Grant Writing Proposal Narrative Development 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a competitive federal grant, the project narrative section 'Project Design' is most strengthened by:
- Listing all staff salaries in narrative form
- Explaining the evidence-based model selected and why it fits the target population (Correct answer)
- Describing the history of the funding agency
- Including photographs of the service facility
Correct answer: Explaining the evidence-based model selected and why it fits the target population
Connecting the chosen model to evidence and population fit demonstrates rigorous, thoughtful program design.
Question 2: Which statement about using jargon in a grant narrative is most accurate?
- Jargon always impresses technical reviewers and should be used liberally
- Jargon should be avoided unless it is defined and widely used within the field the funder prioritizes (Correct answer)
- Jargon is only acceptable in the budget justification section
- Jargon is prohibited by most federal grant guidelines
Correct answer: Jargon should be avoided unless it is defined and widely used within the field the funder prioritizes
When funder-specific terminology is unavoidable, defining it ensures all reviewers understand the narrative equally.
Question 3: An evaluation plan within a proposal narrative should most clearly describe:
- The biography of the external evaluator
- How success will be measured, who will collect data, and how findings will be used (Correct answer)
- The cost of evaluation as a percentage of total budget
- The history of evaluation methodology in the nonprofit sector
Correct answer: How success will be measured, who will collect data, and how findings will be used
A strong evaluation plan answers what, who, and how, giving funders confidence that outcomes will be tracked rigorously.
Question 4: When a proposal narrative must address 'dissemination of results,' what should it primarily include?
- A plan for publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals only
- Strategies for sharing what was learned with relevant stakeholders and the broader field (Correct answer)
- A list of conferences the project director plans to attend
- The organization's social media follower count
Correct answer: Strategies for sharing what was learned with relevant stakeholders and the broader field
Dissemination planning shows the funder that knowledge generated will multiply beyond the grant project itself.
Question 5: Which error most commonly weakens the objectives section of a grant proposal narrative?
- Using bullet points instead of paragraph format
- Writing outcome objectives that describe activities rather than measurable changes (Correct answer)
- Listing more than five objectives
- Numbering objectives rather than lettering them
Correct answer: Writing outcome objectives that describe activities rather than measurable changes
Activity-based objectives fail to show what will actually change as a result of the project.
Question 6: What is the key distinction between a 'goal' and an 'objective' in a grant proposal narrative?
- Goals are written by program staff; objectives are written by evaluators
- Goals are broad aspirational statements; objectives are specific, measurable steps toward the goal (Correct answer)
- Goals require funder approval; objectives do not
- Goals appear in the budget; objectives appear in the evaluation plan
Correct answer: Goals are broad aspirational statements; objectives are specific, measurable steps toward the goal
Goals provide direction while objectives provide the measurable milestones used to assess progress.
Question 7: A program officer advises an applicant to 'show community buy-in' in the narrative. The most effective response is to:
- Include a longer description of the organization's founding
- Attach letters of support and describe how community members shaped project design (Correct answer)
- Restate the funder's mission statement as evidence of alignment
- Add a chart showing the organization's budget growth over five years
Correct answer: Attach letters of support and describe how community members shaped project design
Letters of support combined with evidence of community co-design demonstrate authentic stakeholder engagement.
Grant Writing Proposal Narrative Development 4
In a competitive federal grant, the project narrative section 'Project Design' is most strengthened by: