This month we are focusing on grant writing skills that will increase the likelihood of funding success! Thus far, our topics have included “Being Grant Ready,” and “Funding your Mission.” This week I am going to provide you with tips and strategies to write a successful program description.
The program description provides you with an opportunity to describe your program in detail to the prospective funder. On many scoring rubrics, this section of the proposal is worth about 1/3 of the total available points. Clearly, if you don’t receive the available points in this section, you are not likely to receive the requested funding.
Include as many details about the program as possible, in the space allotted. This section is where you will provide information about the methods you will use in the program for which you are seeking funding. Describe, using action verbs, the activities that are included in the proposed program. Unless requested elsewhere in the proposal, it is a good idea to include a timeline of how you envision the program occurring. In many proposals, you will also be asked to provide detail about how the program will be staffed and the hiring criteria for staff.
Ultimately, the program description is your organization’s response to the needs that you have identified and described in the Needs Statement. It may be difficult for someone who doesn’t know your organization to make the connection between the stated needs and your program—it is your job to “spell it out” for the reviewer to be certain the connection is made.
Writing a clear program description will increase the likelihood of grant funding success and increased funding for your organization.
