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Proposal Resources

Institutional support

As you start the proposal writing process, make sure to contact the research or business administrator who staffs your department/center/school. They will often be your best guide to questions on budgeting and institutional approval.

Writing for foundations

The key to success in winning foundation funding is to put the right project in front of the right funder and to individualize the approach for that particular audience (donor, staff and board). Foundations vary widely in their expectations around content and tone.

Use the links below to review key questions about your project, read our letter of inquiry guide or view the full-proposal outline.

Key QuestionsLetter of Inquiry GuideFull Proposal Outline

Supporting materials

There are several other Northwestern resources that you will need to become familiar with as you prepare proposals:

Please contact Maureen Scherrer in the Office of Foundation Relations for additional information including the current trustee listing, IRS Determination Letter, IRS Form 990.