program planning

Five factors determine the success of a grant proposal:

• The credentials of the applicant organization

• The need for services

• The usefulness and innovation of the project

• The fit of the grantmaker with the project

• The grant writer's ability to describe the project

The best proposals depict well-defined programs with time-framed plans of action. Before beginning to research funders or writing the proposal, determine what need exists and what the best method is for meeting the need. Talk to colleagues about how to address the need and enlist their help in reviewing the proposal. If you have a very concrete idea of what your organization is going to do and how it will serve the community, the proposal will have a much better chance of being funded.