Writing a Funding Proposal

Project Documentation | By Duncan Haughey | Read time minutes

A collection of different denomination Euro notes

If you are already familiar with the ubiquitous project brief and would like to try something new, here's an idea. Why not try writing a funding proposal.

We can use a funding proposal to request funds by providing a compelling case for the proposed project. The main difference is the focus on the goals and objectives of the project, feeding into a set of measures for the evaluation of project success. The proposal features a full breakdown of project resources and costs in greater detail than usually found in a project brief.

The focus on objectives and measures adds some rigour, making the project manager think carefully about specific activities. These must be measurable so project success can be gauged by whether these objectives are met.

In the required resources section, the document covers personnel, facilities, equipment, suppliers and budget. Funding covers much more than just people, and it is crucial to include office space, furniture, computer equipment, consumables, third-party supplier costs, etc.

It's essential to describe precisely how you will decide whether your project has been successful. The evaluation plan tells how you will show that the investment was a good one at the end of the project.

Finally, include a detailed project plan, which shows your timeline and detailed task level information.

The typical contents of a funding proposal might look something like this:

  1. Project Outline
  2. Background Information
    • 2.1. Opportunity Statement
    • 2.2. Vision
    • 2.3. Positioning
  3. Project Details
    • 3.1. Goals & Objectives
    • 3.2. Customers
    • 3.3. Methods
    • 3.4. Staff / Administration
  4. Available Resources
  5. Required Resources
    • 5.1. Personnel
    • 5.2. Facilities
    • 5.3. Equipment
    • 5.4. Suppliers
    • 5.5. Budget
  6. Evaluation Plan
    • 6.1. Formative Evaluation
    • 6.2. Summative Evaluation
  7. Appendix 1: Project Plan

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Recommended read: Project Cost Management by Joseph Phillips.

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