Civic Engagement Proposal Narrative Directions

This format is for organizations requesting funding for:

Organizing/civic engagement programs around issues, constituencies and/or communities
Non partisan get-out-the-vote programs
Non partisan election protection programs
Coalition building programs (Note: if you lead a coalition you should answer the following four questions about your organization’s program. There is an additional set of questions you should address about your role as a coalition leader.)

If you are asked to submit a Full Proposal, you will be informed of the deadline for submission. We aim to respond to applicants with a decision within four months of the date when their Full Proposal is submitted; however, this timeline might vary depending on the size of the request, the number of proposals being considered, the need for additional information and the date of funding decision meetings.

A well-organized, concise proposal that addresses each question is appreciated. Do not send additional materials; they will not be read and we do not want to waste your resources. Prior grantees must be up to date on their reporting requirements in order to re-apply for funding.

Please use the Standard Proposal Narrative Directions unless the letter inviting you to submit a Full Proposal indicated that you should use the Civic Engagement format.

Please submit your proposal narrative and required attachments electronically to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Any documents not sent electronically must arrive at The Brico Fund office before 3:00 p.m. central time by the deadline date indicated when you were invited to submit a full proposal.

Your proposal narrative should include the following information using separate section headings, and 12-point type with one inch margins, as outlined below. Applicants not following the format and space allocations will have their requests returned to them.

Overview of organization, program purpose, and organizing goals. (up to 1/2 page)
Statement of need for the program citing recent research, data and compelling evidence. (up to 1/2 page)
Program plan description, in the context of the constituency/community, documenting use of best practices. (up to 4 pages)

Explain how your program plan developed with the input of and integrated with other partners.
Describe your ongoing communication strategy to activate this constituency.
How will you use your volunteers, members and activists to move your program beyond the timeframe of your grant request?
Will you register potential new voters as a result of your program work?

Is your organization currently using the shared 501(c)(3) civic engagement file?

If yes:

how are you currently using the civic engagement file and what information have you appended back to the file?
what staff position in your organization is trained to use the file and complete the necessary data entry in a timely way to append information back onto the file? Please share a copy of this position’s job description.

If no:

do you plan to start using the civic engagement file within the next twelve months and, if so, what is your plan to develop the necessary staff capacity to be successful?
and you don’t plan to use the civic engagement file, please tell us why not and how your program will be successful without the benefit of enhanced data.

Before answering questions 4 and 5, please complete this Civic Engagement Grid using numbers (except in the “notes” section). First, personalize the “Target District” columns to describe how you focused your work (whether legislative district, media market, geographic area, etc.).

Explain why you chose to prioritize the Target Districts as you did.
Explain how your organization thinks about activist development. Be sure to explain how you define the stages of activist development.
Explain your evaluation strategy.

For organizations requesting funding for coalition efforts they lead, please answer the following additional questions. (up to 3 pages)

How do you work with coalition members to develop joint plans, recruit new partners and divide up work to accomplish mutual goals?
How does your coalition leadership build capacity in other organizations?
How are coalition members held accountable? What kind of feedback mechanism do you have in place such that members have ongoing ways to hold you accountable?
How do coalition members receive credit from you internally and externally for their contributions to the overall work?
What is your role as a coalition leader in ensuring that individual organizational goals are in alignment with overall network goals?

Required Attachments Checklist

Current fiscal year organization budget identifying anticipated revenue sources
Project budget (please show organization budget in one column and corresponding project expenses in another)
Statement of financial position (balance sheet) - current and most recent year end
Year-to-date statement of activities (profit and loss statement)
Most recent Form 990
Most recent audit including management letter and auditor’s notes
Board of Directors list
Current strategic plan