The document discusses key components of health program grant proposals. It identifies similarities and differences between business plans and grant proposals, noting they both must convince the reader of a need and proposed solution. The document outlines sections that should be included in a grant proposal, such as an introduction describing the problem and target population, SMART objectives with activities and evaluations, a program description, budget, and evaluation plan. It emphasizes the importance of these components in clearly communicating the proposal and need for funding.

1. CHAPTER 11: HEALTH PROGRAM GRANT
WRITING
• Compare at least two similarities and two
differences between business plans and health
program grant proposals
• Select at least three sections of a health program
grant proposal and explain why these sections
should be included in a grant application
• Design a SMART program objective with at least
one related activity and one evaluation method
for the objective
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2. BUSINESS PLAN AND GRANT PROPOSALS
BOTH:
• Convince the reader there is a need or problem
that must be addressed
• Outline an intervention, purchase, or program
that addresses the concern
• Present a budget and review of needed resources
• Financial analysis supports feasibility
• Provide a convincing rationale to obtain money
and other resources to accomplish specific goals
and objectives
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3. BUSINESS PLANS VS. GRANT PROPOSALS
Business plan:
• Internal focus to convince
your organization’s decision
makers or yourself
• Funding source typically
your organization or bank
• Purpose to increase
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profitability
• Proprietary
Grant proposal:
• External focus to convince
outside funders
• Funding source typically
private foundation or
government agency
• Purpose often to respond to
need and develop programs
• Community based
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4. PLANS AND PROPOSALS COMPARED TO A
LOTTERY TICKET
Amount of work invested
up-front:
– Lottery ticket: assume 6
minutes of your time
– Plan or proposal: assumes
600 minutes (10 hours) of
your time
– Considerably more work to
prepare a plan or proposal
than to buy a lottery ticket
• Approaches or reaches
publication quality
• Requires planning, thought,
teamwork, and coordination
Odds of reward:
– Lottery ticket: assume one to
18 million
– Plan or proposal:
• Varies and can be targeted
or improved
• 1:20 as a guess-timate
– Odds of winning the lottery
approach zero
– Odds of getting your plan or
proposal funded are
uncertain but MUCH greater
than zero
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5. PROGRAM PURPOSE AND DEFINITION
Purposes:
• Program plan
• Request for specified
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resources
• Promise of performance
within budget
• Instrument of persuasion
for funding
Definition:
• A positive statement
• Sets forth an activity or
program
• Maximizes opportunity for
funding
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6. TYPES OF PROPOSALS
• Planning: community needs assessment, program planning
and networking to develop and enhance community level
coordination, collaboration, and partnership
• Training: training and education
• Technical assistance: assist in developing, implementing,
and managing activities
• Demonstration: funding for model programs, services, or
methodologies
• Capital improvement: build, renovate, or acquire
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equipment
• Operational assistance: help fund overhead and maintain
the day-to-day activities
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7. OTHER PROPOSAL DEFINITIONS
• Special project vs. ongoing activity
• Solicited (RFP, RFA) vs. unsolicited
• Technical vs. business
• Operating vs. capital
• Sole source vs. competitive
• Grants vs. contracts
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8. KEY COMPONENTS OF A PROPOSAL
• Cover letter
• Title page, headings,
and table of contents
• Introduction
• Problem definition
• Needs assessment
• Program objectives
• Theoretical framework
• Program description
• Resources
• Resource needs
• Budget
• Evaluation plan
• Capability statement
• Plan for future funding
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9. COVER LETTER
• Usually first part of
proposal—even if not
required
• Sets tone for reviewer
• Brief, neat, clear, and
accurate—on official
letterhead
• Send to right agency
and person
• Components:
• Contact for applicant
organization
• Summary of proposal
• Why funder selected
• Interest, capability,
and experience
• Contact information
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10. COMPONENTS PROMOTING CLARITY
• Title page: title, subtitle if needed, name and
address, date, name of funding agency
• Headings and table of contents: organize and
clearly communicate your message
• Remember – different reviewers may read
different parts, so some information is
repeated in the cover letter and introduction
of the proposal
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11. PROPOSAL INTRODUCTION
• Establishes theme, reinforces clarity
• Title, applicant organization, funding source
• RFP, RFA, or funder interest the proposal
addresses
• Geographic area of program
• Target population description
• Purpose and significance of program
• Basic approach and major activity of program
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12. WHY DEVELOP THE PROGRAM?
• Purpose: overall aims, goals—focusing on
benefits, not means—should be brief and
specific
• Problem definition: nature and extent of
problem resulting in need
• Documentation of need
• Rationale or conceptual framework:
approaches, literature review, critique of
similar, or related programs
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13. WAYS TO DOCUMENT NEED
• Quantitative: statistical, epidemiological,
demographic information—must explain
• Qualitative: observations or stories
indicating need
• Limitations of existing programs: differences
between proposed and existing programs
• Evidence of demand: “market,” target group,
unserved, underserved
• Link need to specific objectives
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14. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
• Limited in number
• SMART objective
• Linked to program
activities and the
program evaluation
plan
• Three-step process:
– Write the SMART
objective
– Describe at least one
activity to achieve the
objective
– Describe at least one
related method for
evaluating the objective
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15. SMART PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
• Specific: program
activity
• Measurable: count or
quantity
• Achievable: realistic
within time frame
• Relevant: applies to
program goals
• Time frame: when
activity is completed
• Healthy People 2020
objectives are great
examples
Bay County Lead
Prevention Program:
• Enroll at least 80% of
all Bay County
pediatricians in the
Lead Awareness
Program workshop by
the end of FY 2012
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16. WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?
• Description of program activities: methods,
implementation, action plan, operations—
group in appropriate order
• How (not just what) will activities be done?
• Link activities to objectives
• Timetable – also future plans and financing
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17. RESOURCES AND RESOURCE NEEDS
• Organizational structure: size, board
• Administration: decision-making,
coordination, accountability
• Staffing: qualifications, responsibilities
• Physical facilities and equipment: available
and needed – also additional staff?
• Is program part of a larger operation?
How does it fit?
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18. BUDGET AND EXPLANATION
• Estimated expenses and income in dollars
• Must be realistic and justified
• Include explanatory notes – “Budget
Explanation”
• Funders often recognize “padding”
• Diplomatically refuse unrealistic cuts
• Link the budget to the rest of the proposal
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19. EVALUATION PLAN PURPOSES
• What is the primary purpose?
• Assess effectiveness
• Support continuing or additional funding
• Meet legislative and accreditation
requirements
• Compare programs and approaches
• Feedback for monitoring and evaluation
• Mechanism for accountability
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20. STEPS IN EVALUATION PLAN
• Operational definitions for measurable objectives
• Develop measurements as indicators of achieved objectives
• Identify variables influencing performance and outcomes
• Identify data requirements and sources
• Describe measurement instruments, development, and pretesting
• Explain methods to collect data, including sampling
• Indicate data analysis approaches
• Identify the content of the final evaluation report
• Describe the evaluation staffing and management
• Develop an evaluation timeline
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21. CAPABILITY STATEMENT
• Remember the quality of the proposal itself
• Summarize abilities, competence, resources
(size and budget), personnel, experience,
achievements, viability, reputation, and
philosophy of applicant organization
• Briefly discuss origins and history
• Provide evidence of adherence to standards,
endorsements, and ongoing support
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22. GRANT RENEWALS
• Typically year-to-year
• Adhere to funder requirements
• Maintain positive relationships
• Implement effective reporting
• Assure effective program and financial
management
• Prepare successful reapplication
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