There are several different types of proposals and it is important to determine which type a specific foundation wishes to receive. They often include: Letter of Inquiry (LOI), full proposal, online application, or common grant application. 

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A Letter of Inquiry is a short introduction of your project to a foundation. They are usually 2-3 pages in length, concisely summarize the project, explain your plan for the project, and identify how the project fits within the funder's priorities. For example, if the foundation is interested in education, you will want to talk about how the project is an important educational initiative. Oftentimes, foundations will want you to submit an LOI and, if it interests them, they will later request you submit a full proposal. To help you get started writing, view the LOI template on the Documents page under Resources. 

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A full proposal is significantly more in depth than an LOI. Proposals can range anywhere from 5-25 pages depending upon the scope of the project. Proposals usually follow a common format which can be found on the Documents page under Resources. However, if a foundation suggests a different format for proposal submissions, always follow their format. A typical breakdown of a proposal looks like this: 

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• Cover Letter: 1 page in length which introduces your organization and states exactly what you are asking for and how much. In many ways, a cover letter is an LOI re-purposed for use in a proposal. 

• ​Executive Summary: 1 page in length which identifies key points in each section of your proposal, including what your project is and what it will accomplish. This is the part of the proposal where you convince your reader why your project is necessary.

• Needs Statement: The purpose of a need statement is to convince the foundation that your project meets a societal need within your community. It should relate your mission, focus on who will be served, and explain why funding is critical

• Goals and Objectives: This section describes what you hope to accomplish with the project, including specific results or outcomes that can be realistically achieved. A goal is a broad statement about what you want to accomplish, while an objective is a tangible result that can be measured. 

• Methods, Strategies, or Program Design: This section describes the methods that will be used to achieve the goals and objectives previously identified, including why these methods were selected and the timeline they will follow.

• Evaluation: This section explains how you will evaluate the project to determine if the objectives were accomplished and the funds used appropriately. 

• Sustainability and Other Funding: If applicable, identify how you will sustain funding your project and what funding you have received from other sources. 

• Organization Information: Provide background and history about your organization and unit, including a summary of your programs, role in the community, and notable achievements. 

• Project Budget: Your project budget is the backbone of the proposal because it shows exactly what the funds will be used for. Always ensure that your program narrative matches the budget perfectly. 

• Attachments: Oftentimes foundations will determine which attachments should be submitted. Common attachments include a list of board members, 501(c)(3) letter, audited financial statement, operational budget, and letter of support. 

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Remember that ultimately your proposal should be tailored to first fit the foundation's proposal requirements and then your specific project. Write the proposal that makes the most sense to your overall project and project goals. 

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Occasionally, foundations will use the common grant application, a format adopted by groups of grantmakers to allow applicants to produce a single, standardized proposal for those within the funding community. If a foundation uses this format, they will make it very clear and likely provide a copy of the application. The final form of proposal is an online application, which usually follows a Question and Answer format and is found on the foundation's website. Remember to follow the guidelines outlined in the application and submit several days before the deadline to avoid any last minute technology glitches. Regardless of format, the most common proposal weaknesses are not clearly identifying a significant problem and a lack of clarity as to how funds will be used for project activities. Make sure to focus on these areas to ensure greater success.