Organization Name - the organization's name on the IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter and the NM Attorney General's letter must exactly match the name of the organization as submitted on the cover letter and grant application - it you are using a fiscal agent, be sure to review ACF's guidelines for Fiscal Agents.
Contact Information - include person's name, telephone number, e-mail of the person most likely to be available to answer questions about the proposal.
Website Address - if your web address is not on your stationary, please include it in the cover letter information.
General Tips
Communicate with the funder Ask questions - make sure you understand the expectations and procedures.
Emphasize what your organization will do
Spend more time describing your solution than the issue
Economize content and avoid repetition. Less is more.
Who Benefits?
Be clear in your proposal about who will benefit from the program and how they will learn about it.
Evaluate before, during, and after your proposal request
Keep what you want to learn and evaluate in mind, as well the assessment tools you will use i.e. records, surveys, interviews, pre-and post-tests.
Follow Directions
Give yourself enough time - they always take twice as long as you think to do!
Collaborate
Private & public schools, nonprofit & city, more than one nonprofit.
When Writing A Proposal Remember:
Pro-active program development will result in intentional, well-conceived proposal writing
Avoid unsupported assumptions - back up everything with specifics
Language should be positive, active, explicit, easy-to- read, interesting, brief - simple sentences, short paragraphs
No jargon or acronyms (unless necessary & explained)
Do not assume the reader knows what you know
Define your terms - i.e. how do you define 'success?'
Words to avoid - unique, proud, perhaps, clearly, service as a verb (animals are served, not people)
Proofread, Edit, & Proofread - check for grammar and syntax
Clear, concise, reasonable, logically presented
Follow the guidelines - use application form if offered - include correct number of copies
Include all information requested
Table of contents if proposal is over 10 pages
Keep appendices to a minimum - the important ones
Footnotes on same page - not at end of document
Follow guidelines to the letter!
Deadlines are serious -- Don't lose out by missing one!
Organization Name - the organization's name on the IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter and the NM Attorney General's letter must exactly match the name of the organization as submitted on the cover letter and grant application - it you are using a fiscal agent, be sure to review ACF's guidelines for Fiscal Agents. 
