GRANT WRITING & STRATEGIC THINKING

Dear You,

 

PREAMBLE 

 

We have developed a unique proposal format to assist Non-Profit Organizations obtain grants and funding, either for the purpose of expanding their business operations, or for the purpose of the empowerment and development of people and communities both within and outside the United States. Additionally, as a Strategic Thinking Consultancy, we tend to also assist with Program Conceptualization, Articulation and Development.

We have, over time, developed a precise, clear, concise and articulate format for presenting grant proposals. We would prepare a MASTER TEMPLATE GRANT PROPOSAL for your project. This Master Proposal Document would address every possible enquiry on a grant application. That means such a Master Proposal will be used to apply for any and all grants your organization might be interested in. It is our usual experience that the average organization wishes to apply for as many grants as possible. Just one MASTER GRANT DOCUMENT for your project, which can then be tweaked and adapted to as many grant applications as you deem fit, is cheaper and more expedient. We do not source for potential funding organizations for our clients. We also do not follow up on grant applications. However, we can decisively and conclusively assure you that the grant proposal we will prepare for you will be of both superlative and world-class standard.

As soon as commissioning formalities are concluded, we will require your organization to present us with a COMPREHENSIVE BRIEF that answers the following questions:

  • THE NAME OF THE PROJECT
  • WHAT IS THE PROJECT SUPPOSED TO ACHIEVE, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARDS TO IMPACTING POSITIVELY ON OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR WORLD?
  • WHAT SPECIFIC PROBLEMS WILL THE PROJECT ADDRESS?
  • WHO WILL BE THE VARIOUS BENEFICIARIES OF THE BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT?
  • A brief history of your organization highlighting:
  • + the major milestones in the history.
    + track record of achievements
    + programs of the organization
    + officials of the organization
  • Why should anyone wish to fund this project, especially with pertinent regard to its benefits to the world? Specific reference should be made to community needs, and how your project meets those needs.
  • What specific goals are the project trying to achieve? What are the measurable milestones you will reach to meet those goals?
  • What are the specific actions you will take to achieve the goals of this project?
  • How do you propose to undertake a a comprehensive evaluation of the project's impact, to further justify the investment of funder's resources?
  • Are there any other contributors to this project?
  • How do you intend to secure future funding for the sustenance of the project and its benefits?
  • How are you and your enterprise structured in such a way as to ensure productive and judicious utilization of Grant Funds?
  • Are you familiar with similar projects that received grants for their execution?
  • What are the BUDGETARY projections for the execution of the project? Please note that most funding organizations prefer that not less than 70% of funds are deployed to the operational aspects of the project, leaving 30% to running and overhead expenses. Ideally, the budget would incorporate the following components:
  • A. Personnel Expenses
    B. Direct Project Expenses
    C. Administrative (overhead) Expenses
    D. Grand Total

STRATEGIC THINKING

As a Strategic Thinker, I channel my intellect towards project innovation and design by assisting clients in conceptualizing new projects, and fine-tuning the processes that lead to the desired outcomes that ensure genuine sustainability in the pursuit of their business goals

I have the ability to develop a clearly-defined and focused business vision, principally because I am capable of thinking strategically towards a unique purpose, and then creatively visualizing it.

I am able to not only clearly define objectives, but also strategically break each objective into tasks that can be apportioned appropriate resources and specific timelines. 

I am able to build flexibility into a project by creating benchmarks that serve as a guide for recognizing and seizing the opportunity to revise plans. Naturally, this equates to an innate ability to proactively respond to change, whether anticipated or unanticipated, rather than being reactive.

I possess a high index of awareness, intuition and perception that allows me to instantly recognize those subtle clues that can often be so critical in both guiding future direction and exploiting opportunities for a client organization.

I am a committed lifelong learner who is always eager to learn from my experiences, and being an authentic team player, from others.

I possess the ability to balance a tremendous reservoir of creativity with genuine intellectual honesty about what is ultimately achievable. In many respects, I am a realistic optimist. 

I am capable of being patient enough to withhold hasty conclusions and judgments, in full realization that even the greatest ideas and concepts still require time for crystallization and eventual actualization.

I assist organizations to develop and articulate clear and unambiguous STATEMENT OF PURPOSE, and MISSION and VISION statements. Below are two sample sets: 

1. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

"To Cultivate Character, Nurture Health, And Grow Income, From The Ground Up."

MISSION

To empower disadvantaged women, and to educate, and to preserve childrens' lives, using the instrumentality of a sustainable agricultural industry that will employ expert knowledge to ensure healthy food production at internationally-accepted standards, while providing strategic, innovative and entrepreneurial solutions to challenges in the agricultural sector of the economy.

VISION

To become the world's largest, and the most all-inclusive non-profit association of women agriculturists, and thereby evolve into a unique international Sisterhood movement that will continually strive to ensure that no woman, and no child, is socially and economically marginalized in today's global order.

2. My Mission

My mission on Earth is to continually engage in the purposeful activity of bringing people of diverse vocational backgrounds and leanings together, such that the meeting of their minds, concepts and ventures can be an effective catalyst for the continued unfolding of Divine agenda for the progressive evolution of mankind.

My Vision

My vision is to create a global network of enlightened men and women who will commit to using their talents, gifts and enterprises to continually glorify God’s kingdom.