PLANNING FOR
FINANCIAL SUCCESS
WORKBOOK
Part 4
Planning for Financial Success
Table of Contents
Session 1: Strategic Pre-Proposal Work
Overview of Program and/or Agency
Program/Agency/Partner Stakeholders
Pre-Proposal Conceptualization Worksheet
Session 2: Putting the Pieces Together
Rapid Response Documents
Applicant Organization Information
Facilities and Resources
Project Performance Site
Key Personnel Profile
Biographical Sketch
Subject Matter Expertise
Internal Staff Capacity
Preparing for a Proposal (homework)
Developing an Abstract
Proposal Timeline/Checklist
Developing a Budget
Handouts
RFA Example
Session 3: Submitting a Strong Proposal
Grant Parts Checklist
RFA Review Criterion table/crosswalk
Logic Model
Evaluation Plan Template
Evaluation Resources
Session 4: Now what? How to Repurpose your Proposal
Funding Sources
Proposal Briefs
Resources
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Planning for Financial Success
Potential Funding Sources
This list contains some of the most common federal, foundational and non-governmental
funding sources.
Federal (www.grants.gov)
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the lead Federal agency charged with supporting
research to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans.
http://www.ahrq.gov/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supports research that creates knowledge, tools and
interventions that people and communities need to protect their health through health promotion,
prevention of diseases, injury and disability, and preparedness for threats at home and abroad.
http://www.cdc.gov/funding/
Nation Institutes of Health (NIH) provides leadership and direction to programs designed to improve the
health of the Nation by conducting and supporting research. NIH is the largest source of funding for
medical research in the world, creating hundreds of thousands of high-quality jobs by funding thousands
of scientists in universities and research institutions in every state across America and around the globe.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the U.S. government’s principal agency for
protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially for those who
are least able to help themselves. HHS is responsible for almost a quarter of all federal outlays and
administers more grant dollars than all other federal agencies combined http://www.hhs.gov/grants/
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care by strengthening
the health care workforce, building healthy communities and achieving health equity. HRSA’s programs
provide health care to people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable.
http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/index.html
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral
health of the nation. SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on
America's communities. http://www.samhsa.gov/grants
Foundations
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is committed to improving access to healthy choices by
changing policies, environments and social norms; and working to improve the public health system
through public health systems and services research. http://www.rwjf.org/
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives by seeking to
ensure that all people – especially those with the fewest resources – have access to the opportunities
they need to succeed in school and life. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/
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Planning for Financial Success
WK Kellogg Foundation is an independent, private foundation guided by the belief that all children
should have an equal opportunity to thrive. WKKF works with communities to create conditions for
vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. http://www.wkkf.org/
Paul G. Allen Family Foundation looks for opportunities to fund programs in the Allen family’s areas of
interest – the arts, financial empowerment, libraries, education and science and technology – that
jumpstart meaningful change. http://www.pgafoundations.com/
NW Health Foundation seeks to advance, support, and promote health in Oregon and southwest
Washington. By providing grants to initiatives, forming partnerships with health and community leaders,
and advocating for policy change, they are furthering our vision of giving every person the opportunity to
lead a healthy life. http://www.northwesthealth.org/
Businesses, Associations or Organizations
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) supports efforts that protect and
improve the health of all people and all communities by promoting national policy, developing resources
and programs, seeking health equity, and supporting local public health practice and systems.
http://naccho.org/
Google.org brings together philanthropic initiatives across Google. Our Global Impact Awards support
organizations using technology and innovative approaches to make the world a better place. Our
engineers develop products to help people in times of need. Nonprofits receive support through free and
discounted ads, apps and products. https://plus.google.com/+googleorg/
Boeing applies its unique competencies toward sustainable, measureable growth and self-sufficiency for
the organizations that they partner with. Boeing looks for partnerships with organization that are
leaders in what they do, that promote diversity, demonstrate innovation and align and collaborate with
others toward common workable solutions to community issues.
http://www.boeing.com/boeing/companyoffices/aboutus/community/
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) provides advocacy, education
and training to those in the family planning and reproductive health care fields.
http://www.nationalfamilyplanning.org/
Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) “promoting public health, fostering uniformity, and
establishing partnerships” http://www.afdo.org/
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Planning for Financial Success
Proposal Briefs
Structure of a proposal brief
Issue: one sentence summary
Recommendation: one or two sentences
Background: several paragraphs to more than half a page
•
Explanation of problem and why it matters
•
Carefully selected information that is most important and meaningful to audience
•
Description of past efforts, assessments, or discussions that may be remembered by anyone
involved
Discussion: several paragraphs to more than half a page
•
Strong statement of program/project implications, practical impact, etc.
•
Identification of alternative approaches
•
Concise discussion of pros and cons of alternatives
•
Explanation of why particular proposal is preferred
•
Additional information, if appropriate, about implementation steps or opportunities
Conclusion or Summary: several sentences to one paragraph
•
Brief statement of key facts, implications, key alternatives, and justification of preferred
proposal
Length: Maximum one page front and back. Additional supporting information can either be
attached or mentioned as being available.
Title or Subject: Carefully craft to be clear and engaging (if memorandum, use “Subject” not “Title”)
Format: Your organization may have preferred formats (which may not be explicit until you violate
them), which may vary over time. Ask in advance!
Characteristics of an effective proposal brief
•
Focused – all aspects of the brief (from the message to the layout) need to strategically focus on
achieving the intended goal of convincing the target audience. For example, the argument
provided must build on what they do know about the problem, provide insight about what they
don’t know about the problem and be presented in language that reflects their values, i.e., using
ideas, evidence, and language that will convince them.
•
Professional, not academic
•
Evidence-based
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Planning for Financial Success
•
Limited – to provide an adequately comprehensive but targeted argument within a limited space,
the focus of the brief needs to be limited to a particular problem or area of a problem.
•
Succinct
•
Understandable – clear and simple language; no jargon; a well explained and easy to follow
argument
•
Accessible –subdivide the text using clear descriptive titles to guide the reader.
•
Promotional – the proposal brief should catch the eye of the potential audience
•
Practical and feasible –the brief must provide arguments based on what is actually happening
in practice and propose recommendations which seem realistic
Tips for writing clearly
•
Use short sentences and short paragraphs: make a key idea or argument explicit within the
first sentence of the paragraph with other sentences being used to develop and amplify the idea.
•
Construct and connect paragraphs to guide readers from one topic to the next, along a logical
train of thought.
•
Write concisely: use no unnecessary words or sentences
•
Avoid using jargon and technical terms: if this is not possible then define terms clearly in the
main text or at least in a box that can be easily spotted.
•
Spell out acronyms when they are first used
•
Use figures and graphs, but make sure they are clearly and consistently labeled, not too
complex and easily interpretable
•
Use clear, descriptive titles for headings and sub-headings that lead the reader through the
document
•
Avoid using general terms like ‘large’ and ‘most of’ without qualification
•
Use the language of the stakeholder you are targeting; try to use concepts, expressions and
terminology that is familiar to the stakeholder
Common pitfalls to avoid
•
Action recommendation or proposal is missing or mushy
•
Problems and issues well-described but not clearly linked to recommendation
•
Discussion focuses excessively on the problem and little about the possible solutions
•
Prematurely wedded to your own selection or statement of the evidence, analysis, or
recommendations
•
Using jargon, acronyms, etc.
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Planning for Financial Success
•
Burying the main points in too much detail
•
Losing the interest of the audience before getting to the main point!
•
Supporters sound like they are making different proposals
•
Team members discover or air differences of interpretation or approach midway into the process
– or in public settings
•
Being unwilling to rethink the evidence, analysis, or recommendations
•
Assuming that “the facts will speak for themselves”
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Planning for Financial Success
Sample Proposal Brief
The Public Health Management Certificate Program
Sharpening the Management Skills of Your Organization. Making a Difference in
Public Health.
The Need
How Your Organization Benefits
Most public health managers are trained in a specific
public health discipline, but few have had any specific
training in management.
Recent surveys of the public health workforce in the
Northwest region have confirmed that management
training is seen as a high priority need.
Improving the management skills of the public health
workforce will enable public health practitioners to be
more effective in using current resources and increase
their ability to bring in additional resources, resulting in
stronger public health services and healthier
communities.
As the public health workforce ages, many agencies
need to factor in staff attrition and succession
planning.
Having scholars work on a real and timely issue as their
integrated project will address your organization’s
needs right now.
Key Components of the Program
By strengthening the skill set of the public health
workforce, this program will set up your organization
up to better prepared for the future to deal with staff
attrition and succession planning.
The curriculum covers management competencies
selected from core competencies developed by the
Council on Linkages between Academia and Public
Health Practice.
Integrated Projects
The program begins with a 4-day onsite session,
providing orientation to the program and distancelearning didactic methods used, and to acquaint the
scholars with each other which will foster continued
engagement throughout the program.
Projects are classified into one of three categories: a
feasibility/business plan; a quality improvement plan;
or an evaluation plan.
Core courses are presented through a series of online
courses and webinars. Curriculum topics will fall within
three domains: managing people and teams, managing
money, and managing information.
The integrated projects ensure that the curriculum
strengthens the agency as quickly as possible.
Elective courses will be taken at the participant’s
discretion throughout the 12-month period to allow a
customized approach to their learning.
For More Information
Scholars work on integrated projects that carry
throughout the entire program, incorporating the
didactic learning and applying their learning to realworld events.
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Scholars are placed into learning teams and assigned a
project mentor.
If you would like to discuss further the opportunity to
bring the Public Health Management Certificate
program to your agency, please contact:
Janell Blackmer
206.616.9414
jla@uw.edu