Grant Proposal Checklist and Evaluation

The Director of Stewardship and Development is available to assist parishes in the grant writing and application process.

If you do not have a copy of The Catholic Foundation Guide a recent copy is available from the Department of Stewardship and Development for your use.

A successful grant proposal is one that is well-prepared, thoughtfully planned, and concisely packaged.

Be realistic about the time and effort involved -- both in the grant-writing process and in the project itself. Know that the failure rate will be greater than your success.

Do your homework. Research extensively to find the most appropriate funders for the project you have in mind. Don't work alone. Assemble a team -- consisting of (at least) a researcher, a writer, a proofreader, and a typist -- to help with the application process.

Make sure everyone who will be involved in implementing the project also is involved in the application process. Have someone not involved in the application process check the application for clarity of content.

Once a potential grantor foundation is identified, call the contact telephone number and ask for a grant application kit. A cover letter from Bishop Christensen should always accompany a proposal.

School Grants
A collection of resources and tips to help K-12 educators apply for and obtain special grants for a variety of projects.

The following are the basic components to creating a solid proposal package:


Summary: Clearly and concisely summarizes the request

1. Appears at the beginning of the proposal
2. Indentifies the grant applicant
3. Includes at least on sentence on credibility
4. Includes one sentence on problem
5. Includes one sentence on objectives
6. Includes one sentence on methods
7. Includes total cost, funds already obtained and amount requested
8. Is brief, clear and interesting


Introduction: Describes applicants credibility and qualifications for funding

1. Clearly establishes who is applying for funds
2. Describes applicants purposes and goals
3. Describes applicants programs and activities
4. Describes applicants constituents
5. Offers statistics and support of accomplishments
6. Offers quotes and endorsements
7. Qualifications supported with research and training
8. Leads logically to problem statement
9. Brief, interesting and free of jargon


Problem Statement or Needs Assessment

1. Relates to purposes and goals of applicants parish/school
2. Project is reasonable and can be accomplished
3. Supported by statistical evidence
4. Supported by statements from authorities
5. Stated in terms of constituents needs and not parish/school needs
6. Developed with input from constituents and beneficiaries
7. Makes no unsupported assumptions
8. No jargon, interesting, brief and compelling


Objectives: Describes the outcomes of grant in measurable terms

1. At least one objective for each problem or need in the problem statement
2. Objectives are outcomes and not methods
3. Describe who will benefit
4. States the time by which objectives will be accomplished
5. Objectives should be measurable


Methods: Describes the activities to be conducted to achieve objectives

1. Flows naturally from problems and objectives
2. Clearly describes program activities
3. Describes sequence of activities
4. Describes staffing of program
5. Describes a reasonable scope of activities


Evaluation: Presents a plan for determining success

1. Plan for evaluation of accomplishments
2. Describes any evaluation reports or data gathering methods


Future Funding: Describes a plan for continuation beyond grant

1. Presents a specific plan to obtain future funding
2. If construction – describes future maintenance
3. Minimal reliance on future soft grant support


Budget: Clearly delineates cost to be met by the grant source and others

1. Tells the same story as narrative
2. Detailed in all aspects
3. Contains no unexplained amounts
4. Includes all volunteers
5. Includes all consultant fees
6. Is sufficient to perform the tasks described in narrative