A proposal does not stand alone; it's part of a process that includes research on, outreach to and cultivation of potential foundation donors. It's often the only opportunity to communicate with a foundation, so your proposal needs to educate the grantmaker about your project and Purdue University and motivate the prospective grantmaker to make a gift.

Preparing a Successful Proposal

• Organize your thoughts. A proposal must deliver critical ideas quickly and easily.
• Be clear, concise and compelling.
• Avoid jargon, acronyms and adjectives. Use facts, backed up by sources, to support your work. Avoid saying things like, “The exciting CAM project will allow CoT’s BCTM to pursue necessary STEM initiatives,” and instead say, “This project will serve the state with the most reliance on manufacturing jobs. Source: US Department of Labor.”
• The project overview should answer who, what, when, where, why and how.
• Break up narratives with bullets, lists, outlines, diagrams and tables.
• Follow guidelines. Match headings in the proposal to headings in the guidelines so the reader doesn't have to hunt for needed information.
• Build in evaluation, sustainability and dissemination plans.
• Budgets should note who else will support the project. Foundations like to see funding from other foundations.
• Ask someone unfamiliar with your field and your project to read the draft.

Components of a letter of inquiry (PDF)