WRITING NEEDS STATEMENT

1. WRITING NEEDS STATEMENT ©2009 William Holmes Grantsmanship and Fundraising College of Public and Community Service University of Massachusetts at Boston

2. NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:1 • Definition of need • Example of need • Extent of need • Seriousness of need • Relevant Contributing Factors

3. NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:2 • Effects of not meeting need • Current benefits of meeting need • Effects of meeting additional need • Gaps in current Services • Opportunities in current service

4. NEED STATEMENT ELEMENTS:3 • Basis in: • research, • promising approaches, • best practices, and • meta-analysis • Rejection of alternative strategies • Argument that condition will worsen • Discussing costs of intervention versus costs of non-intervention—human and dollar costs

5. NEED STATEMENT AIMS: 1 • Demonstrate knowledge of literature on problem without being pedantic • Demonstrate knowledge of interventions • Demonstrate awareness of barriers and plans for addressing

6. NEED STATEMENT AIMS: 2 • Demonstrate you problem is the same as that targeted by funder • Demonstrate your approach is the best possible • Demonstrate your approach has implications for others

7. NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 1 • Summarize similar data or literature • Clarify extent, incidence, prevalence, and severity • Note significant subpopulations • Compare locale to other towns, counties, states, or nation—especially if worse than previously funded target site

8. NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 2 5. Note what makes your problem unique • Note what makes your approach unique • Note gaps in existing research or programs • Note important changes over time

9. NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 3 • Do not exaggerate or make extreme statements • Avoid circular reasoning • Use consistent style • Check for typos and formatting errors • Write for audience

10. NEEDS STATEMENT WRITING GUIDELINES: 4 • Cite major authors • Cite panel authors • Cite organization reports • Have complete references

11. GRANT TIPS: 1 • Have a plan • Believe they want to give you money • Play to organization’s strengths • Show how this fits with organization’s future • Be positive • Reuse good material

12. GRANT TIPS: 2 • Be confident • Be clear • Detail budget • Provide products • Pay attention to grant guidelines • Look professional, but not expensive

13. GRANT TIPS: 3 • Follow instructions exactly • Connect budget with program activity • Pay attention to scoring weights • Have one voice for proposal • Proofread proposal • Write abstract last and tie to goals