Writing a Small Business Grant Proposal: do You Know What You Need to Know?

A Home Business Article Contributed by Donna m. Brown

Do You Know What You Need to Know to Write Your Small Business Grant Proposal?

A small business grant proposal is an organized document with a specific outline. While you will find the outline varies somewhat based on agency or individual criteria, there are some basic elements you need to include in a grant proposal. Following is some generic advice about writing a grant proposal, use the information to supplement your primary source of information which is the grant application and issuing agency, individual or organization.

Eight Pieces of a Small Business Grant Proposal

In the course of writing your grant proposal you will include information on the following eight components. It's a good idea to memorize these components in the planning and development stage. Create eight different folders for each element and file information and ideas (even those you write down on a napkin during a business luncheon) in those folders. When you sit down to actually tap out your small business grant proposal, you will be better prepared to spice it up with details.

- proposal summary: This is the very first piece of information readers will see when they begin to review your proposal. It is similar to the lede in a newspaper article. You will either snag them here and entice them to read on, or loose interest in the first eight seconds. Keep the summary to two or three paragraphs and include the who, what, where, when, why and how much in as few well-chosen words as possible. This can be on a separate page, or put it in the form of a cover letter.

This is your chance to shine and make your readers say, "Okay, you've got me. How do you plan to make this happen? " At that point, your reader will read on.

- Introduction: This is that "first meeting" that can be so uncomfortable, but so important. Even if it's a meeting on paper, you have got to look your best. Be confident, be honest, be dressed up and be ready to answer any probing questions your readers might ask - before they have the chance to ask. You and/or your organization need to appear credible.

Include a biography (no more than a paragraph detailing finer points) of every board member and key staff member of your organization involved in seeking the small business grant. Also include a brief statement about the organizations goals, mission, track record, success stories and other supporting members who have contributed financial or other support. Don't leave out cold hard facts and data that can support the conjectures you make about yourself or your organization.

- State the Problem: Explain the social or local problem you will solve by executing your small business plan. Will you meet a specific need the community has failed to previously address? Tell why you chose this project, who will benefit and other describe other alternatives to the problem that simply can't compare to yours.

-Goals and desired outcome: What do you hope to accomplish? Be detailed and factual in your presentation with an emotional twist.

-Methods and design, your plan of action:List in detail the activities that will occur to reach your desired goal. Create neat organizational and process flow charts to include as graphics and to break up the boredom of too much text.

-Evaluation: Product and Process Analysis: Address results that can be attributed to your project. Collect data in a professional, scientific and meaningful way, but present that evaluated data in an easy to read format.

-Future funding and long-term planning: Just like a good movie leaves room at the end for a sequel, you should leave open the possibility that your project will one day expand. Describe expansion possibilities in detail.

-Proposal budget: Clearly detail how you arrived at the requested figure, from whence other contributions will come and exactly how the money will be used. Ask an accountant for help in the creation and presentation of your budget.

Your Small Business Grant Proposal Should be Packaged Properly

Make sure your small business grant proposal is edited and re-edited to check for grammatical, spelling, accounting and factual errors. It should be printed on nice paper and presented to decision makers in an easy-to read package with a table of contents. Make sure you provide enough copies for every board member.