HomeThe Three B’s of Grant Writing

The Three B’s of Grant Writing

While not all grant applications or requirements are the same, they all have one thing in common: you must be clear, concise and specific. Adding One Simple Decision™ (OSD) to your grant will help you speak to, and justify, many standard requirements.

Here are some examples of copy that can be used in an application requesting OSD:

Be Clear…

The One Simple Decision simulator includes a built-in survey, making it the primary tool for measuring the success of our program. The survey will allow us to monitor the number of students we reach and their demographics. It will also allow us to ask questions about students’ beliefs and behaviors before and then again after the program concludes. We will also provide our funding sponsor with the option to include custom questions in the survey.Sample survey questions:
  • What is your age?
  • What is your gender?
  • After using OSD, how would you describe the consequences of distracted driving?
  • After using OSD, how likely are you to drive distracted in the future?
  • After using OSD, how would you describe the consequences of impaired driving?
  • After using OSD, how likely are you to drive impaired in the future?
  • What is your preferred method to learn about driver safety?

Be Concise…

The portable simulator includes an all-in-one touch screen computer (no computer tower), a steering wheel and foot pedals. The system includes a foam-padded hard case on wheels that fits into any car, allowing students to use it anywhere. Set up literally requires a table, a chair, and plugging in a few cords.Our project is scalable and flexible, and the simulator is designed to be used without instruction when needed. Its portability and ease of use makes it a seamless addition to any safe driving message, including your own. In addition to making it available through our own efforts as described herein, we will make it available to our funding sponsor. Furthermore, the computer monitor and the software itself can feature custom branding and messaging.Promotional outreach will target statewide media outlets, law enforcement, school districts, and governmental agencies (i.e. Department of Education, transportation, justice, etc.), all of which will include recognition of our funding partner.

Be Specific…

Of all fatal crashes in 2008 the highest percentage of drivers with a BAC level of .08 or higher was for drivers ages 21 to 24 (34%). The change in percentage of driver fatalities with a BAC level of .08 or higher has increased among this age group by 6% from 1998 to 2008. During the same timeframe, 17% of fatalities among drivers ages 16-20 had a BAC of .08 or greater.NHTSA also reports that 33 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities were unrestrained in 2008, and that 30% of all 2008 traffic fatalities in California had a driver or motorcycle rider BAC of .08+ and 2.5% of them were in Sacramento County alone, making Sacramento County the 8th highest county in California for alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2008. (http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov)Also according to NHTSA research, 39 of Sacramento County’s 2008 fatalities and injuries were a direct result of an alcohol-related collision. Furthermore, in 2008 alone, NHTSA reported 5,870 fatalities and an estimated 515,000 people injured in police-reported crashes in which at least one form of driver distraction was reported. Distractions among young drivers are of particular concern, as the highest incidence of distracted driving occurs in the under-20 age group. And 64% of young drivers ages 15 to 20 in passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes who had been drinking were unrestrained.NHTSA’s Distracted Driving Program involves four initiatives. The Overview of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Driver Distraction Program states, “The fourth initiative, a behavioral approach, seeks to educate drivers on the risks and consequences of distracted driving.”Please contact VDI for additional help writing OSD into your grant application.

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