1. Follow the funding agencies guidelines, particularly concerning form and length (single- or double-spaced, number of pages, etc.). If you don't have their guidelines, get them before writing your proposal.

2. Use bold headings to subdivide your proposal. Your headings should make sense when read by a reviewer skimming over your application.

3. When responding to a government request for a proposal, follow the suggested format as closely as possible.

4. Don't try for perfection on your first draft. Get down your ideas, then edit and rewrite.

5. Have a strong first sentence.

6. Have a strong ending.

7. Make your proposal as short as possible.

8. Use a title that suggests the results you hope to achieve rather than what you plan to do. ("Improving Reading of Fifth Graders in Trenton" is better than "A proposal for Reading Machines in Trenton Schools".)

9. Write your budget first, then make sure your proposal supports each item in that budget.

10. Write your abstract or summary, last, after you have finished the major parts of your application.

11. In your abstract or summary, emphasize the benefits of your work and why the project should be funded now.

12. Make sure you indicate why this funding agency is the best source of money for this project.

13. Emphasize opportunities rather than problems whenever possible.

14. Determine your project's features and emphasize them in your proposal.

15. When possible, state the need in terms of one person.

16. Use graphs, charts, and maps to illustrate your points whenever possible.

17. Always include both "Requested from Agency" and "Cost-Sharing" columns in your budget.

18. Always include your plans for funding your project after the grant ends.

19. Use shorter rather than longer words (5-7 letters are best).

20. Use short sentences and paragraphs.

21. Use active, not passive, voice. ("ACT will build the theater in 1991" sounds better than "The theater will be completed in 1991".)

22. Personalize and tailor your proposals to individual funding agencies.

23. Use models. (A model for a three-step program could be a triangle, each corner representing a step, each side representing the relationship between the steps.)

24. Move from a specific case to a general problem.

25. Whenever possible, double-space your proposal for easy reading.

26. Include copies of endorsement letters and letters from satisfied clients in the appendices of your proposal.

27. Use indentations and bullets (see #31 for example) to break up your pages.

28. Include a cover letter addressed to a person by name (preferably someone you've spoken with).

29. Make sure your proposal flows logically from section to section. Methods should be logical extensions of objectives. Your budget should flow naturally from your proposed methods.

30. Whenever possible, have a proposal review committee give you input on strengths and weaknesses of your proposal.

31. Have an associate not directly involved in your project proofread your proposal looking for:

• grammatical mistakes,
• logical inconsistencies,
• unjustified budget items
• undefined or confusing terms
• unsupported arguments, unfounded assumptions, weak documentation, and
• ways to improve the overall impact of your proposal.

32. Know as much as you can about the funding agency before starting to write your proposal.

33. Ask the funding agency for copies of one or two funded proposals. Use them as models for your own.

34. If appropriate Quote enabling legislation, a foundation's words or annual record to show how your project fits the intent of the grant-making organization.

35. Make sure your proposal is negotiable. It should include a non-negotiable "hub" surrounded by negotiable "spokes." (Like a bicycle wheel, your project should be able to spin even if it's missing a few spokes.)