What is a proposal? A proposal is a document that outlines a detailed plan on a project that NGOs propose to a donor seeking funds to implement it. Usually, the donors that provide funding to NGOs request proposals in a pre-set format. Although this format can vary from one donor agency to another, … [Read more...] about Basic Questions on Proposal Writing Answered
What should be the size of a proposal? How long or short should a proposal be? How many number of pages should there be in a proposal?
[...continued from the main page] It is very difficult to give an exact idea on the size of a proposal because it varies from donor to donor. Some donor agencies prefer to receive just a proposal of not more than one page, at least initially. Other donor organizations like the USAID and the … [Read more...] about What should be the size of a proposal? How long or short should a proposal be? How many number of pages should there be in a proposal?
Is it important to know about a donor agency before writing a proposal to them?
[...continued from the main page] Yes. This is in fact the first step you need to do. If you send a proposal on environment to a donor agency which is only funding projects on disability, then you get automatically rejected. Besides, some donors can be very specific about the sub-areas of … [Read more...] about Is it important to know about a donor agency before writing a proposal to them?
How can I get inputs for my proposal from the donor agency?
[...continued from the main page] In open call for proposals where a donor agency is inviting applications from several NGOs, it may be difficult to seek inputs from it in your proposals. Since this kind of funding call is competitive, the donor agency does not wish to favor any single NGO by … [Read more...] about How can I get inputs for my proposal from the donor agency?
What is matching contribution in a budget and how can NGOs arrange it?
[...continued from the main page] Many donors insist that projects provide details on matching contribution in their proposal budgets. It is usually 10-20% of the total budget you propose. Matching contributions are financial contributions made by the NGO to the overall grant of the project. If … [Read more...] about What is matching contribution in a budget and how can NGOs arrange it?
Cover Letter, Cover Page and Project Summary
[...continued from the main page] The format for foreign donors & local donors might vary but most of them follow the same format based on Logical Framework Analysis model, which consist of the following topics: Cover letter- one should always write the cover letter on the letter head of the … [Read more...] about Cover Letter, Cover Page and Project Summary
Profile of the organization
[...continued from the main page] This section describes the applicant organization and its credentials for funding and establishes its credibility. It should be brief and to the point, giving an overview about its profile to the donor agency. It should include the below mentioned … [Read more...] about Profile of the organization
Introduction to your NGO – Common Questions in Proposal Writing
Continued from the Main Page The very first section of any proposal application form would like to know about your organization. It seeks to know the basic details such as the name of the organization, contact information, contact person, objectives and mission etc. This can be the easiest part in … [Read more...] about Introduction to your NGO – Common Questions in Proposal Writing
Project Background or Rationale – Common Questions in Proposal Writing
Continued from the Main Page Any project proposal would require a project background or rationale to explain the donor agency how the problematic situation has existed. This can be a very important part of the proposal because here you try to convince the donor agency the necessity of putting its … [Read more...] about Project Background or Rationale – Common Questions in Proposal Writing
How to write Letter of Inquiry for Seeking Grants
‘Letter of Inquiry’ or LOI can be your first contact with a donor agency for raising funds for your NGO. It can be more relevant than a full proposal because if the Letter of Inquiry is found to be poorly written, no grantmaking organization will be interested to know anything about your NGO or your … [Read more...] about How to write Letter of Inquiry for Seeking Grants
