Content of the Methods Component

Methods—also frequently referred to as activities or strategies—are detailed descriptions of the activities an organization will implement to achieve the ends specified in its objectives. Whatever you call them, this section of the proposal should clearly spell out the methods to be used and give the reasons for choosing them. Any research supporting the use of these methods—such as their previous success (either at your nonprofit or elsewhere) or, if the methods are untested, data that support your assertion that these methods might prove successful—should be included. This section should also address whether the methods selected are already in place within your organization and simply being “redeployed” to the program, or whether they are new. Finally, this section should describe who will staff the program and their qualifications, and identify the client population to be served, along with a justification of why this population was selected.
To develop the methods component, answer the following questions:
1. What are the elements that are inflexible (such as date of completion, dollars available, staffing needed)?
2. What activities need to be carried out in order to meet the objectives?
3. What are the starting and ending dates of these activities?
4. Who has responsibility for completing each activity?
5. How will participants be selected? (This question is not applicable to all projects.)
6. How was this methodology determined to be the best one to solve the problem presented? Does it build on models already in existence, or is it a different approach? If it is different, why is it different? And why did your organization select it?
The methods section should be realistic—the organization should be able to complete the proposed activities within the time frame stated in the proposal using the available resources. For proposals with multiple objectives and methods, it is a good idea to include a timeline showing when each method will start and finish. The accompanying Sample Timeline for the Some City Senior Center’s Senior Latino Community Outreach Pilot Project shows one way to chart a nonprofit’s activities on a timeline.
Going back to the logic model example in Resource C, the methods for the Senior Latino Community Outreach Pilot Project would be called activities in this model.
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