How to Write a Grant Proposal for a Disabilities Cause

by Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer

To help along a grassroots cause, fundraising is generally required. In the case of persons with disabilities, this is no different. In some cases, this fundraising source will come in the form of a grant. In order to get any grants, a proposal will need to be written. When grant-writing in the form of a proposal, it is very important to know your cause, have a general plan that you can refer to, as well as know the expected outcome of the community project at hand. It is also important to have an idea of what the final costs of your cause for persons with disabilities will be. Some community development projects can change course midway, but be sure to at least have an outline of the possible outcome available as reference. This way, the proposal for any needed grants will be easier to write with accuracy.

What is Your Cause?

A potential grassroots fundraising source will need to understand what exactly your cause is, such as which group of people with disabilities you wish to help and how, and why their available grants could help. Be sure to make it known in detail in the fundraising proposal, but with simplicity, so that it is not difficult to tell what your organization's specific needs are. For example, if you simply state that you want to help people with disabilities, this gives the fundraising source very little information. If you state that you want to provide a group home to foster children who are in wheelchairs, this is much more specific. Of course, you would also include in your proposal how you plan on doing this, as well as estimated costs.

Laying Out the Proposal

The Foundation Center notes that a grant proposal needs to be laid out specifically under the directions that the funding source provides. Under an example that the foundation provides, the first part of the fundraising proposal could be an umbrella statement and summary, one page long. The second part could explain the reason why the community development project must be carried out. Two pages is the recommended length for this section. Next, you could discuss how the project will be carried out and monitored. Three pages should cover this well.

Financial Plan and Conclusion

The budget is the next discussion item mentioned. Laying out the financial plan (including grants, other fundraising, and available funds) with any necessary notes on one page could follow. Next may be the history of your organization (or it's governing organization). Include the purpose of the community development organization, as well as who it serves and how, such as "service dogs aid those in wheelchairs." This may take up one page. The final component of the grant proposal could be a conclusion that sums up all the key factors. This could be two paragraphs.

Finalizing the Proposal

Once your grant proposal is written, be sure to get a few opinions from colleagues and friends. At times, someone else can notice an error or a missed point that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. Having several sources for this will ensure that the proposal is well-written and representative of your specific community project.


*I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network

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