A good proposal begins with a "statement of need," (also known as the "problem statement"), material that explains the situation, a set of conditions, or a general need affecting the social fabric of specific people in a specific place or time. This is important because the grant-making organization must be in agreement with the goals of the grant-seeking organization. If the grant makers do not understand the need, it is unlikely they will be interested in providing the money to pay for it.

The need must relate clearly to the fund-seeking organization's goals in an effective and memorable way. A clear, well-written statement should underline the fact that solving the need will not help the fund-seeking organization as much as it will help meet the needs of the population served by the fund-seeking group.

Any statistics, facts, figures, or testimony of expert witnesses should be presented here as a way of supporting the statement of need. These statistics should be real numbers, not estimates or assumptions. Naturally, they should clearly support the grant seeker's position. This would also be an appropriate place to quote people who are experts in the area. And while comparative statistics are able to explain many needs, nothing can beat human interest stories, the true tales of local people who are affected by the circumstances associated with the need.

Finally, the statement must be able to show how the grant-seeking organization will be able to meet the need, if it receives the appropriate funds.

Must It Meet a Specific Concrete Quantifiable Need?

There may be concern among arts organizations that while the work they do is important, it is difficult to pin down the benefits. That is, it might be easier to make the argument for building a bricks-and-mortar neighborhood arts center than it would be to ask for the continued support of the programs housed in such a center. After all, a donor can point with pride to a building, but there may be less pride in pointing out the fact that one paid support to keep utilities running in the building. However, it should be remembered that arts groups keep culture alive, that they do improve the lives of the population they serve, and that they give people a chance to find new ways to express themselves.