21+ Sample Organization Proposal

What Is an Organization Proposal?

An organization proposal is a formal written proposal that is submitted by an organization to an accrediting agency, sponsor or any similar approving body. The proposal consists of several sections that outline the organization’s various plans and objectives.  

According to an online article by QS Top University, there are 7 types of US college student organizations. It is a widely accepted fact that the typical college experience is incomplete without co-curricular experiences to supplement academic life. The 7 types of student organizations include academic and educational organizations, community service organizations, media and publication organizations, political or multicultural organizations, recreational and sports organizations, student government organizations and religious or spiritual organizations. 

Sample Types of Organizations

Organizations are fundamental to society. Some may even argue that society is built on these institutions and organizations. There can be all kinds of different groups, each with their own distinct set of characteristics. But the following examples are just some of the most common and universal types of organizations.  

Student Organizations. In academic communities, student organizations are quite prevalent and even encouraged in a lot of universities and schools. Not only do student-led organizations enrich the academic lives of students, they are an excellent training ground for student leaders and personal development. Students who participate in co-curricular activities are more likely to attain a more well-rounded or holistic development. Joining organizations or clubs at school can also establish new friendships and social ties. Whether the student organization centers on advocacies, academic enrichment, hobbies or interests, the benefits of belonging to an organization far outweigh the cons. If you are a student, the key is finding an organization that truly resonates with you and your passions or interests.Non-government Organizations. NGOs are a pillar of modern society. With a litany of problems in the world, state governments usually cannot solve everything on their own. NGOs step in and help bridge that gap. In simple terms, what sets them apart from regular organizations or corporations is that they are not the typical for-profit groups. Their mission is promoting development and improvement in other aspects other than in an economic sense. Charitable institutions can be considered non-government organizations. Groups that represent and fight for minorities or marginalized sectors can also be tagged as an NGO. Nonprofit organizations come in all shapes and sizes. Some are purely advocacy-based while others are an extension of a larger group such as corporations or cooperatives. Religious Organizations. Another common and universal type of organization are religious groups. Faith-based organizations have been around for centuries and they form the key identities of millions of people around the world. Whether it is Catholic religious orders, Hindu denominations, or Evangelical charismatic groups, these types of groups are rooted in their spiritual and moral beliefs or teachings. Members of these organizations typically follow an internal code or set of laws and teachings that are prescribed by their religion. The power and influence of any religious organization should not be underestimated. Faith leaders including the Pope or the Dalai Lama not only hold direct influence over their devout followers, but they even have enough authority to help shape public opinion and civil policies. Civic Organizations. Similar to non-government organizations, civic organizations also encompass a broad category. These groups are generally organizations based on common tastes, goals, interests and hobbies. For example, interest groups such as a book club or a pet owners circle can be deemed civic organizations. Other more established civic groups such as Rotary Club or Toastmasters International Club have wide networks and multiple chapters scattered around the world. These organizations often have blended characteristics of an NGO but are more widely understood as having voluntary membership. Whereas, a non-government organization can be considered a full-time career or job for most people. There are also other civic organizations that focus primarily on promoting local interests such as neighborhood watchdogs or community support groups.

Tips For Writing an Organization Proposal

Depending on who your recipient is for the proposal, an organization proposal can be modified to suit specific needs. Whether you are presenting the proposal to a potential sponsor or a committee panel, a good proposal takes time and keen preparation. The following examples are just some general tips on how to improve an organization proposal. 

Provide the organization’s history. Obviously, if you are going to propose any program or project, you first need to establish what your organization is about. Most organization proposals offer a very basic background that it can sometimes come off as generic or manufactured. If you really want to make an impression, you need to exert more creativity and effort. Aside from just offering a general background, plot the early beginnings and offer an insightful history into the organization. Highlight milestones or key moments in the growth of the organization; and share statistics or figures that will capture the attention of the reader. The point is to paint an interesting and memorable picture of your organization. Don’t forget documentation. Providing supporting documentation to strengthen claims or arguments is key. Since it is a proposal, you want to deliver the best impression possible. This is especially true if you are seeking support or funding from prospective sponsors. You need to portray a convincing argument as to why you deserve their support. One way to do this is by highlighting your organization’s achievements and accomplishments. Include a curated portfolio of programs and projects and provide details on how these relate to your organization’s purpose or objectives. You can even add photos of the projects or events to add visual appeal to your proposal. Be direct to the point. When crafting an organization proposal, it is important to be direct to the point. Beating around the bush will only waste the reader’s time. Most readers appreciate honesty and candidness even in formal settings. Be open about your organization’s needs and make sure to establish the reason for submitting the proposal right off the bat. Typically, the nature of a proposal is that it is seeking something in exchange for another thing. So whatever your goal is, whether it is to secure a grant or an approval from a deciding body, try to be as direct and straight to the point as possible. Brevity is an incredibly underrated skill and if you can avoid needlessly prolonging your proposal, then do so. You want to disclose or share only relevant information and omit anything that does not serve your proposal’s objectives.

How to Create an Organization Proposal

To create an effective organization proposal, it should consist of several key sections. If you do not want to start from scratch, save time by using an editable template. The collection above can serve as helpful templates for your organizational proposal. Select a template that suits your needs and follow the basic steps below.    

Step 1: Offer Sufficient Background Information

Before diving into your plans or programs, supply enough background about your organization. A brief overview or an executive summary of what you are about should do the trick. But since it is also an introduction to your proposal, you want to leave a favorable impression as well. Instead of just providing general details about the organization, inject some creativity by sharing quotes, describing a milestone moment in the organization or anything interesting that will draw the attention of the reader. Even if your introduction is short or brief, you can still make the most of it by carefully picking out what background information to present.   

Step 2:  Dedicate a Section About the Team

An organization is nothing without its members. It is important to highlight this in your proposal. Dedicate an entire section that talks about the organization’s key people. It does not always have to be the founder, president, or those in leadership positions; featuring even the ‘ordinary’ member will make much more of an impression. The point is to give a face to the organization and give credit to the people running it. Whether you feature a couple key figures or several members, it will depend entirely on you. You can document their journey in the organization or share their personal testimonials about being part of the organization.         

Step 3: Provide Details About the Projects

Whatever the goal of your organization proposal, whether it is to receive funding or to gain accreditation, you need to have the right material to show for it. In other words, you need to persuade the recipient of the proposal that you are deserving of their support. This section should be entirely dedicated to strengthening that argument. Provide concrete data about what your organization has accomplished so far. Give specific details on projects or programs that your organization has spearheaded, contributed, or plans to implement. Information such as program beneficiaries, timeline, goals and targets should all be covered.      

Step 4: Propose the Budget

A key section in any proposal is the budget. It is important for any organization to have a good grasp of their financial forecasts. Especially in cases where an organization may be seeking a grant or other monetary support, a discussion on the projected budget is expected. Provide tables, graphics, or figures to support your budget proposal. Include a breakdown of expenses and be transparent about costs. Money can be a contentious issue for some, so it is crucial that this section is mapped out properly down to the last detail. If you are unsure of how to craft a feasible budget, the site also boasts a wide library of free budget templates for your use.        

FAQs

How do you write an organization proposal?

To write an organization proposal, you need to determine your objectives for creating one. Once you know which direction you’re headed, provide a solid background of the organization, a sound budget and details about the different projects or programs in the pipeline. Refer to the guidelines above for more detailed instructions on how to create an organization proposal.

What is an organization proposal?

An organization proposal is a formal proposal that outlines an organization’s background, goals, accomplishments and plans, usually for the purpose of obtaining support or funding.

How do you write a proposal for a non-profit organization?

To write a proposal for a non-profit organization, you need to first establish the objectives and reasons for creating the proposal. Offer a brief but informative background on the organization, its mission or vision, its achievements, and various plans (e.g., budget, programs, etc.)

An informative or educational organization proposal may not be enough. It must also be coherent, compelling, and persuasive. Simply browse the collection of well-written sample templates above to create your own organization proposal with more convenience and ease!