Grant Writing Grant Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'logic model' refer to in grant writing?
- A visual framework showing the relationship between resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes (Correct answer)
- A mathematical formula for calculating grant amounts
- A checklist of required grant application components
- A scoring rubric used by funders to evaluate proposals
Correct answer: A visual framework showing the relationship between resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes
A logic model is a visual tool that maps how a program's inputs and activities lead to intended outputs and outcomes.
Question 2: Which section of a grant proposal describes how program success will be measured?
- Executive summary
- Evaluation plan (Correct answer)
- Budget narrative
- Organizational capacity
Correct answer: Evaluation plan
The evaluation plan outlines the methods, tools, and timelines used to assess whether program goals and objectives were achieved.
Question 3: What is a 'letter of inquiry' (LOI) in the grant process?
- A formal contract between funder and grantee
- A brief preliminary document sent to a funder to gauge interest before submitting a full proposal (Correct answer)
- A thank-you letter sent after receiving a grant
- A reference letter from a partner organization
Correct answer: A brief preliminary document sent to a funder to gauge interest before submitting a full proposal
An LOI is a short document that summarizes your project to determine if the funder is interested before investing time in a full proposal.
Question 4: In grant writing, what is 'capacity building'?
- Expanding physical office space for a nonprofit
- Strengthening an organization's skills, systems, and resources to improve effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Hiring additional grant writers on staff
- Increasing the number of grant applications submitted annually
Correct answer: Strengthening an organization's skills, systems, and resources to improve effectiveness
Capacity building refers to activities that improve an organization's ability to achieve its mission sustainably over time.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of a 'needs statement' in a grant proposal?
- To list the organization's financial needs for the fiscal year
- To demonstrate that a significant problem exists that the proposed project will address (Correct answer)
- To explain why the grant writer needs professional development
- To summarize the funder's philanthropic priorities
Correct answer: To demonstrate that a significant problem exists that the proposed project will address
The needs statement uses data and evidence to establish that a real, urgent problem exists that justifies funding.
Question 6: Which type of grant typically requires the most detailed financial reporting?
- General operating support grants
- Planning grants
- Federal government grants (Correct answer)
- Corporate sponsorship grants
Correct answer: Federal government grants
Federal grants require rigorous financial documentation and compliance reporting due to strict regulatory requirements and oversight obligations.
Question 7: What does 'indirect costs' mean in a grant budget?
- Costs that cannot be directly linked to a specific project but are necessary for organizational operations (Correct answer)
- Costs paid to subcontractors instead of direct staff
- Unexpected expenses that arise after the grant period begins
- Costs that funders prefer not to fund
Correct answer: Costs that cannot be directly linked to a specific project but are necessary for organizational operations
Indirect costs (also called overhead) are operational expenses like rent, utilities, and administrative salaries that support but aren't exclusive to the grant project.
Grant Writing Grant Writing 2
What does the term 'logic model' refer to in grant writing?