Needs Section
STATEMENT OF NEED OR OPPORTUNITY – Here you outline the current situation that your program or project will address. If you are trying to solve a problem or build on an opportunity, you have to define it first. Be as specific as you can. Do not assume that the reader knows anything about your community or the situation. However, do not dwell on the negative; do not portray the problem as one that is too overwhelming to solve. When you define a problem, define it in a way that it is clear that your group can actually address the problem. Finally, its best if this section is brief — just quickly, yet concisely, describe the situation that you will be addressing.
- The following video segment provides an overview of the Needs Statement section. I mention writing this section after you have outlined the proposal. It is important to note, that this does not preclude researching what your needs are first to drive the program design. Community or educational needs should drive all program design goals and objectives.
- CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD POWERPOINT IN VIDEO SEGMENT
Most IMPORTANTLY follow the directions closely and
remember to use the heading prompts as your guide.
The following should be included:
- Purpose for developing the proposal;
- Who is being affected (Census data, free and reduced lunch data, demographics data);
- Social and economic costs of the problem (financial impact data or academic achievement data);
- How you came to realize the problem exists, and what is currently being done about the problem;
- Show what has been done so far and how the proposal complements existing practices; and,
- The specific way in which problems will be solved. Review the resources needed and briefly describe how they will address the problem.
