NEEDS ASSESSMENT IN PROPOSAL WRITING

 

  1. This process is critical in creating a motivating and interesting proposal.
  2. Purpose: to provide a command of the facts to document the need.
  3. Key to the process: choosing the approach
  4. 5 basic needs assessment approaches:
Key Informant.
  1. Definition: soliciting information from individuals whose testimony or description of
what exists for the client population or state-of-affairs is credible--either by their position

in the community or through their experience and/or expertise.
    1. Includes: elected officials, agency heads, etc.
    2. Funders may value their opinions/insights.
  1. Advantages:
    1. Easy to design.
    2. Costs very little.
    3. You control input by what you ask and whom.
    4. Excellent way to position your organization with important people (shows you're
working on a common problem.concern).
  1. Disadvantage: Most funding sources know you have selected and included comments of
individuals sympathetic to your cause. You may be leaving out parts of the population who

have not been visible.

 Community Forum.
  1. Definition: hosting or sponsoring public meetings.
    1. You publicize the opportunity to present views of the populace.
    2. You may wish to invite key individuals to speak.
    3. Funder may like the grass roots image created by this method..
  1. Advantages:
    1. Easy to arrange.
    2. Costs very little.
    3. Increases your visibility in the community.
    4. Promotes active involvement of the populace.
  1. Disadvantages:
    1. Site of forum has performed effect on number and type of representation.
    2. You can lose control of the group and have a small vocal minority slant results or turn
meeting into forum for complaints. Case Studies/Examples.
  1. Definition: selecting individuals from the needs population or client group and providing

    2. analytical, realistic description of their problem, their use of your services, etc.

  2. Advantages:
    1. Easy to arrange.
    2. Costs very little.
    3. Increases sensitivity to the client's "real world."
    4. Very moving and motivating.
  1. Disadvantages:
    1. Your selection of a "typical" client may be biased and represent a minority of cases.
    2. You must describe one "real" person--not a composite of several put into one "example."
The anonymity of the person must be insured. Statistical Analysis.
  1. Definition: the utilization of existing data--e.g., census data/records, government studies/

    2. reports, reports and research articles--to develop a statistical picture of the needs population.

  2. Advantages:
    1. There is an abundance of studies and data.
    2. Little cost to access data.
    3. Allows for flexibility in drawing and developing conclusions.
    4. Analysis of data is catalytic in producing more projects and proposals as staff "sees" the
need.
  1. Disadvantages:
    1. It can be very time-consuming.
    2. Bias of staff show up in studies quoted.
    3. Feelings on funder's part that you can prove anything with statistics.
    4. If original data has questionable validity, your extrapolation will be inaccurate.
Survey.
  1. Definition: a very commonly used approach for gathering data on the needs population, it is

    2. useful even when carried out with volunteers and with limited statistical validity.

  2. Advantages:
    1. High credibility with funders.
    2. Excellent flexibility in design of survey to get at problem areas and document exactly what
you want to document. (c) Disadvantage: it takes time to do the survey properly.