Objectives within the context of grants are used to try and explain the changes that the grant seekers want to make in their local context. The objectives defined what kind of change and how much change will take place. In other words, objectives are outcome-focused.

It is important to not use objectives to explain how things will change. Defining how things will change is a method and not an objective. Objectives help readers see what will change by the completion of the project.

Below are the major components of grant objective(s)

• Action statement
• Performance measure(s)
• Performance standard(s)
• Timeline
• Costs

Action Statement

The action statement contains a verb that clearly defines what is going to change. Below is an action statement.

To decrease the number of youth who commit crimes after release from the ABC drug program

This is a good start. The action statement clearly defines that we are trying to decrease how many kids commited crimes. However, alone, this objective lacks quantitative features that allow us to assess how successful the program is.

Performance Measure(s)

Performance measures are the variables that are measured to indicate success or failure. What these variables are can depend largely on the context of the grant. Below is our updated objective about the drug program.

To decrease the number of youth who commit crimes after release from the ABC drug program (action statement),as measured by the number of refferals received after completing the program (performance measure),

In the example above, we will know if the youth who commit crimes after release is going up or down based on the number of referrals that are received. Referrals are a way to document offenses that youths may have committed.

Performance Standard

Performance standards provide the objective with a clear quantitative way of defining what is good. For example, in grading 90% is an ‘A’ grade. Below is an example of a performance standard within the context of our objective

To decrease the number of youth who commit crimes after release from the ABC drug program (action statement), as measured by the number of refferals received after completing the program (performance measure), by at least 25% (performance standard).

Now we know how much referrals must decline in order to consider the program a success. How this number was determined is beyond the scope of this blog post. It is important that performance standards are thought out and researched so that they are challenging but achievable.

Timeline & Cost

The timeline provides a framework for how long it will take to see results. Cost provides an estimate of the amount of money that is needed. Below is our final objective

To decrease the number of youth who commit crimes after release from the ABC drug program (action statement), as measured by the number of refferals received after completing the program (performance measure), by at least 25% (performance standard) per year (timeline) at a cost of $15,000 a year (cost)

The timeline in which the performance standards are measured is yearly. The statement above is a great summary of the high points of funding this particular program.

Conclusion

The goal of a grant proposal is to communicate as clearly as possible. Naturally, everybody has a different opinion on what is clear. However, starting with a framework like the one above can at least help you get started and have a common reference point with your team. As needed, it will be important to modify the ideas here.