Why are Logic Models Important?
Logic models are the heart and soul of a successful grant application. Wait, before we get there, let's take a minute to answer one question: What do logic models have to do with writing grants?
Logic models are used in several different ways. Logic models:
Tie available resources to organizational goals.
Align activities to desired outcomes.
Are tools to engage stakeholders.
Most importantly, logic models are used as internal tools to help organizations develop programs and are used as external tools to communicate the programs intended outcome to funders.
Eureka! Yes, logic models help your organization identify resources to support ongoing activities, define the measurable outputs from these activities, determine short-term, intermediate term, and long term outcomes and how they align with the vision or goals of the organization.
Sounds like a proposal huh? Yes, logic models essentially spell out in a very logical and detailed way how your program impacts the community. Logic models are even stronger when the outcomes are S.M.A.R.T. (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time bound). Once this happens, you are speaking a funders language.
Completing a logic model is not a one-time event. Logic models are used not only to design a program, but to expand a program or revise an existing program. What is also really neat is that logic models are graphical representations of your programs. They are easy to use to talk potential stakeholders in a way that is easy to understand.
The next time you need to write a proposal for your programs, make sure you've complete a logical model first. Logic models have the potential to turn a basic proposal into a winning proposal.
-Shavonn
Shavonn Richardson, MBA, GPC is Founder and CEO of Think and Ink Grant Consulting™. She is an active speaker, grant professional, and member of the Grant Professionals Association. Shavonn earned an MBA from Emory University in 2012 and the GPC (Grant Professional Certified) credential from the Grant Professionals Certification Institute in 2020.
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Learn more about logic models and the "Get.Grants.Better" grant writing process at www.thinkandinkgrants.com