1 Goals and Objectives & 2 Methods & Week 3 Discussion

Winning_Grants_Step_by_Step_5.pdf

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Step 5 Developing the Methods

THE METHODS AN ORGANIZATION USES to reach its objectives are the focus of this step. Grantseekers look at the elements of the methods compo- nent of a proposal and learn how to use a time line to more easily see what will happen. Using a worksheet and examples, organizations can write their methods for the objectives developed in Step Four.

Purpose of the Methods Component

The problem statement is clearly articulated, and the goals and objectives are set. The methods component of the proposal systematically walks funders through the strategies the organization proposes to carry out in order to accomplish its objectives. Methods answer this key question: how will an organization actually accomplish its work?

Content of the Methods Component

Methods—also frequently referred to as strategies—are detailed descriptions of the activities an organization will implement to achieve the ends specifi ed in its objectives. However they are referred to, this section of the proposal should clearly spell out the methods to be used and give the reasons for choosing them. Any research supporting the use of these methods—such as their previous success or, if the methods are untested, data that support the assertion that these methods might prove successful—should be included. This section should also address whether the methods selected are already in place within the organization and simply being replicated by the program, or whether they are new. Finally, this section should describe who will staff the program and their qualifi cations, and identify the client population to be served, along with a justifi cation of why this population was selected.

O'Neal-McElrath, Tori, and Mim Carlson. Winning Grants Step by Step : The Complete Workbook for Planning, Developing and Writing Successful Proposals, John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated, 2013. ProQuest Ebook Central, http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/ashford-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1469450. Created from ashford-ebooks on 2022-03-16 10:15:38.

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50 Winning Grants Step by Step

To develop the methods component, answer the following questions:

1. What are the elements that are infl exible (such as date of completion, dollars available, staffi ng needed)?

2. What activities need to be carried out in order to meet the objectives?

3. What are the starting and ending dates of these activities?

4. Who has responsibility for completing each activity?

5. How will participants be selected? (This question is not applicable to all projects.)

6. How was this methodology determined to be the best one to solve the problem presented? Does it build on models already in existence, or is it a different approach? If it is different, why is it different? And why did the organization select it?

The methods section should be realistic—the organization should be able to complete the proposed activities within the time frame stated in the proposal using the available resources. For proposals with multiple objec- tives and methods, it is a good idea to include a timeline showing when each method will start and fi nish. The accompanying Sample Timeline for the Swim 4 Life Program shows one way to chart a nonprofi t’s activities on a timeline.

Tips for Writing the Methods Component

• Align the organization’s methods to the program’s objectives and problem statement.

• Tie the methods to the resources being requested in the program bud- get. Each activity should match its corresponding cost exactly.

• Explain the rationale for choosing these methods; talk in terms of research fi ndings, best practices, expert opinion, and the organiza- tion’s past experience with similar programs.

• Spell out the facilities and capital equipment that will be available for the project.

• Build various activity phases on top of one another to move the effort toward the desired results. Include a timeline.

• Be sure to discuss who will be served and how they will be chosen.

• Do not assume that the funder knows about the nonprofi t, its target audience, or what it proposes to accomplish.

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Step 5—Developing the Methods 51

Sample Timeline (Abbreviated Version)

Activity Month 1 2 3 4 5 6

Contact the point person at Cooper-

ville and set up planning meeting.

Hold fi rst meeting with point person

at Cooperville, the PE teacher, and a

representative of the PTA.

Hold follow-up meeting with the

point person at Cooperville and

the point person at Rockmore to

coordinate pool usage.

Create recruitment materials for

new site.

Update all recruitment materials to

incorporate Cooperville.

Develop and fi nalize the specifi c

outreach strategies for all sites that

specifi cally incorporate Cooperville.

Schedule an Interested Parents meet-

ing and student assembly at Cooper-

ville and recruit/confi rm at least fi ve

parents from the other two schools to

provide testimonials for both pro-

grams.

Finalize the evaluation tools for the

Cooperville site.

Recruit a minimum of 25 students for

the program.

Offi cially launch the project at Cooper-

ville with a public event that will fea-

ture Jane Swimmer, program founder

and hometown hero, as well as Tia

Jones, program manager.

Evaluate and document progress at

the new site.

X X X X

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Winning Grants Step by Step52

Look over the Sample Methods Component for the Swim 4 Life program. Then develop the organization’s methods by completing Worksheet 5.1, which should list the key elements of the organization’s planned program. Finally, use the Methods Review Questions to review the organization’s methods in the same way the questions were deployed in the organization’s program statement and goals and objectives.

Sample Methods Component Our primary objective in 2013 for the Swim 4 Life Program will employ the methods as outlined below. These methods have been proven successful as they are the same methods we used to launch our program at our current two school sites: Arthur Schomburg Middle School and the Rockmore Education Complex High School. It should be noted that Cooperville Middle School is located in Abbington, where Rockmore is also located, and we fully intend to leverage the relationships we’ve already established.

OBJECTIVE

To increase the swimming competence and confi dence of the underserved youth in the Gathenton School District by adding Cooperville Middle School and increasing overall student participation by 25 percent within one full school year.

METHODS

• Swim 4 Life program manager will recruit a point person on staff at Cooperville who has a specifi c interest in the program.

• The Cooperville point person will work in collaboration with the program manager to • Create a small task force inclusive of the physical education teacher and a representative of the PTA • Hold a short series of meetings with the program manager, the Cooperville task force, and a point

person from the Rockmore task force to share best practices, lay out the recruitment plan, agree on the evaluation plan and specifi c benchmarks, and coordinate schedules for the use of the pools

• Create specifi c recruitment materials for the Cooperville site and update the general program materials to incorporate Cooperville as a new site

• Host an Interested Parents meeting and separate Interested Students assembly at Cooperville, making sure we recruit and confi rm at least fi ve parents and students from the two other program sites to provide testimonials about the program at the meeting and assembly

• Launch a time specifi c recruitment period targeting a minimum of twenty-fi ve kids • Once offi cially launched, the program manager will formally chart the progress of each participant,

noting the specifi c benchmarks along the way as established in the evaluation.

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Step 5—Developing the Methods 53

WORKSHEET 5.1:

Methods Exercise

Task and

Subtasks

Person(s)

Responsible

Resources

Needed

Start and Finish

Dates

On the Web

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Winning Grants Step by Step54

Methods Review Questions

1. Do the methods discussed in the proposal derive logically from the problem statement and the goals and objectives?

2. Do the methods present the program activities to be undertaken?

3. Has the grantseeker explained why they selected the specifi c methods or activities?

4. Has the grantseeker explained the timing and order of the specifi c activities?

5. Is it clear who will perform specifi c activities? And do their creden- tials and/or experience demonstrate that they are appropriate to carry out the activities of the program?

6. Given the organization’s projected resources, are the proposed activi- ties feasible?

If an organization is following along with each step, including testing each proposal component against the questions at the end of each, it is now in prime position to be successful in the next step: developing the evaluation component, which is Step Six.

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