Just as it is important to define terminology in a proposal so the reader understands what it means at your local level, it is also important to define what I will call concepts.
Concepts are often general phrases used to describe conditions or behaviors that are the foundation of a proposal—quality of life, at-risk youth, lack of parental involvement in local schools, environmental quality.
These phrases steer the reader in the right direction, but are not descriptive or quantitative. How do you describe “quality of life” in quantitative terms so you can measure a change in those conditions (Outcomes)?
Not: “Many seniors in our area who live alone suffer from a poor quality of life.”
Instead: “A survey of 100 seniors living alone in Grant City found that:
· Only 17 had social contacts each month outside of immediate family;
· Only 23 participated in at least two group social activities (church, Bingo, reading group, lunch at the senior center) each month;
· 40 had only one family member to call upon in a crisis."
Each of these is a measurable behavior or condition that impacts quality of life. This means you will be able to measure change that takes place as a result of your program. Your proposal will be much more believable as a result.
Let’s look at “lack of parental involvement” in a school. What measurable behaviors can you use to define what it means?
Not: Our elementary school has low levels of parental involvement, which impacts children’s educational experience.
Instead: In our elementary school with a student body of 400:
· Only 29% of parents participated in parent/teacher conferences
· Just 32% of families attended family events at the school
· Only 11 parents volunteered in the classroom or at events
Again, each of these is a measurable behavior that defines “parental involvement” and allows you to measure a change.
Clearly defining your “concepts” will add a great deal of clarity for the reader. The reader will not be required to guess at what you mean; or to apply their own definition of the concept - which may not match your own.
Susan Chandler is an independent consultant to nonprofit organizations.
