12 Characteristics of a Good Proposal

Excellent 5 page article in pdf by Joel Oroz, Phd, on the characteristics of a good grant proposal:

1. Applicant's idea is innovative
2. Applicant has expertise but also an understanding of the project's weaknesses
3. Applicant has done needed homework
4. The applicant has done the project with, not to, those it is trying to help
5. The applicant is other centered rather than self centered
6. The applicant will invest its own money in the project
7. The applicant is determined to do the project no matter what
8. The applicant has taken a comprehensive approach
9. The applicant will work collaboratively with others who can help
10. The applicant is willing to have an evaluator assess the project
11. The applicant will continue the project after foundation funding ceases
12. The project has the potential for larger impact.

Comments

[Jeremy Gregg]

Great article! Some very good points in it. Most of the articles I've read have just pointed out the obvious (avoid jargon, be concise, include a budget, etc.). This one, however, really gets at the heart of what makes a good proposal.

Thanks for posting it, Phil!

[Gayle]

Hmm, link doesn't seem to work for me. Sometimes simple technology makes me feel dumb.

[Phil]

Link seems to have gone dead. Not sure why, it had been working. Maybe the resource was withdrawn.