Overview

Reviewers evaluate proposals on two levels: the strength of the idea and the capacity to execute it. Your organizational section addresses the second question directly. It shows whether you have the leadership, structure, and operational foundation to deliver what you've outlined.

This section translates credibility into evidence. It introduces the people doing the work, establishes your track record, and provides documentation that reviewers can verify. When this section is strong, reviewers move forward with confidence that their investment will be managed responsibly.

Organizational Overview

Your organizational overview gives reviewers a grounded picture of who you are and how you operate. It answers basic questions about your foundation, your work, and your capacity.

Include:

Formation and mission
When you were founded and the purpose guiding your work

What you deliver
The products, services, or programs that define your operations

Who you serve
The customers or communities at the center of your work

Track record
Outcomes you've achieved that demonstrate progress, traction, or growth

Operational capacity
Systems, partnerships, or resources that strengthen your ability to execute

Write this section factually. The goal is to demonstrate that your organization has a clear purpose and the infrastructure to execute the proposed work reliably.

Team Strengths

Introduce the people responsible for executing the project. Reviewers evaluate whether your team has the experience, skills, and structure to deliver on schedule and within scope.

For each key team member, include:

• Name and role — What they're responsible for in this project

• Relevant experience — Background that directly relates to the proposed work

• Qualifications — Skills, certifications, or accomplishments that strengthen credibility

• Availability — Whether they're full-time, part-time, or contracted for this project

Provide a focused snapshot of capability. Full biographies belong in the appendix. This section highlights the expertise that ensures consistent, skilled execution.

Team structure also matters. If your project involves collaboration across departments, partnerships with external organizations, or advisory support, explain how roles are coordinated. Reviewers look for clear responsibilities and thoughtful distribution of accountability.

Appendices: Documentation That Backs Your Case

The appendix holds materials that support your proposal. These documents allow reviewers to verify claims, assess depth of preparation, and evaluate credibility.

Common appendix materials:

📄 Staff bios or resumes
One-page summaries for key personnel

📄 Letters of support
Formal endorsements from partners, community organizations, or advisory board members

📄 Financial statements
Recent balance sheets, income statements, or audit reports demonstrating fiscal health

📄 Organizational charts
Visual representation of team structure and reporting relationships

📄 Work samples or case studies
Examples of past projects, pilot results, or program outcomes

📄 Supplementary research or data
Studies, reports, or datasets referenced in your proposal

📄 Licenses, certifications, or registrations
Documentation proving compliance or qualifications

Key principle: Include materials that reinforce something already mentioned in your proposal. Each document should support a claim, demonstrate capacity, or verify an outcome that matters to the reviewer.

What Makes This Section Strong

Specificity strengthens credibility
"Our team has 15 years of combined experience in energy management" carries less weight than "Our lead engineer designed demand-response systems for three municipal utilities serving 200,000+ residents."

Evidence validates assertions
Include letters confirming partnerships rather than simply claiming relationships exist.

Relevance outweighs volume
A focused two-page organizational section with three well-chosen appendix items performs better than a five-page history with ten unrelated documents.

Reviewers move through dozens of proposals. Make it easy for them to find what they need and verify what you're claiming.

What's Next

The next module focuses on impact documentation. You'll learn how to capture, organize, and present the outcomes that prove your work creates measurable value, which becomes evidence that strengthens every proposal you write.