APPENDIX C_SAMPLE IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT PROPOSAL NARRATIVE .docx

III. APPENDIX C: SAMPLE IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

Thoroughly review the applicable Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) Competitive Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NFO) before completing this form.

This form is a sample but may be thoroughly filled out and included as your Implementation Project Proposal. It can be submitted as PDF or MS Word format and attached to the application package within Grants.gov. The text of the proposal must be single spaced and typed in New Times Roman, no smaller than 12-point font and must not exceed 15 pages. The proposal shall not exceed 10 pages of written text, and up to 5 additional pages for figures and tables. We have established this maximum (15 pages) to ensure fair and equitable competition.

Proposals that fail to comply with the required content and format will not be considered for funding. Material exceeding stated page limits and/or formatting structure will not be considered. Incomplete and/or noncompliant proposals will not be considered.

1. Applicant Organization Must match box 8 of the SF-424.

Name:

Email:

Phone:

Fax:

Mailing Address:

1. Authorized Organization Representative (AOR) This person will be the main contact for any correspondence and is responsible for signing any documentation should the grant be awarded. Must match box 21 of the SF-424.

Name:

Email:

Phone:

Fax:

Mailing Address: ☐ Check if same as above

1. Applicant Entity Type Select the applicable entity type for your organization as defined in Section C. of the NFO.

· Tribal Government

· Nonprofit having a 501(c)3 status with the IRS

· Nonprofit that does not a 501(c)3 status with the IRS

· A unit of local government

· Any school that serves any of the grades kindergarten through grade 12

· Other (Specify Below):

2. Implementation Project Title Provide a descriptive title. Must match box 15 of the SF-424.:

3. Requested UAIP Funds Insert the total amount ($) of Federal funds requested. This must match the total amount requested on Line 18a. Estimated Federal Funding of the SF-424.

6. Does the proposal address Target and Priority Area(s) as described in Section A.2 of the NFO?

See instructions on how to determine priority consideration in the NFO.

· Yes

· No

7. Project Target Area(s) Physical Address Enter each address where this project will be implemented. If you are requesting priority consideration because project target area(s) are within Opportunity Zone(s), enter the Census Tract number. See more detailed instructions on how to determine priority consideration in the NFO in section A.2.

1. Proposal Narrative The Proposal for an Implementation Project must include the below seven headings followed by a narrative that includes a response for each of the points noted below.

· Project Overview and Relationship to Program Objectives.

Define the target audience and end users of this project. Describe how this project will initiate, build upon, or expand related work or programs. Discuss how project activities and outcomes will address the purpose of the IPs as described in Part A.3., and how the project will impact the targeted urban area(s) and/or suburb(s).

· The Community to Be Involved in the Project and the Needs to Be Addressed.

Present a statement of need or assessment of the problem. Describe your approach to determining the critical elements and needs of the local food economy or food system of the area or community to be served. Document this with data such as demographics, income, and geographic characteristics of the area(s) or community to be served, linking it to UAIP priorities. What is the situation that is causing concern? Why is it happening?

Applicants claiming the Opportunity Zone priority must provide the name(s) of the state, county and census tract number under this heading of the Proposal Narrative.

· The Organizations and Communities Involved in the Project.

List the partners, organizations and community to be involved in carrying out the proposed project. Include a description of the relevant experience of each, including the applicant organization that will be involved, and any related project history. Proposals should demonstrate extensive community linkages and coalitions. Applicant organizations should demonstrate a history of commitment to and direct involvement with UAIP priorities, as well as success in outreach to the area or community to be served.

The qualifications of key personnel involved with the proposed project and/or organizational leadership must reflect the expertise necessary to carry out the proposed project activities or similar types of activities. Experience in and connections with the community will be considered as important as academic or professional credentials in this regard.

· Project Goals and Intended Outcomes.

Concisely state the goal(s) and objectives of the proposed project. Note the main targets or beneficiaries of the project and the community needs and opportunities being addressed. Identify anticipated outcomes and benefits in measurable terms. Outcomes must be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely, describe what will be accomplished, and who and how many people, e.g., residents, students, participants, will benefit. Describe the involvement of stakeholders in developing project objectives and implementing results. How is the situation expected to change as a result of the award?

· Activities to Achieve the Goals.

Summarize the work to be performed in non-technical terms. Include a brief review of the goal(s) and present a clear, concise set of project objectives. Explain why the applicant and its partners selected the activities proposed in the application. Include a timeline of activities with milestones and verifiable indicators to demonstrate how progress will be measured and achieved. The summary should include the relevance of the project to the priorities of UAIP.

· Evaluation.

IP proposals should contain a strong evaluation component. Innovative evaluation strategies are especially encouraged. USDA seeks to determine best practices, including valuable lessons learned; therefore, proposals are encouraged that include both process evaluations (developing and monitoring indicators of progress towards the objectives) and outcome evaluations (to determine whether the objectives were met).

· Self-Sustainability.

Describe which aspects or components of the project will continue beyond the end of the project period. Discuss how a one-time infusion of Federal funds will be sufficient for the proposed IP to advance UAIP goals and achieve sustainability. Projects should identify actual or potential funding sources for continuation of the project after Federal funding has ended.