Grant Proposal Building Blocks: The Problem Statement

By Sarah Wilson

The problem statement is the key element in every grant proposal. It is the first impression the reviewer will have of your project and funding request. The problem statement or statement of need must make a clear, concise and evidence-supported statement of the problem you are addressing and wanting to solve. It is also most likely the shortest written section in your grant application.

Because it's short and sweet, the statement of need must grab the reviewer's attention and keep it focused. The problem statement should instill a sense of urgency in the reader and compel the reviewer to want to help you solve your problem. You want the reviewer to feel like they have the power to help your department solve an important problem by funding your program.

Describe the Problem
First, think about the purpose for developing the proposal and how your department came to this conclusion. Why has it become an issue? What is the history of this problem and who is the problem affecting? Why is it your department's problem to solve?

How do you and your organization know this is a problem?
The problem is obvious to you and your community. Now prove it. How did your organization come to realize that this problem exists? A good way to document this is to conduct a needs assessment within your community to identify the problems. They may be aware of the very problem you are planning to address in your grant proposal and can be an excellent community partner in the development of the grant. Plus local, county and state government, local universities and colleges, local health systems, school districts and state extension offices may all be able help you with the data you need to support your claims.

Who is your target population?
Who is your target constituency and how will they benefit from the project? Describe the social and geographical context.

What is the economic and social impact of this problem?
Describe the cost to the target population and the community. Try to show causality of the relationship between the problem and the cost to the community.

What is your evidence that this problem is real?
You are going to need evidence to support this claim. You will need to cite your data and data sources. Utilize internal and external data to support that the problem is real and can be measured. The information gathered should be factual and directly related to the problem to be addressed by your grant proposal.

The finished product
So what should the finished product look like? Here is a sample:

The Horry County Rescue Squad provides heavy rescue, extrication services and both ALS and BLS ambulance transport services to the City of Conway and nearly 300 square miles of area in unincorporated Horry County. Geographically, we are located close to the East Coast, approximately 15 miles northwest of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Our service area has a mean elevation of 40 feet above sea level. Our intention is to secure the necessary funds to increase the amount of appropriate safety equipment needed to outfit our increased number of emergency responders. Specifically, we are asking for your assistance in purchasing (65) complete sets of PPE that meet the NFPA 1971, 1951 and 1999 standards. This will bring our agency into 100 percent compliance with the recommended NFPA standards that apply.

Short, sharp and direct. I want to read more and solve these problems, don't you?

If you would like a worksheet to help you create a problem statement or to conduct a needs assessment, e-mail me at sarah.wilson@firegrantshelp.com.