A workbook for writing the project proposal. The proposal workbook develops the project idea, the budget, the schedule, the resources, and builds internal and external support for the project.

1. Grant Writing:
Project Proposal Work Book
Proposal Title: ____________________________
Organization: _____________________________
Mailing Address:____________________________
Physical Address:___________________________
Proposal Writer:____________________________
Date Started: _____________________________
Targeted Completion Date:___________________

2. Grant Proposal Work Book
Organization _________________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Contents: Grant Proposal Worksheets
Step 1: Describe the Grant Proposal
Step 2: Write the Project Proposal Letter
Step 3: Preliminary Project Proposal Questions
Step 4: Building Project Support and Getting Buy-in
Step 5: Resource Planning
Step 6: Selling Your Project Proposal
Step 7: Building External Support
Step 8: Proposal Checklist Worksheet for Strategic Leadership of Proposals

3. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 1: Describe the Grant Proposal
Who am I (Organization ______________________________/Division/Program)?
What is my project?
Why do I need the money?
When do I need the money?
Who will benefit?
Who will implement the project?
Where will the funds be directed?

4. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 2: Write the Project Proposal Letter
Ask for the funding: Begin with reference to your prior contact with the funder, if any.
Clearly and concisely state why you are writing and how much funding is required of this
funder.
Describe the need: Clearly, concisely and specifically tell the funder why there is a
need.
Explain what you will do: Describe precisely what will take place as a result of the
funding. Provide just enough detail to get the funder's interest.
Provide program/division/ORGANIZATION data: Include your mission statement,
brief description of your program, number of people served, and staff, volunteer and
board data, if appropriate.
Close: Connect your proposal and mission to the funder's mission and interest. Tell how
the proposal outcomes will serve your program and the funder's interests.
Attachments:
Budget - Show the total cost of the project. Include future funding only if the
absence of the information will raise questions.
Board List - provided by ORGANIZATION.
IRS Determination Letter - provided by ORGANIZATION
Financial Documentation - provided by ORGANIZATION
Brief Bios of Key Staff - include only project related education and experience.

5. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 3: Preliminary Project Proposal Questions
What resources will you need if funded?
What capabilities do you or your program/division/ORGANIZATION already have?
List program/division/ORGANIZATION support for writing and implementing the
project proposal.
List additional support, if any, for writing and implementing the project proposal.

6. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 4: Building Project Support and Getting Buy-in
Identify two or three related major organizational challenges/problems your
program/division/ORGANIZATION is currently facing.
Describe how your project/idea relates to or helps resolve these challenges/problems.
Who in your program/division/ORGANIZATION is needed on your proposal
development team?
What can these people contribute to developing the project proposal?
What role will each person have if the project gets funded?

7. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 5: Resource Planning for Writing the Project Proposal
Available Resources:
People: List and describe people with special knowledge, skills, and
experience
with similar projects.
Facilities: List and describe available needed facilities.
Equipment: List and describe available needed equipment.
Needed Resources:
People: List and describe people you need to write and implement your proposal.
Facilities: List and describe facilities you need to write and implement your
proposal.
Equipment: List and describe equipment you need to write and implement your
proposal.
Who in your program/division/ORGANIZATION is needed on your proposal
development team?
What can these people contribute to developing the project proposal?
What role will each person have if the project gets funded?
What is the evaluation plan?

8. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 6: Selling Your Project Proposal
Tell how and why your proposal/idea is unique:
Tell how and why your proposal/idea is timely:
Tell how and why your proposal/idea is urgent:
Tell how and why your proposal/idea is compelling:
Tell how your implemented proposal/idea will capitalize on your
program/division/ORGANIZATION strengths:
Tell how your implemented proposal/idea will capitalize on the funder's
interests/mission/strengths:
Tell how your implemented proposal/idea will address your
program/division/ORGANIZATION weaknesses/problems/challenges:

9. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 7: Building External Support
Networking: List organizations/funders/program officers with shared interests in your
proposal outcomes/impact.
Personal Contacts: List contacts you have and need to have.
Meetings and Conferences: List meetings and conferences to attend where you can meet
and talk with people with shared interests and experience about your proposal/idea.
Collaborating People and Organizations: List organizations and contact people.
Initial Contact: List and provide contact information for initial contacts.
(First contact should be by phone, then letter, email, and visit.)
Benefits of Collaboration: List the advantages to these organizations of working
with you and your program/division/ORGANIZATION on your proposal/idea.

10. Grant Proposal Worksheets
Organization ______________________________
Mailing Address ______________________________
Physical Address ______________________________
Step 8: Proposal Checklist Worksheet for Strategic Leadership of Proposals
1. Confirm Strategic Need by using current year
program/division/ORGANIZATION planning process documentation.
2. Draft initial proposal/idea.
3. Assess your program/division/ORGANIZATION capability.
4. Assess the need for the proposal/idea.
5. Select the funding source(s) for the proposal/idea.
6. Plan the proposal.
7. Write the proposal.
8. Submit the proposal.
9. Implement the proposal.
10. Manage and document the implementation.
11. Evaluate the implementation.
Impact in benefits to the Target Population
Financial documents (budget, invoices)
Personnel documents (time, salary, benefits)
Proposal checklist (goals compared to outcomes)
Executive Summary of implementation, benefits, and transitions, if any.

11. Mitchell W. Manning Sr.
P.O. Box 635, 600 Dell Street
Robersonville, North Carolina 27871
Phone: (252)-795-3560
Cell: (252)-714-3481
Email: MitchellWManning@aol.com
Mitch has written, managed, and audited grants for business, education, and healthcare.
His return on investment (ROI) for grant writing is greater than 10 to 1.
Mitch is a high-energy, business driven and customer focused professional with broad
experience in quality systems improvement, assessment, analysis, and strategic
planning in business, government, education, healthcare, and professional association
environments. He delights in achieving organizational improvement through people by
enhancing their development, involvement, and contributions to team success.
Links to Mitch are:
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=19900968&locale=en_US&trk=tab_pro
MindRead.net http://mindread.net/advisors.html