Below are the outlines of the content required for a Phase I proposal. All proposals will include Organization Information completed online as Step 1. Step 2 will be completing the proposal outline. In addition, all Small Grants and Large Grants Divisions will complete proposal outline responses online in a short-answer format. 

Note that the last portion of the proposal submission process, Step 3, includes certification by an officer of your organization confirming that the organization is a nonprofit, it is committed to the project as proposed, the organization has reviewed and approved the Phase I proposal, and a conflict of interest disclosure has been completed.

Step 1) Organization Information (Completed online)
Step 2) Proposal Outline (Completed online in short answer format)

• Proposal Abstract: In a 250-word or less abstract/summary, clearly define the issue and the proposed solution(s) to address.
• Proposal Body
  1. Need/Problem Statement & Target Service Area (What is the project’s purpose, and who is expected to benefit from it?) 400 words or less
  2. Intended Outcomes & Measurements (What methods will be used in Phase I to validate the need and measure the impact in a Phase II implementation?) 300 words or less
  3. Innovation or Expansion  (Is this proposed project best categorized as a new service or an expansion of  an existing service for your organization?) Pick one!
  4. Potential Collaborations & Project Sustainability (If this project continues to be implemented in Phase II, who are the ideal community partners, and how might it sustain itself after the initial funding period?) 300 words or less
  5. Use of Funds (What will the requested Phase I funds be used for?) 300 words or less

Step 3) Proposal Certification (Completed online)

• Click here to download a 2026 Small and Large Grants Division Phase I Proposal Outline in PDF format.