This Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal was created to help empower people to be successful in gaining funds for projects that provide worthwhile social service. A major theme that runs throughout the Guide is a concern for the development of meaningful cooperative relationships - with funding agencies, with community organizations, and with the people you are serving - as a basis for the development of strong fundable initiatives. The Guide is built on the assumption that it is through collaboration and participation at all levels that long term change can be effected.

To make this Guide as useful as possible, all suggestions have been carefully reviewed with a concern that they be easy to implement and can have the greatest positive effect on the creation of a funding proposal. (This is the same design concern that I used for the creation of the companion guide for graduate students - Guide for Writing and Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation). Long orations are minimized and suggestions are presented in a direct and clear manner. Actual proposal examples are included so that you can easily see the different suggestions demonstrated.

As you are going through this Guide you will probably see things that aren't clear, need fixing, or should be further clarified. Please send them along and I will do my best to improve the Guide based upon your ideas. I try to make major revisions in the Guide at least 2-3 times each year. Your suggestions on how to improve this Guide will be most appreciated

And finally, I receive many requests asking me to recommend a book or two that would be helpful in writing a good proposal. I've started to create such a listing of books I've identified and my review of each of them. Feel free to check out my selection of books to help with the preparation of a funding proposal.

Enjoy using this Guide and I hope it brings you good luck as you seek funding for your ideas!

Joe Levine (levine@msu.edu)

Proposal Section
TITLE	Writing Hints	Example
PROJECT OVERVIEW	Writing Hints	Example
BACKGROUND INFORMATION/ STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM	Writing Hints	Example
PROJECT DETAIL
- Goals & Objectives	Writing Hints	Example
- Clientele	Writing Hints	Example
- Methods	Writing Hints	Example
- Staff/Administration	Writing Hints	Example
AVAILABLE RESOURCES	Writing Hints	Example
NEEDED RESOURCES
- Personnel	Writing Hints	Example
- Facilities	Writing Hints	Example
- Equipment/Supplies/Communication	Writing Hints	Example
- Budget	Writing Hints	Example
EVALUATION PLAN	Writing Hints	Example
APPENDICES	Writing Hints	Example

View the entire proposal example

View all of the writing hints

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A Selection of Books on Proposal Writing

Links to Other Proposal Writing Resources

Background information on how this Guide was prepared

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Companion Guide
Writing and Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation