SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK A FUNDING OFFICIAL
- Do you look favorably on early submission of proposals?
- Do you have any preferences in proposal content? format? length? style?
- What do your reviewers look for in proposals? Do you have a scoring system for proposals?
- What are your current granting priorities? Will there be other preferences given to proposals from a particular geographic area?
- Can we submit more than one proposal to you?
- Do you review draft proposals?
- Are there any unannounced programs your agency or organization is working on which are appropriate for our organization? Do you consider unsolicited proposals?
- Is this project idea eligible for funding under your guidelines?
- What do you recommend we do to improve our project design?
- Is our budget estimate within your guidelines?
- My research indicates that your deadlines were ___________ last year– will they be the same this year?
- Would you give us a list of past grantees?
- Can you suggest other funders appropriate for this project? Will you introduce us to them?
- May we see one or two proposals you’ve funded as a sample of style and format?
- How many copies of my proposal could you use? If I provide all you need, should I bind them in an inexpensive binder?
- Would you share a copy of your organization’s annual report if a copy is available?
Information for this document provided by Cathy Graham, Area Specialized Agent, Resource Development
Revised 2/08/2006
