CGA Grant Writing & Proposal Development 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a competitive grant proposal, the evaluation plan section should describe:
- How funds will be allocated across budget categories
- The methods used to measure whether project objectives were achieved (Correct answer)
- Staff qualifications and organizational history
- A list of partner organizations and their roles
Correct answer: The methods used to measure whether project objectives were achieved
The evaluation plan outlines the data collection methods, tools, and analysis approaches that will determine whether the project met its stated objectives.
Question 2: Which budget category typically includes costs for travel, office supplies, and printing in a grant proposal?
- Personnel
- Indirect Costs
- Direct Costs – Other Than Personnel (Correct answer)
- Fringe Benefits
Correct answer: Direct Costs – Other Than Personnel
Supplies, travel, and printing are classified under direct costs other than personnel (also called 'Other Direct Costs') in most federal and foundation budgets.
Question 3: A sustainability plan in a grant proposal primarily addresses:
- Environmental impact of the project
- How the program will continue after grant funding ends (Correct answer)
- The organization's carbon footprint reduction goals
- Annual auditing procedures
Correct answer: How the program will continue after grant funding ends
Funders want assurance that successful programs will outlast the grant period, so the sustainability plan describes future funding sources or revenue strategies.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a needs assessment in grant proposal development?
- To outline the budget justification for each line item
- To document the gap between current conditions and desired outcomes in the target population (Correct answer)
- To describe the qualifications of proposed project staff
- To summarize the organization's previous grant history
Correct answer: To document the gap between current conditions and desired outcomes in the target population
A needs assessment gathers and presents evidence—often through data, surveys, or focus groups—that a problem exists and requires intervention.
Question 5: When a grant proposal requires 'matching funds,' the applicant must:
- Return unspent grant dollars at year end
- Contribute a specified share of the project cost from non-grant sources (Correct answer)
- Match staff hours with volunteer hours only
- Submit identical proposals to multiple funders
Correct answer: Contribute a specified share of the project cost from non-grant sources
Match requirements obligate the grantee to provide a defined percentage or dollar amount of project costs from non-federal or non-funder sources to demonstrate shared investment.
Question 6: Which of the following is considered an 'in-kind' match contribution?
- A cash transfer from the organization's operating budget
- Donated volunteer time valued at fair market rate (Correct answer)
- A line of credit from the organization's bank
- Federal dollars passed through a state agency
Correct answer: Donated volunteer time valued at fair market rate
In-kind contributions include non-cash resources such as volunteer labor, donated space, or equipment valued at their fair market rate.
Question 7: Which narrative element distinguishes an organization's 'capacity' section from its 'approach' section?
- Capacity describes what will be done; approach describes who will do it
- Capacity describes the organization's qualifications; approach describes how the project will be implemented (Correct answer)
- Capacity lists outcomes; approach lists inputs
- Capacity is optional; approach is required
Correct answer: Capacity describes the organization's qualifications; approach describes how the project will be implemented
The capacity section demonstrates that the organization has the infrastructure, experience, and staff to execute the project, while the approach describes the actual program activities and methods.
CGA Grant Writing & Proposal Development 3
In a competitive grant proposal, the evaluation plan section should describe: