Optimus Template

Today we continue our week’s theme of going overboard. Another place in a grant a writer tends to “overdo it” is in the organizational capacity section.

A funding agency will often ask for a description of the applicant organization’s capacity to meet goals; after all, it is important to determine that an applicant has the integrity and ability to do what it claims in a proposal. However, many internal staff members tasked with writing a grant can often be tempted to share way more information about their organization than is really being asked.

To narrow down the potential directions this section can go, the following items, and only the following items, should be discussed:

-Organizational History: You should provide a very brief history of the organization, including your mission. This history should focus on the time spent trying to remedy the identified needs through organizational efforts. This should be 2 paragraphs, tops.

-Experience: Share your previous experience implementing projects of this size and scope. If you have experience using grant money to operate this project, that is better. Or, if you have previously received grant money from this very funding agency, share your successful fiscal and project management plans. Linking past success with current efforts will help in this section.

-Staff: Provide brief biographies for the project staff (approximately 1-2 paragraphs each). The project director should be identified and described. If you do not have a staff member identified for a position, a brief description of the qualifications necessary for that position should be provided. If grant money will be used as part of the staff member’s salary, indicate how much will be allotted next to their title (e.g., Project Director (.40 FTE)).

-Behind-the-scenes details: Details like who will manage the grant money, time commitments of all staff members, and commitments from collaborative partners should all be provided in this section. However, as has been the theme this week, avoid going overboard with those behind-the-scenes details that do not directly relate to this grant.

This section is a necessary proof of your organization’s past successes and current promise in this area of need. By demonstrating your professional capabilities to execute the proposed project, you are that much closer to getting your project funded.