Context is Everything: the Problem Statement

When writing a grant proposal, assume the reader doesn’t know much about your community or the challenges and problems your organization is addressing.

By providing context for the information you present, you will help the reader better understand the issues at stake in the proposal. Context can supply insight into the particular makeup and/or challenges of your community and can help create a mental picture for the reader.

Context can help clarify the Problem discussion.  For example, a food bank might provide data on the number of households that are “food insecure”. That data is important—but what does it mean? It could mean that the only reliable meal for children is a school lunch. Or it could that mean parents skip meals so their children have enough to eat. That descriptive information—context—can provide emotional impact to complement the hard data.

I often reviewed proposals that referenced the number of families living below the poverty level. But the poverty level can vary from city to city and state to state. Most readers would not know that information without doing research, so the number is meaningless by itself. Do the research for the reader, and tell them what the poverty level is for your state or even your city. An actual number provides a better picture of the situation. (FYI, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, in 2025 the Federal Poverty Level is $32,150 for a family of four in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia.) 

You can add context by using comparative data. If you are discussing crime rates, also state whether they have gone up or down in recent years, and what type of crime is included. Compare rates in your city to your state; or your state to national data.  

There is no need to go overboard. Choose information that has the highest impact, and leave the rest behind (unless you have unlimited space.) A few carefully selected descriptive details can add power to the story you are telling, and help the reader stand in your shoes.

Susan Chandler is an independent consultant to nonprofit organizations.

© Copyright 2025, The Grantsmanship Center