Proposal Toolkit

How do I begin?

• Begin by reading over Foundation Funding.
• Using those basics, search for funding using one of these databases.
• Engage the OHSU Foundation by submitting your Notice of Intent Form.

I'm ready to write my proposal, what's next?

• Read over all the grant guidelines and plan your proposal or letter of inquiry. Try Karl Kapp's RFP Requirements Matrix for organizing requirements.
• Email ohsufcfr@ohsu.edu to request information needed for the proposal (tax-exempt status, audited financial statements, board lists, budgets, annual reports, etc.)
• Use the resources below to develop your letter of inquiry.

Letter of inquiry (LOI)

• What should be included? – Foundation Center

Proposals

• Proposal Writing Short Course – Foundation Center
• Guide for Proposal Writing – National Science Foundation
• Writing a Successful Grant Proposal – Minnesota Council on Foundations
• Sample Proposal – Foundation Center
• Budget Basics – Foundation Center

Program Evaluation

• Basic Guide to Program Evaluation
• Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation

Event Sponsorship

A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Corporate Sponsors at OHSU

For OHSU-hosted events (e.g. conference, symposium, workshop, congresses, summits, etc.), the OHSU Foundation can help with some -- but not all -- sponsorship requests. Because the OHSU Foundation does not have the capacity to help with all event sponsorship requests – as it diverts resources from larger, longer-term programmatic and research fundraising efforts – you/your department will be responsible for sponsorship requests to those companies and foundations not listed on the OHSU President's List. The OHSU Foundation staff can: 

1. Meet with you to strategize on how best to secure sponsorship for your event;
2. Provide assistance with requests to those companies and foundations that the OHSU Foundation has a relationship with on the OHSU President's List; and

3. Provide any institutional information or attachments that may be required (e.g. 501(c)(3) documentation, board lists, etc.)

Below is a checklist to help you find corporate sponsorship:

• Determine Fundraising Goal. Keep in mind that most companies will provide sponsorship support at the $1,000 to $5,000 level for conferences. In rare instances, for larger events with a far reaching scope, companies will sponsor at the $25,000 level.
• Identify prospects. Visit the Foundation Directory Online to start your search. You can also make a list of corporate vendors that you work with on a regular basis, and/or do a Google search on local and regional businesses. The larger your fundraising goal, the more prospects you will need. If any of your identified prospects are a part of the OHSU President's List, contact the OHSU Foundation at ohsufcfr@ohsu.edu before moving forward.
• Draft a one-page letter requesting support. This letter should include the following:
  

          - Company's connection to OHSU
          - Overview of conference
          - Highlights, such as the speaker and exposure for the company
          - Sponsorship request amount
          - Next steps including contact info
          - Include appropriate collateral material with the letter

Updated October 30, 2012