How to Write a Logic Model That Actually Strengthens Your Grant Proposal

Understanding how to write a logic model for a grant proposal encourages you to examine your project critically and through the eyes of a funder.

Developing a clear plan is critical to showing funders why you deserve their support. By identifying the key building blocks of your organization’s project you can strengthen your case to funders and help your organization measure success.

What is a Logic Model?

A logic model is a tool that breaks down a project’s main components. These components help to demonstrate how your project will deliver results. Most logic model templates include:

• Situation - The situation is the problem/community need being addressed, along with relevant assets and stakeholders.

• Inputs - The inputs are the resources your organization is putting into the project. These include time, staff, money, equipment, and facilities.

• Activities - The activities are what the organization is doing to address a problem/community need. It is the planned work or programs your project will host.

• Outputs - The outputs are measurable results that the activities produce.

• Outcomes - The outcomes include the short-, medium-, and long-term effects of the program. These represent the changes resulting from the program. 

Not every funder will ask for a logic model in their grant application, but it can be a great first step to help you understand what your program needs and how success will be defined and measured.

Why Do Funders Ask for Logic Models?

Logic models help you and funders increase your understanding of a project.

At the end of the day, grant funders are investors. This means they need to make sure their investment will deliver. Logic models give the reader a visual connection between a program's activities and its intended outcomes. It takes the reader from point A to point B.

Funders use logic models for multiple reasons:

• Demonstrate a clear project plan

• Connects activities to results

• Establish measurable outcomes

• Make proposals easier to review

How Does a Logic Model Benefit Your Project Grant Funding?

One benefit of developing a logic model is that it requires you to think critically about plans for a project - even if that means changing the project itself to ensure long-term success. 

Understanding how and why a project works will help you design better programming in the long run. Logic models are a roadmap that help with program evaluation. It establishes key performance indicators that provide benchmarks for program effectiveness. As you establish your evaluation plan, these metrics will help track your progress and evaluate your impact.

Additionally, logic models help to establish clarity within an organization and ensure effective communication between staff, funders, and potential donors. Sharing one clear vision with stakeholders ensures alignment across teams and increases your impact.

How to Write a Logic Model That Strengthens Your Grant Proposal

You are the subject matter expert when it comes to your organization’s project. Funders receive a myriad of applications. That means you need to demonstrate a thorough understanding of your project as a reviewer tries to understand your organization’s needs.

Simultaneously, getting too far into the weeds can confuse readers. While you want to paint as clear of a picture as possible, it is important to remember to keep it simple. Walk through your logic model with someone unfamiliar with the project. Ask them: 

• Is there overcomplicated jargon?

• Does the model clearly shoe how each activity leads to an expected result? If you removed the labels, would the flow of the project still make sense?

• Would the reviewer be able to explain your program back to you after seeing it?

Finally, use SMART objectives to guide how you write your outputs and outcomes. SMART objectives stand for:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Relevant

• Time-bound

Outputs vs. Outcomes

Outputs: What Did Your Organization Do?

Outputs answer what your organization did or produced. Avoid using vague language such as “improved attendance.” Use specific, measurable language that tells a reader exactly what is being done. For example, “300 students improved their attendance compared to the year prior.”

Outcomes: What Did Your Organization Change?

Outcomes demonstrate the changes that come as a result of your outputs in learning, behavior, and/or overall conditions. Like outputs, outcomes still need to be measurable and demonstrate a change has taken place. An example of this would be, “participants demonstrate increased knowledge of the negative effects truancy has on students.”

However, they must remain relevant and be reasonably connected to the outputs before it. This means they must also be achievable given these outputs.

How Elevate Consulting Services Can Help

Developing a logic model for your grant proposal will help your organization craft the most effective case for support. Understanding the basic components of your proposal is the first step in crafting your case for support. Forcing yourself to look at your program objectively can be difficult, but will only benefit your organization. 

Whether you’re a nonprofit just starting your grant journey or an established organization looking to expand your funding opportunities, Elevate Consulting Services is here to guide you every step of the way. If you are struggling to understand the grant writing process or need advice, contact Elevate Consulting Services today.

Learn more at www.elevateconsultingsvcs.com.