Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Setting the goal
• Part 2 of 3: Explain how your concept works
• Part 3 of 3: Reviewing the design

If you have a great idea for a new product, program, or service, writing a draft document is one way to find funding for it. Concept documents describe the purpose and expected results of the project and are provided to the potential sponsors. To be successful with this, you need to use language that is clear, passionate and expresses why your project matters, and who will benefit from it. Above all, you need to show the sponsor that your project goals align with the types of initiatives they want to support.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Setting the goal

1. Grab the reader's attention. Concept documents are intended to persuade sponsors, to convince them to finance or take over your idea. That means it is crucial to "catch" them right from the start.
   • For example, you could start your document with an attention-grabbing statistical fact related to your project: "Over 5 million kilos of food can be thrown away every year thanks to one common pest: rats."
   • Giving your draft document a descriptive title, such as “Lock the rat box: humane, hands-free rodent control,” is another great way to get attention.
2. Explain why you are approaching this sponsor. After grabbing your reader's attention, the introduction to your draft document should describe how your goals and the sponsor's mission converge. This shows the sponsor that you have done your homework and that you have serious intentions.
   • Try something like, “The Savco Foundation has long been involved in funding projects that promote healthy communities. We developed the Lock the rat box as an easy, cost-effective way to reduce disease rates and sanitation costs in municipalities and we are looking for your support for this project. ”
3. Describe the problem your project focuses on. The next section of a draft document will devote a few sentences or short paragraphs to the specific purpose of your project. Describe the problem you want to solve and illustrate how you know it exists.
4. Provide the context of the problem to explain why it is important. Show how your project relates to current affairs, questions or problems. Statistics and other numerical data can help convince why your problem matters. Some readers may also be moved by narrations or personal stories, so consider using those as well.
   • For example, your draft document may contain a statement such as: “Rats are a plague, but also a serious driving force behind diseases such as rabies and bubonic plague. Municipalities in the United States spend more than $ 20 million a year to combat these problems. ”
   • Include credentials to verify information you name.

Part 2 of 3: Explain how your concept works

1. Share the basics of your method. Even if your readers are convinced that you have identified an important problem, they still want to know that you have an idea of ​​how to fix or investigate it. Spend some time in the document describing the methods you will use.
   • For example, your project may involve building a prototype device to humanely trap rats.
   • Your methods can also include activities. For example, you can propose advertising programs to educate communities about rat problems, or send researchers to study the extent of the problem in various communities.
2. Emphasize what makes your methods unique. Keep in mind that sponsors may need to look at different applications for funding. To make sure yours is successful, you need to explain what makes your project special. Ask yourself, "What is my project doing that has never been done before?"
   • Try to use statements like, “While previous government agencies have explained rat plagues through posters, radio and television campaigns, they have not yet used social media as a means of connecting with members of the community. Our project fills that gap. ”
3. Include a timeline. You cannot expect a donor or foundation to want to finance a project for an indefinite period of time. Part of your draft document should explain the proposed timeline of executing your project.
   • For example: “February 2018: Sign a lease for a work space. End of February 2018: buy materials for prototype "Lock the rat box". March 2018: conduct exploratory tests of the prototype. ”
4. Give concrete examples of how you will evaluate your project. Sponsors want to fund projects that are likely to be successful, and part of your job in the draft document is to explain how the results of your project will be measured. For example, when you develop a product, that success can be measured in units produced and / or sold.
   • Other evaluation tools could be things like surveys to measure customer satisfaction, community engagement, or other metrics.
5. Determine a provisional budget. Sponsors will be interested in a general overview of how much your project is expected to cost. This explains the need for funding and helps the sponsor determine if the size of the project is appropriate. A concept document is a preliminary proposal, so not every detail needs to be identified, but it does provide basic cost information which may include things like:
   • Staff, including assistants
   • Material and supplies
   • To travel
   • Consultants you may need
   • Space (rent for example)
6. End with a project summary. Finish things off with a short paragraph at the end of your document, repeating the purpose of your project, your basic plan, and what you need. Focus on the essentials you want the sponsor to remember.

Part 3 of 3: Reviewing the design

1. Keep it short and tidy. Draft documents are usually short documents of 3-5 pages with double spacing. Sponsors may have many requests to read, and a draft document that is too long-winded and poorly formatted may be rejected right away.
   • If the application requires a certain format, follow the directions exactly.
   • In other cases, you should type your document in a standard font at a readable size (12 point is fine), number your pages, and use reasonable margins (1.5 centimeters around is fine).
2. Check that the language in your draft document is action-oriented. Sponsors look for projects that are well thought out and feasible. Don't hedge or do anything else that shows that you don't have absolute confidence in your project.
   • For example, avoid statements such as "We believe our product, Lock the rat box, can potentially help to at least control municipal rat infestations."
   • A stronger statement would be: "Lock the rat box will limit and in many cases completely eradicate rat infestations."
3. Use words that your reader will understand. For example, if you are writing to a scientific foundation for funding, it may be appropriate to use technical terminology. However, if you're writing to a general community organization to fund the same project, you probably need to narrow down the scientific jargon and explain important concepts so that the average reader will understand.
   • If you're writing for a general, non-expert audience, ask someone unrelated to your project to read your draft document and tell you if there are any pieces they don't understand.
4. Include contact information. Make sure the sponsor knows how to reach you by mail, email and phone. Even if you've put this information elsewhere in your project application, it's a good idea to include it in your draft document so that the sponsor doesn't have to search for it.
5. Read your final design carefully. A concept document that would otherwise be strong but full of errors, typos, and formatting errors will cast a bad light on your project.Show sponsors that you are careful, thoughtful and grateful by fine-tuning your final design before submitting it.
   • Have someone who has never read your draft review your final design before submitting it. He is more likely to find errors.