This document provides guidance for writing a business proposal seeking a $150,000 small business grant from a town board. It outlines the key sections to include: a cover page, letter of transmittal, table of contents, executive summary, introduction, discussion sections covering the business overview and benefits to the town, conclusion, and tips for writing each section effectively. The discussion sections should provide supporting details about the business, location, competition, and immediate and long-term benefits to the town.

1. Essay #3 Business Proposal
Directions in Full
Tips

2. There are Several Parts
• Cover/Title Page
• Letter/Memo of Transmittal
• Table of Contents with List of Illustrations
(optional)
• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Discussion Sections
• Conclusion

3. Cover/Title Page
• Title: Proposal for Town of _____ (fill in the
blank) Small Business Grant
• Come up with a name for your company
• Come up with a company logo
• “Prepared for ______” (Town Board of ____
(name of town).
TIP:
Spacing, Fonts, Logo, and Layout are Important

4. Letter/Memo of Transmittal
• Use the company logo in your heading
• Write to a specific person on the town board -
- find out the name and address of the town
supervisor or mayor

5. Letter/Memo of Transmittal
TIPS:
• Proper Business Letter Format is Important.
• Do not put in too much detail at this point
but do include enough to create a positive
first impression. 250 words, maximum.
• Refer to the small business grant and your
application—you are submitting a proposal
to receive a grant of $150,000.

6. Table of Contents
• Follow the outline provided in the textbook
and on Blackboard
• Your subheading under Features and Benefits
will differ from the subheadings in the sample
proposal in the textbook - - think carefully
about your subheading titles

7. Suggested Subheadings in TOC
– Overview of Business
– Location of Business
– Immediate Benefits
– Long-Term Benefits
– Potential Concerns
– Competitors
– Initial Plans for Grant Money

8. Table of Contents
TIPS:
• The wording of the headings in the TOC
should match that of the ones you actually
use within the proposal text.
• Page references should be correct.

9. Executive Summary
• Present a concise overview of your proposal’s most
important points. DO NOT merely repeat yourself.
• Make a brief mention of the town’s need for your
business/service and how your business/service will meet
that need.
TIPS:
• Your first sentences should engage your reader’s
attention.
• Focus on only 2-3 “selling points” - - do not go into too
much detail.
• Limit yourself to 250 words.
• Write the summary after you have finished the entire
proposal.

10. Introduction
• State the purpose of your proposal: You are seeking a
$150,000 small business grant from the town
• Provide an overview of the town: Why does it need
your business? What is going on now? What do
residents do now, without your business/service?
• Provide an overview of the current
economic/demographic context: Who is living in your
town in 2012? What needs do they have at present?
(Do some research about this.)
• Describe how your business/service will meet their
needs.
• Include mention of your expertise.

11. Introduction
TIPS:
• There are various sites that provide
demographic information including real
estate sites. However, start with the US
Census site: http://www.census.gov/#
• If you use outside information at this point,
remember to cite it.

12. Discussion Sections
Suggested Subheadings
• Provide supporting information in this section;
this is the longest part of your proposal.
• Subheadings:
– Overview of ________ (Use the name of your
business/service); provide a detailed description
of your business/service and your target customer
base.
– Proposed Location of _____ (Describe—include a
map—the location of the business, explaining why
it is suitable.) (The map will be an outside source.)

13. Discussion Sections
– Competition: Identify regional competitors. How
will your business/service stand out from that of
competitors?
– Immediate Benefits to _____ (name of town);
explain the immediate (within the first 12 months
let’s say) benefits that your business/service will
bring to the town.
– Long-Term Benefits to _____ (Discuss the long-
term benefits)

14. Discussion Sections
– Possible Objections: This will depend upon what
type of business you are starting. If you can
honestly not think of any, then leave this section
out.
– Initial Use of Grant Money

15. Conclusion
• Summarize your main points briefly, stressing
the benefits to the town.
• Look to the future. What are your next steps
going to be assuming that you get the money?
• Reassure your reader that you are around and
are willing to answer follow-up questions.