We reviewed homework and also had a quiz about the project life cycle.
Today we talked about Phase 1
- Identify needs (Chapter 2
of Gido textbook on reserve in the library).
You might see a need and know what steps can be taken
to address the need. You have an idea
for a project that will solve the problem.
But, you will probably need money to do this
project. And the people giving money
will want reassurance that you will do a good job.
Thus you need to write your project plan down. This is called the project proposal.
If there is not an obvious source of funding, you can
look for one.
Organizations post their needs in Request for Proposals (RFPs). The proposal
is the solution that you submit in response to a need. The proposal is a document that contains the
tasks, budget, and schedule that will solve the problem.
4 things to look at in an RFP to decide if you should
read further:
1.
What kind of projects are funded
2.
Who can apply
3.
Due date – if late it won’t be read, if you
hurried to write it it won’t be good.
4.
How much money is available – If you have a
small project don’t apply with a group that offers only large amounts of
money. If you ask outside of their range
they won’t fund it.
Where do RFPs
come from?
If you are with an organization, such as AUC, who has
a need and wants to pay someone to
solve that need, then you can develop
an RFP to distribute to other organizations or even individuals.
You can post
the RFP on the internet, in newspaper, in journals.
Likewise, if you are looking for funding, look here for RFPs:
- Webpages of organizations – o Samaritan’s Purse o Universities o Etc.
- Government websites.
- Network with people. Often you will know an RFP is coming by word of mouth.
Remember – RFPs are from groups who want
to fund projects.
Why we need
to be familiar with this? In grad
school you will need to apply for research money
In your non-profit jobs you will need
to apply for operating funds
We looked at Coca-Cola's website:
And an application form for Better World Books LEAP grant.
Internet search terms:
- big corporation names + funding, community involvement + Haiti
- organizations you know such as USAID, + Haiti + funding + specifics such as agriculture, environment
- Grants + Haiti + specifics such as agriculture, environment
RFP tells you
(You do not have
to know all these in this order, just be able to tell me a couple key ones.)
1.
Name of issuing agency
2.
Whom you are seeking – local companies?
Education institutions? Non-profits.
Students, etc.
a.
And those not allowed – individuals, government
agencies, etc.
3.
Statement of the problem
4.
Scope of Work (SOW) – what the contractor should
do
a.
Task 1 – Create a pit on campus to bury
non-burnable trash.
b.
Task 2 – Create a pit on campus to burn
non-toxic burnable trash
c.
Task 3 – Create a compost pile on campus
d.
Task 4 - Clean up all the trash on the AUC
campus and dispose of in a proper and responsible manner
5.
Requirements –
a.
Experience in trash clean up and disposal
b.
Demonstration of consideration of environmental
factors in trash disposal
6.
Deliverables
a.
Progress reports submitted every month. (for longer project quarterly may be
sufficient)
b.
A plan for the pits and compost location – to be
approved before digging begins
c.
Documentation of cleanup – before and after
photos of the pit sites, of the garbage etc.
d.
A final report documenting the project – pit
locations, dimensions, etc.
e.
Due date – date project must be completed
7.
Schedule – When the agency will choose a
contractor
8.
Type of contract –
a.
fixed-cost = the customer will pay the
contractor a fixed amount regardless of how much the work actually costs the
contractor
b.
time and materials = the customer pays the
contractor the actual costs of labor and meterials
9.
Payment amount – amount available and expected
budget sizes
10. Payment
schedule –
a.
Pay one lump sum at end of project
b.
Pay a percentage as milestones are reached = 1/3
amount after plan submitted, 1/3 during, 1/3 at end etc.
11. Proposal content (we will cover this
throughout the semester)
>>>>>>
12. How
to submit – contact person
13. Project
Evaluation Criteria
RFPs will have a deadline, often 1 or 2 months. This means from the time it is released you
have 1 or 2 months to prepare the proposal.
Stay organized so that when you find an RFP it is easier to write your
proposal.
Meet in groups - BRAINSTORM
IDEAS FOR PROJECT
Guidelines:
1.
A project that you have been wanting to do or
that means something to them will be more fun and productive.
2.
Something that benefits the community will have
more support and possible funders.
3.
It has to benefit AUC.
4.
Examples – basketball court on campus, education
program in an elementary school, nature walk through campus (signs and
benches), new entrance sign, fence around the perimeter back by the farm, fence
around the Audubon sanctuary, trash clean up & recycling (water sacs for
nursery), fish pond, cafeteria, tours of the campus.
5.
Submit a sheet of paper NOW with Member names
Project title
Brief description –
state the problem.
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