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Guidelines for Narrative

Fund for Oklahoma City Guidelines for Narrative

1. Purpose of Grant

   Describe the community need or opportunity that the project addresses.

   How did you substantiate community need for this project?

   Explain what has been done previously in the community to address this problem/issue.

   What have been the results of previous activity?

   How does the project fit in the overall goals of your organization? Please provide plan document outlining those goals.

   Describe how this grant looks beyond the institutional needs or your organization to the ultimate impact on people in our community and their quality of life.

   
   When is Fund for Oklahoma City funding needed?

   Describe the project activity and how it meets the need or opportunity. Please answer the following questions:

   What is going to happen and when will it occur? Describe activities and provide a timetable for the project?

   Who will benefit or be served by the project? Provide the anticipated number to be served as well as the geographic service area.

   Who will be involved in implementing the project? Describe roles and qualifications.

   Will other groups participate through collaboration or partnership? Describe their role and contribution.

2. Evaluation
   Applicants should provide a specific plan for establishing program goals and measuring both the outcomes and impacts of the proposed program. For the purposes of this grant:

   Outcomes are defined as statistical data generated during the course of the project, such as:
   

   • Headcount = number participating, served during the course of the project (unduplicated count for the total of the project rather than per activity)
   • Retention = number completing the program as outlined
   • Change = increase or decrease from the baseline data established at the beginning of the project

   Impacts are defined as the anecdotal stories that communicate the effect of the program or project on the community.

   The proposal narrative outlining plans for program evaluation should answer the following questions:

   1. What are the goals of the program?
   2. Based on the program goals, what outcomes are expected?
   3. What process will be used to establish the baseline of information from which outcomes, retention and changes will be measured?
   4. What kind of tool(s) will be used to measure outcomes and how will the information be quantified?
   5. How will the impacts or long-term effects of the program be collected and documented?
   6. What process, if any, will be used to measure the ultimate impact of this grant on your organization and the people in our community beyond the duration of the grant?

   Applicants may submit examples of forms or documents that will be used for the evaluation process. For examples of program evaluation tools that can be adapted as needed by applicants, please click here.

   Reporting
   Grantees will be required to submit an interim report six months into the project and a final report at the end of one year. Six month reports should include outcomes and impacts gathered to that point and may include a site visit by program staff.

   Grantees should also plan to participate in an exit interview with their program officer, either prior to or immediately after submitting the final report.

3. Budget
   Provide a complete budget, both income and expense, for the overall project even if the request is for one component of the overall project. Please identify income sources as cash or in-kind. An example of a Project Budget Example Budget in PDF Format in the preferred format is provided.

   Be specific about the amount you are requesting from the Fund for Oklahoma City.

   List other sources of funding received or being sought for this project and provide levels of support.

   In the event we are unable to fund your full request, please indicate priority items and dollar amount for each item.

4. Sustainability

   Describe the future of the activity after the grant funds are expended. Give plans for the sustainability of the activity if appropriate.

   Is your organization committed to the activity or program after the grant funds are expended? Please explain.

   Describe the project’s short-term and long-term funding plans.

Updated Jan. 2008

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