I know this is strange to put in this blog, but a lot of projects, especially in ministry, need proposals and a lot of leaders do not know how to structure them. I have sat down with some of the highest people of the land who write proposals for ghastly amounts of money.

Here are 7 basics of what you need for your projects when composing a written proposal or doing a video pitch. I was helping someone just this week with their proposal and thought I’d share the 7 Essentials with you as well.

7 Essentials for How to Construct a Proposal

1) ALWAYS start with a story that illustrates your problem/need. Never start with facts, statistics, or details or even who you are.

2) Take your listeners on a Journey of how you have come to understand the problem. You can use facts and statistics here that connect to your story.

3) Describe why it is a problem. Why hasn’t the problem already been solved? What has been done in the past that hasn’t really worked?

4) Describe how you want to solve that problem. Phases, steps, plans, etc…

5) Show how you are going to do this in a unique way that hasn’t been before.

6) Explain what you are already doing now to solve the problem, not just what you hope to do.

7) Show your credibility and why you have authority to be a solution for this problem. Your experience, your educations, your networks etc…
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If you can, try to use the words “you” and “your” throughout your presentation or letter. Professional fundraisers have a rule to use the word “you” every 20 words.

Don’t talk about the features of your project, talk about the benefits. Benefits to the people you are serving and the benefits do your donors/listeners, etc…

Use stories whenever possible to show the problem and the solution.