Big Ideas

This article is about one of my favorite topics.

I believe in big ideas. They imagine a world without conflict, cures for cancer, a stable planet, and equity in education. Big ideas inspire vision and shape programs that drive progress. They excite your supporters about possibilities for making the world a better place.

Get attention for your big idea
Proposals and other fundraising documents are vehicles for communicating your big idea. A strong case that uses carefully constructed, powerful language to articulate your vision can encourage donors, institutions, and people of influence to contribute their resources to your cause, to the fullest extent possible.

Too often, however, opportunities to interest supporters and mobilize action are missed because your vision is not clearly and persuasively stated.

A successful proposal presents:

• Your big idea
• Why it’s needed
• Why it’s needed now
• How you will achieve it
• How you’ll know it’s working
• Your capacity for moving a big agenda forward
• Resources needed to make it happen
• The commitment of early investors and plans for broadening support

Be bold
When it comes to big ideas, caution can limit impact. We don’t want to overpromise. Or we don’t believe our program truly contributes to large-scale change. Or we assume our big idea will be dismissed because it’s, well, too big.

A big idea with a straightforward roadmap that aligns with your program’s goals, objectives, and outcomes will be respected. At the very least, it should help your proposal get a second look.

Here’ an example
A well-equipped neighborhood park (funding request) provides a safe place where kids can be active, learn to resolve disputes, and form friendships (objectives); while helping reduce community tensions (goal); and contributing to a safer, more stable city (big idea).

From research on molecules that fight disease, to training teachers in how to spark the passion of future poets and environmentalists, to engineering solutions that improve highways and save lives, your programs have impact. By demonstrating how your idea contributes to a better world, you can maximize the involvement of donors with the passion, talent, and resources needed to make a difference.