Standard Proposal Narrative Directions

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.

Proposal narratives are limited to five pages. Please use 12-point type with one-inch margins, and number the pages. Due to the volume of proposals we receive, we cannot process incomplete applications. Your proposal narrative should include the following information using a separate section heading, as outlined below, for each of the following categories. Applicants not following the format will have their proposal returned to them.

1. Purpose and Importance

State the project’s major purpose and goals
Identify the root problem your project will address
Explain the need for the project, citing recent research and compelling evidence
Define the fit of your project request with Brico’s vision, values and funding priorities

2. Project Plan

Describe the project plan, including documentation of best practices
Explain why these methods are appropriate to achieve the stated purpose
If your request includes a line item for communications or media, please include the following as appropriate:
- Your plan for obtaining paid and unpaid media - print, electronic, traditional, alternative, web-based - to meet your goals and to further your collaboration with other groups or opinion makers. How will your plan increase your unpaid media opportunities?
- Explain your strategy for implementing that plan
- Document examples of your successes in using your media strategies and, where possible, quantify those successes, such as number of letters to the editor or op-ed commentaries published, online submissions posed, including blog comments, television or radio coverage obtained, etc.

3. Evaluation

List and describe intended project outcomes
Describe the evaluation method that will be used to measure those outcomes
Explain, in quantitative and qualitative ways, your definition of success

4. Sustainability

Describe how this project specifically will impact the funding priority, as The Brico Fund defines it, under which you applied.
Explain how the project will be continued beyond the term of a grant from The Brico Fund.

Please submit the following additional information which is required before we can process your request:

Current fiscal year organization budget identifying anticipated revenue sources
Project budget - please show organization budget in one column and corresponding project expenses in another (not required for operating support requests)
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
Current Board of Directors list
Current strategic plan