Background in Proposal Writing
When I first ventured into “proposal world,” I was a bit apprehensive. Coming from a technical communications background, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this niche field with only a proposal writing course from the University of Alabama in Huntsville under my belt. I was curious enough to jump in and get both feet wet. I received positive remarks on my first proposal writing assignment from the Proposal Manager—“Megan – You did a GREAT job. My game plan for the future is to use you as much as your “real job” schedule allows me to get your support…Thanks for everything – and especially the fast turnaround. It made a difference.”—and I have been performing the duties of both a technical writer and a proposal coordinator ever since. I have supported various prime and task order proposal efforts at Scientific Research Corporation, including the oral defense presentation for the Range Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Support Effort (RISE) proposal. This six-year contract provides prototyping, production, sustaining engineering, and studies and analysis support for Hill Air Force Base and has a potential value of $950M. CAPTURED – Scientific Research Corporation was awarded a position on this contract in June 2021.
Proposal Writing Sample 1
Summary:
As my final project for EH 509: Proposal Writing, I assisted the Greater Huntsville Humane Society (GHHS) in their pursuit of grants. I researched new funding opportunities, prepared the Torch Helps application, and wrote a letter of interest for the Daniel Foundation of Alabama grant application. This sample is the proposal I submitted to Dr. Weber requesting project approval.
Applicability to Industry:
This proposal demonstrates my mastery of the knowledge and skills expected of proposal writers—I complied with the Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements; summarized the planned project; delineated my qualifications and abilities to carry out the project as described; explained how the project would benefit myself and GHHS; outlined the project deliverables and the resources necessary to execute the project; and successfully persuaded my professor to approve my project.
Proposal Writing Sample 2
Summary:
The COVID-19 pandemic put GHHS’s mission in jeopardy when their main source of income, the thrift store, was forced to close its doors. To help weather the storm, staff members frantically applied for COVID-specific grants, but there were simply not enough hours in the day to also apply for the “regular” grants and local sponsorships that the shelter relied upon to rescue, train, adopt, educate, and advocate for homeless animals in North Alabama. As part of my final project in EH 509: Proposal Writing, I proposed a mutually beneficial solution and offered to help GHHS apply for grants. One of my project deliverables was a letter of interest written on behalf of the Executive Director of GHHS, Anne Caldwell, for the Daniel Foundation of Alabama grant application. To prepare for this assignment, I had to analyze and review Ms. Caldwell’s writing style, as well as previous grant applications, so that I could become a chameleon of dialogue to avoid coming across as disingenuous.
Applicability to Industry:
This letter demonstrates my ability to take content from several authors and create documentation that has a unified voice, which involved bringing consistency to mechanics, perspective, and style.