1. Analyze persuasion strategies

1.a. Review documents for rhetorical appeals
1.b. Identify methods of persuasion in documents
1.c. Appraise credibility of author
1.d. Interpret concerns of sponsor organizations
1.e. Identify rhetorical appeals
1.f. Distinguish sponsor values
1.g. Document applicant credibility
1.h. Apply proposal logic
1.i. Examine proposal psychology and logic

2. Evaluate Request for Proposals (RFPs)

2.a. Summarize the motivations of sponsors in an RFP
2.b. Match evaluation criteria with needs of receiving organization
2.c. Identify ambiguities and discrepancies in RFP
2.d. Compare funding timeframe to needs of receiving organization
2.e. Assess for relevance
2.f. Assess for feasibility
2.g. Assess for probability
2.h. Analyze evaluation criteria
2.i. Ascertain funds availability
2.j. Confirm acceptable uses for funds
2.k. Distinguish alternative terms
2.l. Identify background/problem
2.m. Establish priority funding areas
2.n. Determine methodological approaches
2.o. Analyze timelines

3. Explore funding options for grant projects

3.a. Access appropriate funding sites
3.b. Prioritize funding opportunities to match needs of receiving organization
3.c. Prepare professional communication plan for contacting funding organizations
3.d. Discern appropriate persuasive strategies for grant project
3.e. Match request with appropriate grant funders
3.f. Identify sponsor priorities
3.g. Access grant directories
3.h. Distinguish between public and private funding
3.i. Compose grant appeals
3.j. Explain strategies for personal contact

4. Create systematic approach to writing grants

4.a. Create questions and communication to help gather information for writing the grant
4.b. Construct professional, polished model scripts to use for preproposal contacts
4.c. Plan questions using PREP method
4.d. Practice requesting application forms and guidelines
4.e. Construct appropriate communication for contacting past grantees
4.f. Construct appropriate communication for contacting reviewers
4.g. Construct appropriate communication for contacting program officers

5. Write elements of a proposal

5.a. Use persuasive methods to compose all components of a grant proposal
5.b. Proofread all sections for punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, and usage
5.c. Compose an introduction
5.d. Describe the need or problem
5.e. Explain methodology
5.f. Determine evaluation methods
5.g. Predict methods of dissemination
5.h. Summarize project in abstract
5.i. Compose a cover letter

6. Modify proposal appearance

6.a. Revise grant materials to adhere to requirements in RFP
6.b. Maximize document design to make proposal appealing to reviewers
6.c. Create images that enhance and clarify the narrative within the proposal
6.d. Modify materials to match sponsor materials
6.e. Comply with style and layout requirements
6.f. Adhere to format requirements
6.g. Prepare charts and graphs to enhance materials
6.h. Select transitions to add coherence to narrative
6.i. Use white space for readability

7. Develop letter proposal

7.a. Create a persuasive short proposal that anticipates funding organization's concerns and motivations
7.b. Demonstrate credibility and professional communication skills in written document
7.c. Proofread for grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and usage
7.d. Use proper business letter format
7.e. Compare letter proposals to full grant proposals
7.f. Summarize project elements
7.g. Create ancillary materials appropriate for letter proposals

8. Value responsible grant stewardship

8.a. Write a plan for post-funding activities
8.b. Consider funding organization's expectations for use of grant funds
8.c. Emphasize planned sustainability methods
8.d. Prepare plan for site visits
8.e. Review plans to meet grant terms and conditions
8.f. Explain publicity plan for grant award
8.g. Investigate options for developing rapport with grantee

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