How to Apply

What Makes a Strong Proposal

Elements to Include in Your Grant Proposal

Here are some of the things the Trust looks for in reviewing proposals:

Impact

The project expands its reach by achieving one of the following:

• Improving service delivery systems.
  
• Expanding model programs.
  
• Collaborating with other agencies.
  
• Testing pilot concepts that may have broader applicability.
  
• Emphasizing prevention or early intervention.
  
• Answering the key question: How will people measurably benefit as a result of the proposed program or activity?

Effectiveness

A project is effective if:

• It addresses identified need(s).
  
• It is based on knowledge or evidence of what works.
  
• It includes measurable outcomes - effects on the lives of children, older adults or arts and culture institutions.

Feasibility

A feasible project is one that:

• Is consistent with the agency's core mission, capacity and strategic plan.
  
• Uses methodology appropriate to address the issue(s).
  
• Is manageable with available resources.
  
• Has sufficient organizational leadership to achieve programmatic goals.

Sustainability

Project sustainability is based on:

• A requested amount that is appropriate to the size of the agency's budget.
  
• Stable and/or diverse funding.
  
• A thoughtful, realistic plan to continue the project beyond the Trust's grant period.

More Likely to Receive Support

Based on these considerations, the following are characteristics of proposals more likely to receive support:

• Work that demonstrates improvement in the lives of young children, youth and older adults.
  
• For an arts organization, a specific project that will strengthen its capacity and stability.
  
• Youth programs that advance social and educational achievement through tutoring and mentoring relationships, positive peer relationships, and programs outside the classroom.
  
• Collaborative activities of multiple agencies trying to solve an overall community need through combining resources, ideas and program capacities.
  
• Local organizations that bring proven national program models to this community.
  
• Models of service that might be applicable to other similar settings in the community.
  
• Programs that multiply impact by involving volunteers from civic organizations or churches.
  
• Organizations that have identified a pivotal component of their strategic plan for Trust support.

Less Likely to Receive Support

Following are characteristics of proposals less likely to receive Trust support:

• Requests that represent a large percentage of an organization's annual operating budget and therefore may be hard to sustain after the grant ends.
  
• Recurring marketing or fundraising costs.
  
• Funding for the next season's performances or productions.
  
• Capital campaigns where the request represents an inordinate share of the overall campaign goal.
  
• Core capital and operating costs for private or public schools.
  
• Provision of direct healthcare services where Trust funds would be insufficient to have significant impact on the overall need.
  
• Medical research that would require enormous commitments of funding typically available only at the national level.
  
• Organizations where there is no demonstrated support of the organization or insufficient commitment (financially and attendance at board meetings) by the board or a capital campaign cabinet.