Making the Complex Simple

The Best Tool In Any Leader’s Toolbox

Question 1:  What is the problem?

(Describe what is wrong, who is affected, and the implications of the problem within the community.)

What social problems are you trying to solve? Who is affected by the problem?

What information indicates that this is a problem?

How robust and durable is the problem?

Ouestion 2: What is the solution?

(Describe the solution to the problem and build a rationale for your organization’s proposed services.)

What is the solution to the problem? What evidence exists that this solution works?

What is the mission of your organization?

What programs or services do you propose that will address the problem?

What are the specific goals of your program?

Who will provide these services? Where? When? How?

Question 3: What is our opportunity?

(Define your customers, their desires, and the market opportunityfor your proposed services.)

Who are your primary (target population) and secondary customers?

What do these customers value and want?

(Primary customers are those whose lives will be changed through you work. Secondary customers are those individuals and groups who must be satisfied in order for the organization to acheive results. They may include donors, churches, volunteers, etc.)

What is the size of this market?

How will the market change in the future?

Who else is providing similar serverices to these customers?

What makes your services unique?

What unique opportunities and qualifications does your organization have to address the problem?

Question 4: What results are expected?

(Describe what effect you expect to produce on the clients. Define what, how much, and when change is expected.)

How do you currently define results? How successful are you?

As a result of this initiative, what measurable results will you achieve?

Question 5: Who will lead this venture?

(Profile the leaders and their qualifications. Describe the staffing necessary to implement this initiative.)

Who are the key managers of the proposed initiative?

What are their various roles?

What previous successes do they have in this area?

What skills and knowledge do they bring?

What other staff or volunteers are involved?

What are their various roles?

Question 6: What capital is required?

(Describe the initial capital requirements of the venture and your financial plan for sustaining the project.)

What is the annual budget? What are your current sources and uses of financial captial?

What is the total cost of this specific venture? What will the funds be used for?

How much is still needed? What is your plan for raising additional capital?

Question 7: What are we offering?

(Describe the project to a prospective donor. Define the full opportunity for partnership, including the desired investment of expertise, time, relationships, and financial capital.)

What kind of financial investment are youseeking from a partner? What will it be used for?

What return on investment caoul a financial partner expect from this venture?

(Total cost/number impacted)

What outside expertise and additional resources are desired? Why is this expertise important?