Describing Library Problems that Need Funding
In my last post, I shared about the importance of aligning your grant application to a funding agency’s
priorities. In this post, I will discuss how to describe problems for funding.
It is important that the grant application you submit have a clear problem that needs solving. Most grant
applications will require that you write a statement of the problem. The statement of your problem is
the “hook” and should, therefore, peak the grant reviewers’ interest.
The problem statement should have one clear sentence and supporting data. This section needs to
clearly describe the problem your proposed activity will solve. The problem should be supported by
data.
For the purposes of illustration, let’s say that you plan to apply for funds to create a youth literary
magazine. Your statement of the problem needs to clearly describe the problem the magazine will solve.
Include data on how the youth in your community are looking for a place to express themselves and feel
that they belong. Include data on how writing helps youth succeed in school and gain important life
skills.
To locate data relevant to your project, review sites such as:
Local school district
City government
Chamber of Commerce
Department of Education
State
County
Regional Councils
Original published research
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Census data
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Others specific to your project
Once you have described the problem and supported it with data, you should clearly explain how your
proposed activity will address the problem. In other words, your proposed activity is your method for
solving (or partially solving) the problem.
Reach out to PKS Grant Management and Accounting Solutions, LLC for additional ideas on writing a
problem statement.
