Overview

A grant proposal brings your project into focus. Each section serves a specific purpose, and together they form a complete picture of your work, your plan, and the outcomes you're positioned to deliver.

Proposal Components

📄 Title Page
Names your project, your organization, key contacts, and the date. It establishes the basic identifiers that funders reference throughout review.

📋 Executive Summary
Offers a concise overview of your project: the purpose, the requested funding amount, and why your organization is positioned to execute the work.

🔍 Needs Statement
Defines the problem or need your project addresses. This section is grounded in evidence, lived experience, or context that shows the urgency and weight of the issue.

🎯 Goals and Objectives
Clarifies what you plan to achieve. Goals describe broad intentions. Objectives outline measurable steps or outcomes tied to the project's success.

⚙️ Methods or Approach
Details the activities, timeline, and structure of your project. This is where you explain how the work will be carried out and who will be responsible for each phase.

💰 Budget
Outlines the financial requirements of the project. It includes line items such as labor, materials, travel, indirect costs, and other anticipated expenses.

📊 Evaluation
Describes how you will measure progress and outcomes. It specifies metrics, data collection processes, and how you will assess the success of the project.

♻️ Sustainability
Explains what continues beyond the grant period. Funders want to know how the project or its results will have lasting impact.

🏢 Organization Information
Provides key background: mission, leadership, team capacity, partnerships, and past achievements relevant to the project.

📎 Appendix
Includes supporting documents such as letters of support, charts, photos, timelines, bios, or additional materials that strengthen credibility.

What's Next

The next lesson builds on this foundation by helping you shape the narrative that brings these components to life and applying storytelling psychology to your proposal.