In a grant proposal, the Introduction to the Applicant Organization has two roles:
- It highlights your organization’s qualifications to address the problem described in the proposal; and
- It demonstates competence to implement the Methods, or program plan.
Like every other part of your proposal, this section is more convincing if it has factual information as proof of your accomplishments. I have read far too many proposals that are full of unproven statements and phrases, such as:
- “high quality programs”
- “exceptional results”
- “a recognized leader in the field”
- “early adopters”
My list could go on and on. All of these statements have one thing in common: they do not prove anything at all.
Not: “The Carson Alternative High School has outstanding results with troubled students. We are leaders in the field, and some of our programs are recognized both locally and nationally as exceptional.”
Instead: “The Carson Alternative High School serves 145 students. For the last five years, our graduation rate has exceeded 95%, far higher than the XYZ school district’s rate of 78%. In 2024, Carson’s Environmental Sciences program received an award from the State for exceptional services in forest restoration projects. In addition, the program received an award for innovation and excellence from the XXX Corporation, one of only 50 given nationally out of more than 1,000 applicants."
Not: "Hillview Library has long been a leader in providing a wide range of services to our diverse community."
Instead: "Hillview Library adult collection includes materials in 28 languages. The juvenile collection includes books in more than 50 languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian and 11 languages spoken in India, Tibet and Nepal. International story times are offered in eight different languages on the weekends."
You may have a large menu of information about your organization to choose from. Choose carefully, especially if space is limited. Select the information that introduces your organization’s qualifications for THIS proposal. A few carefully selected facts will be more powerful than many paragraphs of information
Susan Chandler is an independent consultant to nonprofit organizations.
