WRITING NEEDS STATEMENT ©2009 William Holmes Grantsmanship and Fundraising College of Public and Community Service University of Massachusetts at Boston 1
WRITING NEEDS STATEMENT
©2009 William Holmes
Grantsmanship and Fundraising
College of Public and Community Service
University of Massachusetts at Boston
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NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:1
• Definition of need
• Example of need
• Extent of need
• Seriousness of need
• Relevant Contributing Factors
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NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:2
• Effects of not meeting need
• Current benefits of meeting need
• Effects of meeting additional need
• Gaps in current Services
• Opportunities in current service
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NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:3
• Basis in:o research, o promising approaches, o best practices, and o meta-analysis
• Rejection of alternative strategies• Argument that condition will worsen• Discussing costs of intervention
versus costs of non-intervention—human and dollar costs
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NEED STATEMENT AIMS: 1
• Demonstrate knowledge of literature on problem without being pedantic
• Demonstrate knowledge of interventions
• Demonstrate awareness of barriers and plans for addressing
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NEED STATEMENT AIMS: 2
• Demonstrate you problem is the same as that targeted by funder
• Demonstrate your approach is the best possible
• Demonstrate your approach has implications for others
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NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 1
1. Summarize similar data or literature
2. Clarify extent, incidence, prevalence, and severity
3. Note significant subpopulations
4. Compare locale to other towns, counties, states, or nation—especially if worse than previously funded target site
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NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 2
5. Note what makes your problem unique
6. Note what makes your approach unique
7. Note gaps in existing research or programs
8. Note important changes over time
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NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 3
9. Do not exaggerate or make extreme statements
10.Avoid circular reasoning
11.Use consistent style
12.Check for typos and formatting errors
13.Write for audience9
NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 4
14. Cite major authors
15. Cite panel authors
16. Cite organization reports
17. Have complete references
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GRANT TIPS: 1
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• Have a plan
• Believe they want to give you money
• Play to organization’s strengths
• Show how this fits with organization’s future
• Be positive
• Reuse good material
GRANT TIPS: 2
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• Be confident
• Be clear
• Detail budget
• Provide products
• Pay attention to grant guidelines
• Look professional, but not expensive
GRANT TIPS: 3
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• Follow instructions exactly
• Connect budget with program activity
• Pay attention to scoring weights
• Have one voice for proposal
• Proofread proposal
• Write abstract last and tie to goals