Questions To Answer When Seeking a Grant

What precisely is the problem I am trying to solve?
Which college, student or community need does the program address? How does the program improve the quality of life in the college or the wider community? Include background and dimensions of the problem.

How severe is the need (or the gap) being addressed?
Can the need be quantified? Can the need be demonstrated at the local level? What data do I have to back up my assessment of the problem’s magnitude?

What is the key purpose of the program?
Is the program an enhancement, an expansion, or a new direction for an existing operation? Does the program have the full commitment of the college and its leadership? Why is a community college the logical place for this program to be housed?

What is my target group or population that will be helped by this program?
Can I demonstrate that my program is appropriate to the demographic characteristics of this population? Is the community or constituency affected by the program involved in the planning?

What is the existing research on this topic?
Does it support my plan or idea? What other programs exist that are similar to the one I am planning? Have they been successful? Have exemplary practices for model programs been determined? How are these reflected in the program plan?

Are there related college projects and activities currently in place?
What are the major achievements, with emphasis on the last two years?

Does my program have the support of the community?
Will local schools, businesses, charities and other organizations volunteer their support and involvement? To what extent does the program plan reflect collaboration and the support of partnerships? To what extent do advisory and governing boards take part in policy formulation and program development? Are there any related programs upon which my program could build (collaboration)? Note: Funding agencies tend to favor projects that form an integrated part of a larger community effort.

What are the specific goals and desired outcomes of this program?
Do they correspond closely with the stated problems the program is meant to solve? Make a table that matches needs with outcomes.

How is the program to be implemented?
What are the activities and timeline? Do I have a thorough management plan?

Who will carry out the program (principal participants)?
How will responsibilities be divided? What are the staff requirements/qualifications? Is the expertise needed for the program available among college personnel? Will additional staff be required to implement/complete the program? Who will be responsible for keeping the project on time and within budget?

Will the program make a difference?
What is the difference (outcome)? How long do you think the program will take to show outcomes? What are the short term (usually 1 to 3 years) and long term (usually more than 3 years) benefits that you can expect from the program being implemented?

How will I measure the success or effects of the program?
Do I have benchmark data to show the “before” situation to compare to the “after” situation? How will an objective evaluation be determined? Who will have that responsibility?

What are my best sources of funding?
Which government agencies or private foundations support projects like mine and what projects did they fund last year? Will a funding mix be sought from local groups, government, foundations, etc.?

What is my desired budget?
Specifically, how will it be spent? What will be the college’s financial contribution to the program?

What plans do you have for continued funding?
Is there any other support for this program, or for other programs intended to address the same problem? Funding agencies typically want to see that the community is willing to invest its own resources in solving some aspect of the problem. This indicates that the project is sustainable.

 

Sources included:
Brumbach, Mary A., Ph.D., CFRE. “The Science and Art of Community College Proposal Writing: Keys to Crafting Effective Proposals to Public and Private Funders.” Council for Resource Development New Century Series Resource Paper #2. (August 2001).

Connor, Ann N., Grant Consultant, San Antonio, TX. “13 Questions To Answer Before Seeking A Grant.” Successful Fund Raising. Volume X, No.8, (August 2002).