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Grant Proposal Well Written Sample for Master's Level
Grant Writing (RWS 5313)
University of Texas at El Paso
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MASTERKEY MINISTRIES OF GRAYSON COUNTY
Program Expansion Proposal to
TEXOMA HEALTH FOUNDATION
YOUR FULL NAME
c/o MasterKey Ministries of Grayson County 208 S FM 8897 Sherman, TX 75092
{Date}
{Granter’s Name} THF Relations, Grants & Giving Lead Texoma Health Foundation 5036 Reba Drive Denison, TX 75020
Dear {Granter’s Name}:
On behalf of the board of directors and staff of MasterKey Ministries of Grayson County, I am grateful for the opportunity to submit the following proposal requesting a program expansion grant for $15,000. For low-income families, the grant will provide expansion of two existing programs that will inspire healthy living.
Since 2008, MasterKey Ministries has served those in need with food assistance while staying true to their Christian-based mission. The 501(c)(3) organization expanded to provide educational resources, bilingual support, plus children’s summer and after-school programs for underserved populations. MasterKey Ministries is committed to serving anyone in need, regardless of their faith or situation.
The requested funding will provide resources to add educational modules to the adult Getting Ahead course and the children’s Summer Learning program that will teach participants the importance of healthy food choices and exercise. The grant is also intended to cover the program fees for 50 students of the summer program and the cost of fresh food for course participants of both programs.
Because of your commitment to the health and wellbeing of residents in the Texoma community, we hope that you will consider awarding a $15,000 program expansion grant for a period of one year starting January of 2023. If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me at (915)111-1111. Thank you for considering this request and we look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
{Signature}
{Full Name} {Your Position}
Problem Statement Have you had to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table? Are some chronic health conditions worse in your neighborhood compared to wealthier ones? Do you have to travel several miles from home just to get fresh produce? Many people in Grayson County, Texas, find themselves living all three of these realities.
Poverty, poor health, and food deserts are prevalent in Grayson County. These three situations overlap to make each one more intense. Over the last few years, the poverty rate in the county has steadily increased (Texoma Council of Governments [TCOG], 2018). According to the TCOG 2019-2020 Community Needs Assessment (p. 10), the overall poverty rate in Grayson County (15%) is above the U. rate (15%). While almost 10% of county residents has diabetes, the obesity rate among adults is 25% and the obesity rate for low-income children is an astounding 15% (National Institute for Children’s Healthcare Equality [NICH], 2017). Only 50% of ZIP codes in Grayson County have access to a healthy food outlet and many in the county are not educated on what comprises a healthy diet and lifestyle (NICH, 2017).
There is a correlation between poverty, poor health, and limited food access. In Grayson County, there are pockets of poverty with residents struggling to break the cycle. Unhealthy food is often the choice that people in poverty make since it is readily available and perceived as less expensive. However, a healthy snack can cost less than an unhealthy one. For example, the price of a Snickers® bar is $1 compared to 67 cents for a small Gala apple (Kroger, 2021). Healthy food choices can make a difference in personal health. Consuming too much sugar, salt, or fat can raise the risk for certain diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes (Hicklin, 2017). Adverse health conditions can be avoided or diminished by consuming healthier food, even though all cannot be prevented. With limited access to fresh food and no context of how diet affects health, the lives of many residents in poverty do not improve. With no intervention, the next generation endures the same situation.
While any one of these issues is too great for a single grant or organization to address alone, MasterKey Ministries has existing programs that touch each of these areas. They have provided food assistance to areas of poverty in Sherman and Grayson County since 2008. They are addressing immediate needs while providing education to lead participants to paths of life improvement. Though the organization has provided dry goods plus fresh fruits and vegetables, much of the fresh food has gone to waste because of lack of interest. KXII, a local news outlet, reported, “Grayson County ministry giving free produce but needs more takers” (Maynard, 2017). While many people are food insecure in Grayson County, they sometimes do not make the choice to accept fresh food when offered. There is a need to make the connection between good food and good health.
With program enhancement, MasterKey Ministries is in a position to provide guidance on healthy living to participants through their Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World and Summer Learning programs. These programs have been successful in their focused areas. Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World is a course for adults that helps guide them out of poverty by building resources and stabilizing their lives. The Summer Learning program provides activities and learning for low-income children during the summer. With support for minor curriculum
adjustments and funding for more access, each program can educate participants on healthy living while meeting their main objectives.
Texoma Health Foundation is a beacon for health causes in the region and can partner with MasterKey Ministries to improve the health and lives of people in Grayson County. The mission of Texoma Health Foundation, to support the health and well-being of our community, is in line with the goals of this proposal. With a thoughtful plan and more support, MasterKey Ministries can expand programs to teach people to make healthy decisions and improve their well-being.
Goals and Objectives
The goal of this proposal is to obtain a $15,000 grant to enrich the lives of low-income families of Grayson County, Texas, through education on healthy living and better food choices through existing programs at MasterKey Ministries that are already poised for poverty alleviation. While part of the request is designated for healthy food and meals, most of the funding is intended for education so that the cycle of poor food choices and poor health can be diminished. Most participants receive food assistance through other programming at the organization or other sources. The plan is for participants to learn how to make healthier choices in the future, whether at a grocery store, food assistance program, or eating establishment. Through the help of Texoma Health Foundation, participants may begin a path to better health and wellness.
We propose the following goals and objectives are put into action.
Goal # Increase accessibility to the Summer Learning program at MasterKey Ministries to low-income children and teach participants healthy choices.
Objective 1: Provide the program fee for 50 participants.
Objective 1: Add a module to the 4-week summer program that encourages healthy food choices and exercise for children.
Objective 1: Provide a Take-Home Pack of fresh fruits and vegetables for each child each week (for four weeks) to take home.
Goal # Alleviate cyclical poverty in Grayson County by providing education on healthy living and food choices through the Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World course for adult participants at MasterKey Ministries.
Objective 2: Add a module to the 16-week curriculum that informs of healthy living and food choices for 40 participants.
and Obesity. The online documents, “Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025” and “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition,” will be the basis for the presentation and handouts used during the course. Because some participants have no online access at home, each will receive a copy of course materials. The course is intended to encourage exercise and healthier food selection at grocery stores, eating establishments, or food assistance pantries.
Meal-in-a-Bag Each of the 40 participants will receive four Meal-in-a-Bag kits during the 16-week Getting Ahead course at MasterKey Ministries. The Meal-in-a-Bag is a paper bag that contains ingredients for a healthy meal that participants can prepare at home. Each bag will be labeled with a recipe and will contain mostly fresh food instead of processed items. Recipes will be carefully selected by a nutritionist and meals will be easy to prepare. The class will offer tips for preparing each Meal-in-a-Bag and ideas for other healthy meals.
Healthy Living – Summer Learning Program for Summer 2023 TASKS PERSON RESPONSIBLE
RESOURCES DATES
Gather Added Content Summer Learning Coordinator
CDC Website January – February 2023 Train Volunteer Staff Summer Learning Coordinator
Program Facility March – April 2023
Identify & Register New Applicants
Summer Learning Coordinator
Online Forms/ Registrants of Family Programs
April – May 2023
Prepare Fresh Food Packs during Course
Volunteer Staff Fresh Food Items Bags & Label Materials
Weekly during 4-Week Summer Program 2023 Deliver Added Content Summer Learning Coordinator & Volunteer Staff
Program Facility Weekly during 4-Week Summer Program 2023 Healthy Living – Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World Course for Fall Term 2023 TASKS PERSON RESPONSIBLE
RESOURCES DATES
Consult with Nutritionist for Recipes
Getting Ahead Facilitator Area Professionals January 2023
Gather Added Content Getting Ahead Facilitator CDC Website February – March 2023 Train Volunteer Staff Getting Ahead Facilitator Getting Ahead Classroom Facility
April – June 2023
Prepare Meal-in-a-Bag Kits during Course
Volunteer Staff Fresh Food Items Bags & Label Materials
Monthly: August – November 2023 Deliver Added Content for Fall Program
Getting Ahead Facilitator & Volunteer Staff
Getting Ahead Classroom Facility
Monthly: August – November 2023
Evaluation Plan
The evaluation plan is a two-part process that consists of recording the number of attendees of the two expanded programs and collecting feedback from participants. The first method is quantitative and part of regular record-keeping of the organization. While participation is dependent upon registrants of existing programs, funds are intended to reach the maximum number of participants defined in the budget. The second method is qualitative and will indicate the effectiveness of the expanded programs through feedback from surveys. Participants will have the option of completing a paper or online survey.
For the educational module of the Getting Ahead course, surveys will be conducted at the beginning and end of the course to compare behaviors before and after course completion. Since the course addresses healthy eating and lifestyle, the surveys will collect data to measure any change after the course, plus collect any additional feedback. The following questions may be considered for the survey:
- How much of my diet consists of processed or boxed food?
- What percentage of my diet is fresh fruits and vegetables?
- How often do I eat snacks or desserts made with processed sugar?
- How often do I exercise daily and/or weekly?
Parents or guardians of children in the Summer Learning program will be given surveys at the end of the program that request their opinions about the added program about healthy eating and exercise. The survey will also allow comments or suggestions about the fresh food sent home during the summer.
Budget Narrative
The goal of this proposal is to better the lives of participants in existing programs at MasterKey Ministries through education of healthy eating and living.
Goal 1: To make the Summer Learning program accessible for maximum capacity, the budget is intended to cover the program fee of $50 each for 50 students. Since this program is designed for children of low-income families, it will make the program more accessible to its audience. No additional staff will be added for implementation. Program and volunteer staff will work this module into their existing curriculum. The allocation for course materials such as flyers and notes will be $250 and supplies such as bags will also have a $250 budget. For the four-week course, a Fresh Food Pack will be provided to each child at $15 each per week for a total of $3,000. To supplement the exercise activities, $1,000 will be allocated for equipment such as balls and outdoor games.
Goal 2: The budget provides adding an educational module to the Getting Ahead course for 40 adult participants, the maximum capacity for the program. Staff already teaching the course will work this into the existing 16-week curriculum designed to guide people out of lives of poverty. Costs
Sustainability
If the overall feedback indicates success and positive change for participants in the expanded educational modules, then MasterKey Ministries is likely to continue the programs through support from their existing resources. A supply of fresh food will continue after grant funding has expired through their partnership with North Texas Food Bank, a hunger relief organization that distributes food to partner organizations. Local donations and in-kind contributions will also help replenish the dry goods and fresh food supply needed for the Meal-in-a-Bag and Fresh Food Pack programs.
For the educational portion of the added programs, there will be some initials costs, such as consultations with a nutritionist, that will be funded by the grant. Volunteers and staff that already deliver the two programs (Summer Learning and Getting Ahead) will continue to teach the healthy lifestyle content if there is proven success. After the educational programs are established, the start-up costs will no longer be part of the budget. Costs for course materials and the Summer Learning program fees may be covered by local contributions and other sources such as the HeART to Heart fundraiser. HeART to Heart is an annual fundraiser at MasterKey Ministries that raises money through a silent auction of creations by local artists. Additional program support also comes from foundations, such as the Dorset Foundation, a loyal supporter for many years.
Dissemination
In the event the grant is awarded to MasterKey Ministries, a press release describing the provisions of the grant will be sent to the local newspaper, Herald Democrat, and to Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) to post on their news websites. TCOG is a plausible choice to post this information since they are the connection between citizens and organizations in the area. The press release will also be pitched to the local TV news stations, KXII and KTEN, mostly for posting on their websites.
Additionally, MasterKey Ministries will publicize the new grant through their channels. On the organization’s website, there are webpages that describe the two programs (Summer Learning and Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World) and list what participants will learn in each curriculum. On each of those webpages, the text will be updated to include the new educational modules for healthy eating and living. The organization has an active social media presence and will make brief posts to publicize the awarding of the grant and the benefits to program participants.
Conclusion
Since Texoma Health Foundation and MasterKey Ministries are members of the same region, we hope they will become partners in helping friends and neighbors improve their health and well- being. Thank you for your time in considering support of our community through a one-year program expansion grant of $15,000 beginning January 1, 2023.
Works Cited
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2020, December). Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025. Retrieved from cdc/healthyweight/healthy_eating/index.html
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2018). Physical Activities for Americans, 2nd Ed. Retrieved from health/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/physical- activity-guidelines/current-guidelines
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2021, May 24). Tips to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight. Retrieved from cdc/healthyweight/children/
Hicklin, Tianna. (2017, March 14). National Institute for Health. NIH Research Matters. “How dietary factors influence disease risk.” Retrieved from nih/news- events/nih-research-matters/how-dietary-factors-influence-disease-risk
Kroger. (2021, September). Retrieved from kroger
Maynard, Abbie. (2017, January 13 ). Grayson County ministry giving free produce but needs more takers. Retrieved from kxii
National Institute for Children’s Healthcare Equality (NICH) / Child Policy Research Center. Healthy Lifestyles in Grayson County. Retrieved from static.nichq > TX_Grayson factsheet
Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG). 2019-2020 Community Needs Assessment – Texoma Region, Texas. Retrieved from tcog
Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG). Grayson County Poverty Rate 2018. Retrieved from tcog
Grant Proposal Well Written Sample for Master's Level
Course: Grant Writing (RWS 5313)
University: University of Texas at El Paso
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