THE PLANNING PROCESS

• Identify the problem. What is happening? Why is it happening? Who is involved? How do you know this?
• Generate solutions. Brainstorm. Be creative. Take good notes.
• Examine critically. Compare advantages & disadvantages. What will it cost?
• Document information. Develop your own statistics. Look at published research.
• Determine your uniqueness. Why are you best suited?
• Determine your similarities to others. How can you be a model for others?

THE PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
(to be completed after the planning process)

• Review guidelines from funding organization to determine if they are willing to fund what you propose. If the fit is loose, is there a way to re-frame ideas to fit? If the fit is way-off, look for other funders. Be sure to check general restrictions and budget restrictions.
• Review significant information (e.g. due date, where to send proposal, etc.) and make clear notes on this information.
• Make a layout of everything that is requested (e.g. develop a notebook with forms and brief descriptions of what is required; make a check list). Be very specific.
• Develop a schedule of what is needed. Assign dates; assign primary responsibility to individuals. Discuss hurdles and how they can be addressed. Make sure you have the backing of the institution.
• Complete rough draft of narrative. Most requests for applications or proposals want you to include the following in your narrative:
• a description of the problem you are addressing
• a description of the organization applying for the grant and, if applicable, partnership organizations
• your goals, measurable objectives, and the stratgies you wish to employ to solve the problem
• a workplan describing when you will accomplish specific items
• a description of the qualifications of people involved or job descriptions for those to be hired
• a description of how you will evaluate what you are doing
• a description of how you will find additional funds to keep the program going

• Complete rough budget. Are matching funds required?
• Compose and/or review draft letters of commitment or other papers (e.g. Memorandum of Understanding—MOU) you need from partner organizations.
• Revise narrative rough draft.
• Do you still meet grant requirements?
• Are the ideas clear, concise, & precise?
• When needed, do you back up what you claim with research?
• Are you following the correct format?
• Are the criteria on which you will be evaluated easily identified in the narrative?

• Revise rough budget.
• Does the budget meet their restrictions?
• Have you gotten approval for institutional matches?
• Is the budget in the required format?
• Do they require a budget detail and/or a budget summary?

• Get someone who is not involved with the project to read what you put together. Then make revisions anywhere that is confusing. Do not get attached to certain phrases.

• Get formal institutional approval.
• complete CCSF forms
• get a board resolution for the funds

Complete any special forms (e.g. cover letter, agrant application sheet, a summary or abstract, other signature pages)

13. Prepare final copy.

review all materials

make needed copies

send in materials on time