Typology of Proposals

Once the initial submission has arrived, you can use a typology of proposals as another guidepost for review. Some foundations have strictly defined areas of interest, which limits the types of proposals they receive. At foundations with broader interests, proposals come in a bewildering array of varieties. Even in the latter case, however, we can discern some patterns.

All proposals can be divided into at least two broad categories: those that are calculated to provide a personal benefit to individuals and those that would provide a public benefit. An example of a proposal for personal benefit would be a request to a foundation from an incarcerated person asking assistance to appeal his or her sentence. This level of personal ...

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