Proposal Writing Tip: Include useful and relevant data

As a consultant working with a variety of clients over the years on grant proposals, there are often commonalities that arise amongst each, and one is this, writing grant proposals with loads of passion but no solid data to support the issue addressed.

Chuck Putney, a consultant trainer for The Grantsmanship Center, has written a concise and applicable article on the use of data in proposals in the recent Centered publication (June 2012 (Vol. 5, No. 6). I strongly recommend reading this if you are planning on developing proposals of any type. An excerpt;

Data--numbers--are critical in proposals. The ability to seek out and provide data to bolster an argument is an indication of the applicant's level of professionalism. The less the argument is supported by appropriate data, the harder it is for the reviewer to see the proposal as a substantive and meaningful program plan.

At the same time, data alone will not make the argument for you. Read more…

He continues to outline how to use that data and what to include. Equally as important, don’t forget to include why you’re the most competent to address this issue or execute your program! Use data to back that up as well.

Happy grant seeking!

“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price.”

Vincent "Vince" Lombardi (1913-1970);

Athletic coach