Write a Fundraising Proposal That Opens Wallets (+Examples)

What to include in a fundraising proposal?

Title slide
Executive summary
Project overview (including goals and objectives)
Solution
Project budget
Evaluation plan
Sustainability plan
Case studies and testimonials
The ask
Next steps slide

Keep reading for a full breakdown of the slides ⤵

How to write a fundraising proposal to secure funding

Writing a fundraising proposal can be really tricky. First, you have to convince donors that your project is the one they should support over others. Second, you need to show how your project stands out and the lasting benefits it will bring.

Here’s how you can do it slide by slide to win the support you need.

1) Executive summary

Your executive summary is a key opportunity to capture interest and set the stage. Start with an introduction to your project or cause, explaining why it's crucial and needs funding, not just awareness.

Share a story that vividly outlines the problem and the positive change your project can bring. Then, briefly describe your plan, focusing on what makes your project unique and why your team is the right one to make it happen.

Example of an executive summary slide:

2) Project overview

In the project overview, lay out your goals, how you plan to achieve them, and what success looks like. Explain the issue more deeply, using real examples or data to show what’s at stake and why it matters.

Highlight that the problem, although significant, can be managed with the right effort and resources. This part of your proposal should inspire confidence and motivate donors to feel that their contribution can genuinely lead to positive change.

Great example of a project overview slide:

3) Solution

Now that you’ve identified the problem, discuss your solution. First, clearly describe what your plan involves, including the steps you'll take, the methods you'll use, and the resources you'll need. Keep your explanation simple and straightforward.

Then, explain why your approach is the best choice, using evidence or examples from similar successful initiatives. This isn’t about dismissing other ideas, but rather showing how yours best addresses the problem.

Consider adding a timeline to show when each part of your project will happen. Also, describe your organization's ability and experience to assure donors that you can successfully carry out the project.

Finally, imagine the future impact of your solution. Outline the positive changes it will create, helping everyone see the benefits your project will deliver.

An example of a timeline slide:

4) Project budget

Your budget needs to be clear and understandable. Start by listing your main costs—like staff, materials, and operations—and briefly explain why each expense is essential.

This not only shows you've thought through your needs but also helps donors see where their money goes.

Then, present the total amount you're aiming to raise. Connect specific dollar amounts to clear outcomes, such as:tnote

This approach highlights how every dollar contributes directly to your goals.

5) Evaluation plan

It’s vital to clearly outline how you'll monitor your project's effectiveness and communicate with donors.

Start by describing your evaluation strategy, specifying the exact metrics and data collection methods you'll use to track and measure progress.

Then, explain your communication plan for keeping donors up-to-date. This could include sending updates via email, posting on your website, or hosting virtual meetings to share recent developments.

The aim is to ensure donors feel connected and informed about the impact of their support.

Example of a slide with a budget and an evaluation plan:

6) Sustainability plan

In your sustainability plan, it's crucial to show how your project will continue to benefit the community and remain financially stable long after the initial funds are spent.

Begin by explaining your strategies for financial sustainability, such as exploring new funding sources, partnering with other organizations, or generating revenue.

Then, describe how you plan to maintain operational continuity, whether by training community members to manage activities or using technology to improve efficiency. This approach reassures donors that their support will have a lasting impact.

Sustainability plan slide example:

7) Case studies and testimonials

Adding case studies and testimonials to your fundraising proposal makes it more convincing.

Case studies show how your project works in real situations and what it achieves, while testimonials give a personal perspective from those who have benefitted.

Both elements prove the effectiveness of your work and build trust by showing real outcomes. Ensure these stories are closely linked to your proposal's objectives to make the biggest impact.

Testimonials slide example:

8) The ask

In your fundraising proposal, don't shy away from making a clear ask.

After detailing your project, be direct about the funding you need. Specify the amount and consider breaking it down into tangible packages, showing donors exactly what their contributions will support.

This makes it easier for donors to understand where their money will go and helps them decide how much they want to give. Offering these clear options can significantly improve the likelihood of receiving the necessary support.

Example of the ask slide:

9) Next steps slide

When finishing your proposal, move beyond just thanking your audience. Clearly specify what you'd like them to do next. This could be scheduling a meeting, viewing a demo of your project, or exploring funding possibilities.

Providing these specific next steps guides the donor on how to proceed but also shows your eagerness to advance the project together. This keeps the conversation going and paves the way for further collaboration.

Next steps slide example:

Fundraiser proposal examples to convince supporters

When it comes to fundraising proposals, it's really smart to see what other successful organizations are doing and figure out how you can do something similar with your own proposal.

So, I've picked out some examples of fundraising proposals for different scenarios. I’ll break down what makes each of them so effective. Then, if any of them catch your eye, feel free to take it and use it as a template for your own.

NGO fundraising pitch deck

If there's one thing I can't stand about investment decks, it's when companies just overload them with data, thinking it'll make their case stronger.

So, I really liked how straightforward the financials section was here—it clearly shows how much money they need and exactly what it will be spent on, complete with an interactive timeline.

Busy investors will definitely appreciate not having to dig through data to piece everything together, making them more likely to back your cause.

Nonprofit project proposal

This nonprofit project proposal has got to be one of my favorite decks yet. If I needed to make a compelling case for my fundraiser, this would be my go-to.

I love how it opens with a clear Unique Value Proposition in the form of a catchy one-liner, before presenting a problem-solution framework.

Instead of hitting you with a wall of text, it smartly uses running numbers to highlight the urgency of the problem, how many people it affects, and why it matters.

It's a fantastic example of emotional storytelling that makes me want to jump on board right away.

Nonprofit sponsorship deck

One thing I can't stand about creating presentations is when the editor is clunky and I end up wrestling with the buttons just to edit different fields without throwing off the whole layout.

So, when I started playing around with this deck, I was really relieved to see how easy it was to customize every single aspect of it, from the {{company}} variable on the cover to the logo placeholders.

No more fumbling around to find the current version with the right background!

Fundraising event sponsorship packet

This sponsorship packet has a great feature I haven't seen in most other proposals.

Right before the last slide, it includes terms and conditions with an e-signature field. This lets you add any special clauses for potential sponsors directly in the deck. Plus, the signature feature makes it easier to encourage them to sign on.

Fundraising proposal letter

This fundraising proposal letter really has everything a potential donor could need to make a decision. As I scrolled through, it smoothly guided me through the project's objectives and goals, then moved on to explain how the effects will be measured.

What followed was a solid sustainability plan, which really put me at ease about the long-term impact of my contribution. Plus, breaking it down into different fundraising packages makes it easy for people with various budgets to support the cause.

How to prepare for writing a fundraising proposal?

When writing a fundraising proposal, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. There will be some subtle differences depending on whether you’re a startup pitching to a corporate investor or an NGO looking for backing for their next project.

But, no matter what you’re fundraising for, there are some universal rules you can apply to majorly boost your chances of success.

1) Identify your audience

Before you start drafting your proposal, really get to know your potential backers.

Get to know what excites your potential donors—find out what they're passionate about, what types of projects they are drawn to, and their preferred way to review proposals.

The better you align your pitch with their interests, the higher your chances of getting a positive response.

2) Set goals and objectives

Set clear, achievable goals for your project using the SMART framework—make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

This clear approach helps potential donors get a solid grasp of what you aim to do and the steps you'll take to get there.

3) Form a fundraising team

Put together a team from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of skills like writing, finance, and public relations. Make sure everyone is committed and ready to put in the effort.

Having a team with a broad range of talents really helps improve the quality and impact of your proposal.

4) Gather compelling materials

Collect any relevant media, research findings, pilot results, or testimonials that could support your proposal.

Having a repository of ready-to-use, compelling content can enrich your narrative and provide concrete evidence of your project’s potential impact.

5) Prepare a fundraising timeline

Establish a clear timeline for your fundraising activities, including milestones and deadlines.

Having a clear timeline really helps everyone stay on the same page and keeps the whole team focused. It boosts your chances of hitting your goals because it coordinates all your efforts.

6) Build relationships before you make the ask

It's super important to connect with potential donors or sponsors long before you actually need their support. Just keep those lines of communication open and honest.

This builds a strong foundation of trust, so when the time comes to send your proposal, they're already engaged and more open to what you have to say.

7) Benchmark against similar organizations

It’s really useful to look at other organizations or projects similar to yours that have successfully hit their funding targets.

See what strategies they’ve used, where they put their focus, and what they’ve accomplished. This could give you some great insights on how to tweak your approach and really make your project shine.

8) Follow submission guidelines and instructions

When you're working on your fundraising proposal, it’s important to follow the donor’s guidelines closely.

If there isn't a specific format provided, just organize your information the way the Request for Proposal (RFP) suggests. This helps make sure your proposal fits what the donor is looking for.

Stick to the RFP’s guidelines and try not to add anything extra that’s not asked for. Including unnecessary details could cause your proposal to be overlooked or even disqualified.

Interactive fundraising proposal templates

Creating a fundraiser proposal from scratch takes a lot of time and effort. With so many different formats and structural requirements, it's enough to make your head spin, especially when resources are tight.

Interactive fundraising proposal templates do all the heavy lifting for you. They apply a battle-tested structure created based on what has worked for others and are optimized for engagement.

This way, you can be confident you're always putting your best foot forward.

Just grab one.

Write a Fundraising Proposal That Opens Wallets (+Examples)

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What is a fundraising proposal?

What to include in a fundraising proposal?