200 North Third St', Suite 600

1
200 North Third St., Suite 600 Harrisburg, PA
17101 [phone] [phone]
fax www.ruralpa.org Barry L. Denk, Director
denkb_at_ruralpa.org
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Center for Rural Pennsylvania

• Legislative research agency of the Pennsylvania
  General Assembly (Act 16, 1987)
• Mandates
• Administer grants to conduct research on rural
  conditions
• Maintain a database on rural conditions and needs

3
Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development
Commission

• ROUTES TO SUCCESS
• SUCCESSFUL PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
• June 1, 2005

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PROPOSAL COMPONENTS

• Problem (Needs) Statement
• Goals and Objectives
• Methodology
• Timeline/Project Schedule
• Budget
• Evaluation
• Asset-based development

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Tips for Writing a Needs Statement

• Dont be doom and gloom
• Be sure of your factsbe accurate
• Dont bore them with facts, Dont over analyze
• Use current data that is relevant to your area
• Dont clog the narrative with too many tables and
  graphs
• Dont describe the solution
• Provide examples

• Discuss what has been done to date
• Dont cast blame for failures of past efforts
• Use third person narrative
• Use a mix of quantitative/qualitative data and
  anecdotal evidence
• Show a human side to your needs statement
• Be creative in your writing, try to create
  interest
• Be positive!

6
Data as Evidence

• Always relate the data to your target population
• Dont overkill with numbers too many
• statistics are boring!
• Be as current as possible, if only old
• data is available, say so.
• Be sure numbers/facts are accurate
• Use tables/graphs when possiblebut dont get
  carried away
• Cite your data sources
• Use data ratio when possible (per capita,
  percentage, etc.)

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Goals Objectives

• Tips
• Goals are over-arching statements
• (Create a nationally recognized entrepreneurial
  development program for Blair County)
• Objectives are quantifiable, measurable outcomes
  or results
• (Operate a 12-week Business Plan Development
  Class for 30 entrepreneurs)
• (Obtain an 80 graduation rate for BPD students)
• (Establish a 50,000 revolving loan fund )
• Objectives are NOT process-oriented
• (We will meet with County Commissioners)

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Methodology

• Be sure the methods flow from the goals and
  objectives
• Be logical and chronological
• Who, Where, When, Why
• Be concisebut thorough
• Use simple sentences and bullets
• Methodology is process

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Timeline / Scheduling

• Consider using Gantt Chart
• Break-out monthly/quarterly
• Include all major tasks and
• milestones
• Identify responsible party
• Make it simple and easy to
• read share with all parties

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Budget

• Tips
• Make sure columns add up!
• Work with appropriate staff to come up with
  realistic numbers
• Make sure to include all appropriate in-kind
  contributions
• Follow rules on allowable expenses
• Be able to justify all numbers

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Rules for Selecting a Funding Source

• Know your project
• Narrow your search
• Focus on funding sources that meet your
  organization's mission
• Pay attention to funding guidelines

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Some Basic Writing Principles

• Keep proposal neat, easy to read-- lots of white
  space on the page. Follow the requirements of
  the RFP
• Use positive and confident avoid saying, We
  hope to, or We may.
• Dont overkill with tables, charts, and graphs
• Ask someone not familiar with issue to read
  proposal for clarity
• Secure all necessary commitments/signatures
• If you need help.ASK!
• Dont over-promise or undersell
• Be factual but not dull!
• Avoid jargon
• Write in third person
• Dont assume the reviewer knows about the issue
  as well as you
• Check for typos

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Issues Affecting Proposal Competitiveness

• Required elements are missing, i.e. budget
  justification, vita, support letters
• Unrealistic goals and objectives for the project
• Needs assessment not supported by reliable
  data/information based on emotion.
• Weak methodology doesnt present a convincing
  case for project
• Proposals contain typos or excessive jargon
• Proposal scope is too narrow

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Thank you!