A. Summary - no more than 1 page (less is better)
B. Background and Significance of Project
C. Goals and Objectives (What do you plan to accomplish?)
D. Planned Activities (include a time line for accomplishing major activities)
E. Resources (staff and physical capabilities)
F. Evaluation Plan (to determine whether you have accomplished your objectives)
G. Budget (cover all aspects of the work and be realistic)
H. Appendices (these usually include letters of support and resumes of key personnel)

Cost Sharing: Many sponsors are willing to fund a portion of the cost of the project, and want the applicant to come up with money or other resources to accomplish the rest of the project. Other resources (or "in kind" contributions) may include such items as staff or volunteer time spent on the project, equipment/materials, or space. Cost sharing may come from other sponsors. Some projects may receive a donation from a local business or community foundation if the employees or citizens either partake in, or are invited to attend, an event. Be resourceful!

Significance: It is especially important to show how someone will benefit from this work, and how this project is unique, innovative, or fills a gap. If work similar to your's exists, acknowledge it and explain how your work is different, better, or serves other constituencies.

Expertise: is important to all grant proposals. You need to show that you are well-qualified (with your training and experience) to accomplish your objectives. In the case of interdisciplinary work, the sponsor assumes that more than one expert will be involved in key staff roles. Frequently applications are strengthened when outside expertise is brought in for a portion of the work, e.g., evaluation, technical assistance, community involvement. These positions should be part of the budget, either as consultants or staff.

Dissemination: is also an important way to share your work with the public. If the sponsor includes dissemination in its evaluation criteria, be sure to make it a specific objective of the project, and include these activities in the budget.

Planned Activities: The planned activities, or work plan, section describes when, where, and how your objectives will be met. You will want to describe:

• the sequence of activities you will perform in order to accomplish your objectives
• a rationalization for your plans if you have selected among options
• the major responsibilities of the key participants
• a time line with major accomplishments scheduled
• a management plan, if appropriate
• a description of how other groups will collaborate
• a discussion of anticipated roadblocks, and how you will deal with them

Peer Evaluation: Share your proposal draft with peers for evaluation. Ask them for feedback about your ideas, and about the clarity and readability of the text.

Chances for Funding: Remember that most grant applications do not get funded the first time around. Usually, the applicant will receive feedback from the sponsor about the initial, unsuccessful attempt, along with an offer to revise and resubmit the proposal. If your sponsor has not sent you a written evaluation report, do not hesitate to call the Program Officer to discuss why you did not get funded, and what you might do to improve your chances at another time.