Focus

HDI studies a diverse range of humanitarian disaster issues, from natural disasters to
armed conflicts. HDI researchers also conduct research across the life-cycle of humanitarian
disasters, from pre-event vulnerabilities to post-event community recovery and development.
HDIs areas of humanitarian disaster research expertise include: mental health, public health,
ministry, political and international relations, relief and development, health economics, and
urban and environmental policy.
HDI holds to the ideal that if research is to make a difference, it must be communicated.
HDI is committed disseminating research findings in useful ways to public, religious, policy, and
scientific communities. HDI researchers share their findings through publications (e.g., articles,
books, briefings), presentations (e.g., professional and community presentations), and resources
(e.g., technology tools). From grassroots leaders to policy and decision makers, HDI strives to
equip the church and society with the latest knowledge and findings available to improve
understanding and to mobilize responses to humanitarian disasters.

Project Management and Technical Assistance

HDI partners with other organizations to provide academic and/or research skills to
support or extend the capabilities of partners. For example, HDI partners on proposals to federal
agencies where HDI provides monitoring, evaluation, data collection and analysis, and related
technical skills.
Technical assistance means working with a partner to refine or improve a program or
service, incorporate evidence into design of a program, or provide external validation of program
benefits. HDI partners with a variety of private and public organizations, including local, state

and federal agencies, private and academic research organizations, and humanitarian and disaster
relief organizations.
HDI is available to provide a wide range of services to assist organizations and
communities in fostering capacity building. Examples of HDI capacity building services include:
1) Consultation (in-person or distance); 2) Speaking bureau; 3) Preparedness planning; 4)
Program development, evaluation, and assessment; 5) Quality assurance, and 6) Tailored
trainings and curriculum development.

Current Domestic Projects

Congregational Preparedness Case Studies

HDI is currently conducting a series of case studies with faith communities from around

the Chicago area and throughout Illinois in areas that have been affected by disasters over the
last few years. We are conducting and writing up these case studies using exemplars who have
established disaster ministries. We are also conducting case studies with congregations at various
stages of development, from contemplating getting started to those early in development, and
will document their development over time. These case studies will be posted to and available on
the HDI website once they complete editing.

Faith-based Resilience Program for DuPage County Refugee Families

HDI received a grant from the Grainger Company and is collaborating with World Relief-

DuPage to develop a resilience care program for refugee families living in the greater Chicago
area. This program will help faith communities learn how to better care for vulnerable refugee
families and promote disaster risk reduction. Together, a task force has been formed, and HDI is

working to develop a training curriculum that will help faith communities enhance refugee
family resilience and reduce disaster vulnerabilities.

Fatalities and Old Age following the Tuscaloosa Tornado

In collaboration with the University of Alabama Medical School Center for Aging, HDI is

studying risk factors that place elderly at risk during disasters and to develop guidelines and
strategies for helping the church better prepare for and care for the elderly in times of crisis. On
April 27, 2011, an EF4 tornado struck Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Reports of the tornado striking a
mid-size city with approximately 91,000 residents raised concerns among First Responders about
mass casualties and fatalities. We found that a disproportionate amount of fatalities occurred
among Tuscaloosa Citys older residents. Older female residents experienced the majority of the
deaths because of female to male life expectancies, which suggest older females are particularly
at risk of experiencing fatal injury during disasters. Because religion and spirituality are
important aspects in the lives of many older adults, we are working on recommendations for
federal, state, and local governments on how to work with congregations and other religious
entities to ensure the oldest residents of our communities are safe and secure in the event of a
disaster. We are also collaborating to develop tools and resources to enhance congregations
ability to better care for elderly in the wake of disasters based on this research.

Assessment
The local, domestic and international programs are managed carefully through both codirectors, Dr. Jamie Aten and Dr. David Boan. Dr. Aten received his PhD in Counseling

Psychology from Indiana State University. He is the Rech Endowed Chair & Associate Professor
of Psychology, Wheaton College. Previously he was an Assistant Professor of Psychology,
Department of Psychology, and Assistant Director-Health and Mental Health, Katrina Research
Center, University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Boan received his PhD in clinical psychology
from Biola University Rosemead School of Psychology. He has extensive experience in
healthcare quality and safety, public health, and capacity building as the vice president for
research and development for the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care (Maryland) and
Executive Director for Innovation, Joint Commission Resources and Joint Commission
International. The programs that the HDI directors have lead previously have been extremely
successful and have greatly benefitted the community they are in. The grant of $20,000 from
American Airlines would be significant in helping the general operating support of research,
training, education, and technical assistance. It would also help support HDIs annual Disaster
Ministry Conference and Workshop.