Introduction

Not-for-profit organizations frequently rely on outside financial support to maintain, expand, or create programs and services. Often, proposals must be written to secure this support. The good news is successful proposal writing is not complicated; it does, however, take a considerable amount of preparation and good organizational skills.

The purpose of this online course is to help not-for-profit organizations plan and prepare winning proposals.

This course has six modules, one for each step in the proposal development process. They are described briefly below:

Step 1 - Developing (or Revisiting) Your Program Plan

The process required to create a solid program plan on which the proposal will be based.

Step 2 - Seeking Funding

Identifying, researching, and selecting funders for whom you will write proposals.

Step 3 - Managing the Proposal Development Process

Good project management, including: meaningful engagement of stakeholders; proper use of time, money and other resources; ensuring that adequate background information is collected; and good decision-making processes.

Step 4 - Developing Your Proposal

A component breakdown of a proposal, including checklists of the core information required for each section, and tips on how to adequately support the facts and make an emotional connection with the potential funder.

Step 5 - Producing and Packaging Your Proposal

Good writing and visual presentation techniques, followed by advice on assembling the final product.

Step 6 - Submitting and Following-up

Following submission guidelines and dealing with a win or loss.

Each module provides information on what the step entails, how-to tips for most effective implementation of the step, and links to additional supporting resources.