Writing a proposal for funding is often a demanding and time consuming task for project initiators. It is also a time consuming and stressful task for a Grants Review Committee and is particularly frustrating for the initiator when no funding or partial funding is received.

There are two main factors which may enhance the possibility of funding: the nature of the project, and observance of the grants review guidelines.

Grants Review Guidelines: Please read the Literacy Development Council Information /Application Guide (September 1997).

The proposal must be completed on the approved Application Form. It is much easier for the Review Committee when all proposals are consistent in format and it is easy to locate pertinent information.

In addition to the Project Review Criteria given in the Information/Application Guide, the following points based on recent reviews may be helpful.

The Council does not usually provide funds for instructors/teachers, programs without a strong literacy focus, the purchase of materials that are not an integral part of a program with well defined procedures, or computer hardware. If costs for such services as printing are involved, an estimate should be submitted.

The funding of the Literacy Development Council is not tied to TAGS or social economic conditions resulting from TAGS. All literacy proposals in all socioeconomic conditions have equal opportunity for funding.

There is an old saying, "There is nothing Each literacy new under the sun." Be sure and check if there are similar projects in existence. Your project should build on what is available. It should not duplicate what already exists.

Be consistent in using labels or names for a project or literacy group throughout the proposal.

Avoid forwarding overlapping projects from the same group/geographic area. It is best to work together and submit a collaborative proposal.

If a project has been concurrently submitted to another funding source, this should be indicated. It should be clear how much funding is being requested from each source.

The Council grant for projects is relatively small. The Council administers about $300,000 a year and funds asked for are usually three times that amount. About 80 percent of the grants range between $200 and $10,000. It is rare that a grant greater than $20,000 is provided.

Nature of the Project: The mandate of the Literacy Development Council clearly indicates that it exists to meet the "literacy" needs of the province. A definition of literacy appears in the InforrnationApplication Guide.

We base the literacy standards of adults in our province on the results of literacy surveys, especially those by the National Literacy Secretariat. These surveys measure ability to read various kinds of prose texts, documents, and texts involving functional mathematics. Emphasis on projects incorporating these aspects of literacy is more likely to impact on literacy standards.

Each literacy project should have an impact on lessening the number of people with low literacy in the province. There should be a clear indication on how this is to be achieved. A well-defined evaluation plan must be included.

Because of the shortage of funds, each project should go a long way. Projects are more likely to be funded if they are innovative, creative, and unique in a particular context. They should provide support for increasing levels of literacy. Projects should not be ad hoc; that is, the project should not be implemented for a period of time and then concluded without any spin-off effects. Plans may be specified for how the project may be sustained in its present context, and information should be provided on how the outcomes can be transferred to other sites. These outcomes may consist of materials that were developed, handbooks on how to implement the project, or consultation and advice from those involved.