Steps to Writing 1

Steps to Writing a Grant Proposal Kelli Semkin University of Phoenix

Steps to Writing 2 Steps to Writing a Grant Proposal My chosen scenario for this course is the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency. This is located in Portland, which is a larger metropolitan area that has been experiencing an increase in the reporting of such complaints as; child abuse, spousal abuse, assaults, domestic and youth violence, and even road rage incidents over the past 5 years. The organization mission states: PEACEs mission is to reduce victim trauma, empower survivors, and promote recovery through direct services. PEACE is committed to reducing the incidence of sexual assault and domestic violence through education and strives to challenge societal norms and beliefs that condone and perpetuate violence in the community. This foundation has two separate grant programs under which it operates: The small grants program offers one-time grants of up to $5,000 to registered charities that have an annual budget of $500,000 or less. The investor program is an innovative program designed to support six organizations under each of the objectives of the Supporting Families Program, with up to $150,000 a year for up to 3 years. In order to address the problems of the Portland community, grant proposals for the organization, grants must be written. Writing a grant is a bit different than writing a story, but, may be similar to writing a presentation for the company. There are several steps involved in the writing of a grant proposal which include the following list: 1.Abstract- 45 line maximum. 2.Table of contents- 2 page maximum. 3.Specific Aims- (needs, problems, objectives of the program, etc.)- 3 page maximum. 4.Target population- 2 page maximum.

Steps to Writing 3 5.Approaches and methods- 3 page maximum. 6.Evaluation plan- 3 pages maximum. 7.Agency capacity and Project management- 3 page maximum. 8.Budget and budget justification- 3 page maximum. 9.Community support- no page limit. 10. References and appendices- no page limits. The abstract also acts as the summary of the proposal. This is the shortest section involved in the writing of a grant proposal; however it is also the most important part of it as well. This is the part that will be read over several times throughout the grant process. The abstract most generally entails: 1. Name of the agency

2. Type of organization 3. Purpose and objectives of the project 4. Specific interventions for the project 5. Target population 6. Location and setting of the project 7. Relevance of the proposed project to the funding intentions We then have the table of contents which provides the reader of the proposal a map per say as to how the proposal is going to be laid out and lets them know which section contains which information. This is a section that will basically be a rough draft until the proposal is put together and everything is in order. Next would be the specific aims section of the proposal. This section can also be known as, or, referred to as the needs and problem statement, the background and significance, or the literature

Steps to Writing 4 review. This is where the grant writer of the applying agency presents their case. This states what and why of the agency. What the agency does for the community, and why they are proposing such a project, also would show the proposed interventions to the problem at hand. The next step in the grant writing process is defining the target population for the proposal and the organization. These would be the people afflicted by the problem first hand as well as the community to be educated on prevention and warning signs. Approaches and methods, this section is the section that will describe the interventions or solutions intended to bring change to the community. This section can be pretty long and therefore may require an introductory and a summary. The evaluation plan assesses the achievement and success of the intended functions of the program. The evaluation plan will allow the funding source receiving the proposal to determine whether or not they believe this to be a successful program worthy of assistance. Agency capacity and project management; the agency capacity can be found by reading the mission statement and by reviewing the history and accomplishments of the program. Project management can be shown by including the resumes of the staff involved and any history of accomplishments. It is also a good idea to include the fiscal statement when showing the agency capacity. Budget and budget justification; the budget for the organization will show the incoming revenue and the outgoing revenue. An organization needs to show they can operate within the limits of their budget as well as be able to justify the funding spent. Community support would be shown in the proposal as well. After all what are the chances of the organization being successful if it does not have the support of the community it is intending to help.

Steps to Writing 5 Lastly, the appendices and the references would be added. This will show the reader where the information was found and can be researched for authenticity. The following is a sample of a needs and problem statement for the PEACE domestic violence program. The metropolitan area of Portland has had an increasing number of reports of violence both domestic and youth related. The community background and the situations the youth are being brought up in, are becoming more harmful to the community. The lack of education as to warning signs of violence can possibly hinder a resolution to the problem. The target population besides the educating of the community is also those afflicted. These age ranges vary from early childhood into adulthood. This is where we begin to see the youth violence turn to domestic violence. Now that we have addressed the problem in the community let us now move on to the needs. Our objectives here at the PEACE Domestic Violence agency are to promote the well being of young men, women, and children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence already and to reduce the chances of domestic violence in their future by way of education, increased service provisions, and awareness. As well as to improve the quality of life of the families that have a member, or even multiple members of the family incarcerated through provision of services responsive to their needs. Also to provide the young people that are currently or have previously been involved with the criminal justice system, with a rehabilitation program designed to obtain the skills, confidence and personal support networks that will help them to live full and successful lives in the future. It is our hope to have the necessary funding to accomplish such objectives for our community.

Steps to Writing 6 References Barker, R. (Ed.). (1999). The social work dictionary (4th ed.). Washington, DC: NASW Press. Coley, S., & Scheinberg, C. (1990). Proposal writing. Newbury, CA: Sage. Practical Grant Writing and Program Evaluation, Yuen/Terao - 2003 Brooks/Cole Chapter 3, Grant Proposal: A Written Proposal Plan