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Writing Funding Proposals Pathfinder
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The Writing Funding Proposals Pathfinder provides references to Web sites and to print sources with useful information on how to write a proposal when applying for funding from a private or public organization. It is intended to assist in developing successful proposals.
This guide is a growing document, we welcome suggestions for additions.
Please contact us at cris@agr.gc.ca
: Identifies Canadian content
Glossary
American definitions of terms related to proposals for funding from the Foundation Center.
Internet: http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/gfr/glossary.html
Glossary of terms ![Canadian Flag](images/canflag.gif)
A glossary of program terms commonly used by foundations from Philanthropic Foundations Canada.
Internet: http://www.pfc.ca/cms_en/page1112.cfm?presto_language=0
Glossary of terms ![Canadian Flag](images/canflag.gif)
A glossary of terms from Giving and Volunteering.
Internet: http://www.givingandvolunteering.ca/glossary.asp
Glossary of terms for the Voluntary Sector ![Canadian Flag](images/canflag.gif)
Canadian definitions of terms related to funding and the voluntary sector from the Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador.
Internet: http://envision.ca/templates/profile.asp?ID=56
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The following guides may help you in writing a proposal:
Basic Elements of Grant Writing
General guidelines from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting - United States.
Internet: http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html
Build an Investment Proposal - Industry Canada
From the Steps to Capital Growth web site.
Internet: http://www.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/stgc-evcc.nsf/en/00185e.html
Community Guide to Proposal Writing ![Canadian Flag](images/canflag.gif)
Guidelines from Manitoba Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade.
Internet:
http://www.gov.mb.ca/ia/programs/neighbourhoods/ toolbox/guide.html
Grant Writing Guide
A concise easy-to-follow 10 step guide aimed at private grantseeking with sample grant applications that apply to public, or Government, grantseeking. Available from US -based SeaCoast Web Design. Intended for use by any non-profit, charitable or educational organization.
Internet: http://www.npguides.org/guide/index.html
Guide for Writing a Funding Proposal
In this guide intended for advanced graduate students and others, Dr. S. Joseph Levine of Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources provides instructions and examples as well as links to other resources. It is very user-friendly and follows a suggested/recommended outline that is based on the strengths of five other proposal outline models.
Internet: http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/
Preparing an Effective Business Case -- A Guide to Planning and Funding Municipal and Community Projects
This factsheet will help municipalities and not-for-profit organizations prepare an effective business case for raising funds — both within the community and through government programs. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Internet:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/ busdev/facts/02-023.htm
Strategies for effective Proposal Writing
This guide is from the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition.
Internet: http://www.healthycommunities.on.ca/publications/ misc/fundproposal.pdf
Writing a Letter of intent, Letter Proposal, Long Proposal or an Executive Summary
This guide is from the Community Services Council Newfoundland and Labrador.
Internet: http://envision.ca/templates/resources.asp?ID=3157
Writing a Proposal
This beginner's guide from the Alberta Learning Information Service provides a standard format for a proposal with a brief description of the information to include in each section.
Internet: http://www.alis.gov.ab.ca/tips/archive.asp?EK=152
Writing a Proposal
General guidelines from the Business Link - Business Service Centre include clear explanations of proposal elements and excellent advice. Highly recommended.
Internet: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/servlet/ContentServer? pagename=CBSC_AB/CBSC_WebPage/AB_WebPage_Template& cid=1104766631778&c=CBSC_WebPage
Guides to Programs - Government of Canada Proposal Writing Guides
How to Prepare a Winning Proposal
The following items are important in preparing a Discovery Grant application for Natural Sciences Engineering Research Council
Internet: http://www.nserc.gc.ca/professors_e.asp?nav=profnav&lbi=winprop
Standard elements to be included in project proposals
Guide to writing proposals for the Health Transition Fund from Health Canada. Much of the content is widely applicable.
Internet: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/ 1998/1998_26bk3_e.html
Writing Better Proposals
This bilingual guide from Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) is intended for persons responding to PWGSC Requests For Proposals (RFPs). It is well organized. It briefly covers topics such as Organizing Your Proposal, Mandatory Requirements and Tips and Tricks.
Internet: http://contractscanada.gc.ca/en/writin%2De.htm
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How to Enhance a Grant Proposal
This tutorial from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is geared to environmental groups, with sections on Enhancing a Proposal and a Mock Grant Writing Activity that are broadly applicable.
Internet: http://cobweb.ecn.purdue.edu/~epados/grants/src/ writting/write.htm
Proposal Writing - CharityVillage Campus ![Canadian Flag](images/canflag.gif)
Web-based course. Price $127.
Internet: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/learn/cvcproposals.html
A Proposal Writing Short Course
Excerpt from The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing. Offers a clearly presented summary of the components of a proposal with examples to illustrate the ideas. "It is intended for nonprofit organizations but would be helpful to others seeking funds. "
Internet: http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/shortcourse/ index.html
Writing for your life -
Funding Proposals
This Web site is designed to supplement the composition text entitled Write of Way by Douglas B. Rogers. Intended for college students, it offers a few helpful suggestions on proposal content and organization. Includes a practice activity and suggested answer (PDF format).
Internet: http://www.pearsoned.ca/highered/divisions/ text/rogers/3_6.html
Proposal Writing: Resources in Print
This annotated bibliography from the University of Wisconsin (Madison)'s Grants Information Center provides a selective list of books on the topic.
Internet:
http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalbooks.html
Reference Guide for Proposal Writers
This annotated bibliography from the Foundation Center provides a selective list of books on the topic.
Internet: http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/guides/proposal.html
Writing grant proposals ![Canadian Flag](images/canflag.gif)
The Imagine Canada John Hodgson Library has a variety of resources on seeking funding for grants or building a case for support, including writing proposals.
Internet: http://nonprofitscan.imaginecanada.ca/en/ tir_proposal_writing
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Books and Journal Articles |
Books
The
interlibrary loan or document delivery services of libraries can assist with locating copies of the documents
listed, if they are not in the collection of your local library.
Canadian Centre for Philanthropy. 2005 Canadian directory to foundations and grants. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Centre for Philanthropy, 2005.
Contains an excellent manual on The Basics of Foundation Fundraising and Proposal Writing by Ingrid van Rotterdam. The proposal framework includes sections on objectives, activities, evaluation and budget. Provides checklists to help strengthen the proposal. Building relationships with donors is described as well as cover letters and grant application follow-up actions. Presented in a clear, logical way.
Kiritz, Norton J. Program Planning & Proposal Writing. Los Angeles, California: The Grantsmanship Center, 1980.
Intended to help applicants meet the requirements of most funding agencies. This 47-page article by the president of The Grantsmanship Center is loaded with examples, checklists, time charts, and tables to illustrate the process.
Tammemagi, Hans. Winning Proposals . North Vancouver, British Columbia: Self-Counsel Business Series, 1999. 105 pages.
Written for people seeking funds for contracts, research grants, venture capital , financial assistance, or funds for business or charity. Provides the reader with the mechanics and with insight into the psychology of writing successful proposals. Includes samples and figures to illustrate the topic. Interesting and straightforward. Important concepts are highlighted in bold and listed in the page margins.
Articles
Dealing with foundations
Queen's University, Office of Research Services
Internet: http://www.queensu.ca/vpr/helpapp.htm
Proposals that appeal or appall
Eugene A. Scanlan, of The Alford Group Inc, and Barbara Kushner Ciconte of The American University, have drawn up a noteworthy list of dos and don'ts to follow when writing a proposal.
Internet: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rprop2.html
Top ten ways to get your proposal read
Barbara Hedjuk , President of the Imperial Oil Charitable Foundation offers ten suggestions to grantseekers based on her wealth of experience.
Internet: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rprop5.html
Understanding the funder and the proposal
Consultant Winston Mattis offers several useful tips to consider when developing a proposal.
Internet:
http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/research/rprop1.html
Links to Other Proposal Writing Resources Joseph Levine, Michigan State University
Internet:
http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/links.htm
Proposal Writing: Internet Resources
University of Wisconsin (Madison)
Internet:
http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalwebsites.html
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