Writing Problem Statements for Nonprofit Grants

Statement of Need Often Cited as Most Important Grant Section

Sep 19, 2009

Grant Problem Statement Identifies Need, cbcs

In the statement of need (also known as problem statement or needs statement), nonprofits identify a problem and propose a solution. Learn what to include.

In writing a statement of need, it’s important for grant writers to remember that readers will have already read the grant proposal’s executive summary. The problem statement, then, should be crafted to give the reader more information about the problems identified in the executive summary.

The problem statement, write Nancy Burke Smith and E. Gabriel Works in The Complete Book of Grant Writing (2006), “is where the proposing organization clearly identifies the problem as it exists in its community. In its analysis, the grantmaker will be looking for those programs that hold the most promise for addressing the problem.”

Collect Facts and Evidence to Use in Problem Statement

Before the grant writer sits down to write the statement of need, she should gather all relevant statistics, studies and evaluations, and other information that will help define the problem and support the organization’s proposed solution.

When searching for facts and figures, don’t forget to check these sources:

Copies of annual reports
Meeting minutes from board and committee meetings
Previous grant applications
Speeches made by executive directors and board members
Program evaluations

Be sure that all statistics are up-to-date and relevant. “There are few things more embarrassing than to have the funder tell you that your information is out-of-date or incorrect,” according to the Foundation Center’s Proposal Writing Short Course.

Problem Statements Answer the Grant Reader’s Questions

While the funder may dictate how long the problem statement should be (if no length is indicated, one to two pages is generally acceptable), grant writers should be sure to answer the following questions, says Beverly A. Browning in Grant Writing for Dummies (2008):

“How and when did you identify the problem?
Do you have a thorough understanding of the problem at the local, regional and national levels?
Do you cite statistics and research conducted by your organization and others?
Are you seeking funds for a problem that can be solved” in the length of the grant award?"

Use Solid Reasoning in Grant Proposal Needs Statement

Don’t offer the solution to the problem as the problem itself. For example, avoid this type of reasoning: “The problem is that we don’t have a community center for kids’ activities. We can solve this problem by building a community center.” Instead, focus on the needs of the children in the community and position a community center as addressing those needs.

Each paragraph of the problem statement should build on the last so the writer has built a logical case for the issue and proposed solution. A simple model for this is to identify the problem, explain the effects of the problem, and then offer a solution for the problem.

As with all grant writing, before finalization, the statement of need should be pulled out and read as a stand-alone piece to ensure good language flow and logical sequence. Consider places where subheads and bolded or italicized phrases could strengthen the document.

While most program officers do not make final funding decisions, they do often offer recommendations on whether to fund a grant. By developing a compelling problem statement with strong facts to back up the organization’s claims, program officers have the tools to make a positive recommendation.

The copyright of the article Writing Problem Statements for Nonprofit Grants in Non-Profit Fundraising is owned by Molly Schar. Permission to republish Writing Problem Statements for Nonprofit Grants in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.