Proposal Format

Grant proposals should ideally address items 1-7 below. The statements and questions listed for each of these items are only intended as an outline of expected content. Please remember to include as attachments the four items listed for #8 below with your proposal submission.

This brief transmittal letter should highlight and summarize the most important aspects of the proposal. It should be signed by an agency official with authority to commit the applicant to the proposed project or activity.

Tell us about your organization, its history and development, its mission, and the things that make it unique. What are your major accomplishments, as well as hopes and dreams for the future?

Tell us about the project you are proposing. Why is it important to your organization? Why are you doing it now?

What do you want to accomplish with this project? What will be different when the project is completed? What is the lasting value of the project beyond the life of the requested grant? How will you know you have accomplished what you set out to do? What specific measures will you use to gauge success? How many people are expected to benefit from this project?

How will the goals and objectives you specified be accomplished? What major steps or milestones have you identified for completing this project? What is the timeline for this project?

How much will this project cost in total, and how will the money be spent? How much is being requested from the Dewan Foundation? On what specific items will the requested grant be spent?

What are the resources and capabilities that your organization brings to this project? Tell us about the people who will be responsible for operating this project, their credentials and experience.

The following items are required with your proposal:

• Contact name, address, phone, fax or E-mail
• Proof of IRS tax-exempt status
• List of Board of Directors names and their affiliations
• Most recent annual financial statement (from audit or annual report)