Get Ready for the Fall!
Guidelines for Developing a Good Technology Proposal
Prepared by TechFoundation

1. A clear indication of a thoughtful assessment of current tech needs.  A solid inventory of existing equipment/capabilities shows that you have the knowledge to assess your own needs, or find the resources elsewhere to do this.  This is a basic point that all proposal should include. 
   
2. A credible plan for improving technologies (moving from current status to future needs).  The plan should be realistic (meeting real needs with real solutions), appropriate (within the organization’s ability to maintain and sustain the technology), and written with evident expertise (again, a good plan shows that the organization has the internal resources to manage technology, or has found the external resources to do this.  It is very important to articulate the ongoing needs (Esp., training and support) in addition to the static costs associated with obtaining new equipment, etc.  Many nonprofits don’t include these unglamorous costs in their proposals because they think funders don’t want to fund them.  On the contrary, we think it show that the organization understands the true cost of technology, which will increase the success of the eventual grant.  
   
3. A clear and intentional integration of the tech plan with programmatic goals.  The request should explicitly show how the technology plan would specifically support the core programs and mission of the organization.  A tech pitch by itself will be much less attractive than a pitch that says, “we need this technology to enable us to do the following programmatic things.”  
   
4. Clear management support for the technology plan.  Again, it is important to articulate what your human resources are with respect to tech, and this goes beyond just having people able to maintain your network, etc.  It is very important to state that the tech plan involved the senior management of the organization, including the executive director and the board.  This shows organizational support behind the tech plan and this will increase the comfort level of the grantor.