Getting a Yes to that Proposal!

One of the key requirements in submitting an application for grant funding for a project is the submission of a proposal, a significant hurdle which could impact whether your idea remains just that or becomes a reality. Lisa Taylor-Stone, Project Management & Research Manager at the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) says often times, the best project ideas are denied funding by donor agencies due to common pitfalls.

Have a Solid Plan

According to Mrs. Taylor-Stone, some persons are unable to demonstrate the sustainability of the project. Even though projects are not meant to be sustainable, donors tend to fund projects that can be converted into programmes over the long term. “You must be able to explain how you will spread the impact or the results of the project overtime. Many persons don’t want to fund a one off project; they want to ensure that the project is really making a difference. With entrepreneurs, it’s a bit different, because if you’re an investor, you’re going to pump money into a business and expect to get a return. But if you’re a donor, where your primary motive is charity, it is going to be difficult to give funding to an entrepreneur because their motive is profit, unless the entrepreneur is able to projectize the business. By this I mean twinning the profit element with a social good. For example, Jovan Evans’ invention of the Pump-N-Spray water system could have been projectized by twinning with a social good, which is combatting a drought,” she explained.

Obey the Rules

The research expert pointed out that one of the common pitfalls of proposal writing is failure to adhere to donor specifications and requirements. “Sometimes they ask for specific things in the proposals. Persons don’t read the call for proposals properly, so they don’t adhere to the rules and guidelines, and donors tend to be sticklers in terms of adherence to whatever that they ask for,” she said.

Dishonesty/Breach of Ethics

Mrs. Taylor-Stone cautions that honesty and transparency are critical. “For example, persons may send multiple proposals to various donors, not knowing that donors speak to each other. It’s ok to send your proposal to multiple donors, but you must declare it to all your donors. If one donor approves a portion of your request, you have a duty to inform the others that you have received part-funding and you are still requesting that they approve the remainder, so they may decide if they would like to partner with another donor,” she added.

The Project Title

Continuing, she added that applicants tend to downplay the importance of the project title, which is the first element of the proposal that donors notice. “The project title must be specific, catchy, edgy and demonstrating the purpose of the project in about ten to fifteen words. The title is what gets a lot of projects read, so it’s a strong selling point for your project and a lot of persons aren’t able to coin a captivating project title even though the project is brilliant,” she said.

Have a Qualified Team/Partner

Mrs. Taylor Stone also advises that persons should seek assistance with proposal writing. “Do not try to write a proposal on your own. It’s not a one man initiative so ensure you have a solid team with an established track record of success in the area in which you are applying for the grant, as well as a proof reader. Donors will be interested in looking at the persons who will be managing the project,” she added.

Cost Counterpart Resources

Costing your counterpart resources is also critical. “Some applicants only view counterpart as cash, not realizing that it also includes sweat equity in terms of (1) their time and (2) the equipment that will be used; these need to be valued and reflected as counterpart. In this way, you’re going to the donor with something; don’t go empty-handed because donors always want to know that you’re contributing some amount of value to the project,” she pointed out. The applicant should aim for a value that is equivalent to between 10% and 30% of the amount being requested.

Applicants are also being urged to register with local and international donor entities to keep abreast of new opportunities for funding. Mrs. Taylor-Stone is the developer of the JBDC’s ‘Tapping into Donor Funds’ Proposal Writing Workshop implemented in 2013. Since then, more than 200 persons have participated, with several benefiting from grant funding amounting to JMD$76 million in grant funding from donor entities. Participants are also able to access the JBDC’s funding registry. The next workshop is scheduled for May 17 – 19, 2016.

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Contact: Corporate Communications Unit

JBDC

Tel: 928-5161-5, exts 244, 274 or 277, SL: 930-8531

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Email: communications@jbdc.net

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