SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK A FUNDING OFFICIAL

1. Do you look favorably on early submission of proposals?

2. Do you have any preferences in proposal content? format? length? style?

3. What do your reviewers look for in proposals? Do you have a scoring system for proposals?

4. What are your current granting priorities? Will there be other preferences given to proposals from a particular geographic area?

5. Can we submit more than one proposal to you?

6. Do you review draft proposals?

7. Are there any unannounced programs your agency or organization is working on which are appropriate for our organization? Do you consider unsolicited proposals?

8. Is this project idea eligible for funding under your guidelines?

9. What do you recommend we do to improve our project design?

10. Is our budget estimate within your guidelines?

11. My research indicates that your deadlines were ___________ last year-- will they be the same this year?

12. Would you give us a list of past grantees?

13. Can you suggest other funders appropriate for this project? Will you introduce us to them?

14. May we see one or two proposals you've funded as a sample of style and format?

15. How many copies of my proposal could you use? If I provide all you need, should I bind them in an inexpensive binder?

16. Would you share a copy of your organization's annual report if a copy is available?

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Information for this document provided by Cathy Graham, Area Specialized Agent, Resource Development
Document created by Susan Johnson, Cumberland County Center on 11/17/99.
Revised by Roberto Cruz on 2/08/2006