Grant Writing Needs Assessment and Program Design

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a needs assessment in a grant proposal?

Accepted Answer

To document the gap between current conditions and desired outcomes

Answer

A needs assessment documents the gap between the current situation and the desired state, providing evidence that justifies the need for funding.

Question 2

Which data source is most commonly used to support a community needs assessment in a US grant proposal?

Accepted Answer

US Census Bureau data

Answer

US Census Bureau data is widely accepted by funders as a credible, publicly available source for demographic and socioeconomic community statistics.

Question 3

A logic model in grant writing is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A visual framework linking inputs, activities, outputs, and outcomes

Answer

A logic model visually maps the relationship between program resources, activities, and the short- and long-term outcomes a project aims to achieve.

Question 4

What does the term 'theory of change' refer to in grant writing?

Accepted Answer

An explanation of how and why a program will achieve its intended outcomes

Answer

A theory of change explains the assumptions and causal pathways that connect a program's activities to its long-term goals.

Question 5

When conducting a needs assessment, what does 'primary data' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Data collected directly by the applicant through surveys, interviews, or focus groups

Answer

Primary data is original information gathered first-hand by the applicant, such as through surveys, community interviews, or focus groups.

Grant Writing Practice Test