What is the role of the proposal in the application process?

It is important to understand that the proposal is just one step in the grant application process. What many NGOs seem to think of the proposal process:

  1. Project idea!
  2. Send proposal
  3. Implement program!

This 3-step model is not wrong, but very simplistic and puts too much focus on the proposal as key to fundraising and implementing programs. Before working on the proposal, there is a lot of planning, discussion with beneficiaries and experts, research etc., that goes into a proposal. Proposals are very important for receiving funding from institutional donors, however it is only one of many tools needed to garner support.

A more accurate description of proposal process might look like this:

  1. Project idea!
  2. Research
  3. Plan project
  4. More research
  5. Refine plan
  6. Even more research
  7. Turn plan into proposal
  8. More research
  9. Refine plan
  10. Even more research
  11. Turn plan into proposal
  12. Send letter of inquiry
  13. Discuss with donor
  14. Send proposal
  15. Negotiate with donor
  16. Receive funding
  17. Implement program!

For more on this process, see: What is the Grant Cycle?


About the author

Alta Alonzi

Alta Alonzi is a writer and researcher focusing on international development funding and grassroots NGOs. She works with the fundraising consulting company Philantropia conducting research for clients ranging from small NGOs to UN organizations. She also works closely with FundsforNGOs running training webinars, contributing resource guides, and updating the Premium donor database.

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Abhisekh
Abhisekh
6 years ago

I alwsys thought prooosal is application. 😑

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