A project description clearly outlines what you plan to do with grant funding, how you’ll do it, and what outcomes you expect. Here’s a detailed example for a hypothetical literacy program:
Project Title:
“Reading Bridges: Building Literacy Skills for At-Risk Elementary Students”
Project Overview
Reading Bridges will provide intensive literacy intervention services to 120 third through fifth-grade students who are reading below grade level in three high-need elementary schools in Springfield’s West Side district. Over 18 months, certified reading specialists will deliver small-group tutoring sessions, family literacy workshops, and teacher professional development to improve reading proficiency rates and prevent long-term academic failure.
Goals and Objectives
Primary Goal: Increase reading proficiency among participating students to reduce the achievement gap in Springfield’s highest-need schools.
Specific Objectives:
- 80% of participating students will improve their reading level by at least one grade level within the program year
- 65% of students will score proficient or above on state reading assessments
- 90% of participating families will complete at least three family literacy workshops
- 100% of participating teachers will implement at least two evidence-based reading strategies learned through professional development
Target Population
Reading Bridges will serve 120 students ages 8-11 in grades 3-5 who score below the 25th percentile on standardized reading assessments. These students attend Lincoln Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, and Washington Elementary, where 85% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch and 60% are English language learners. Priority enrollment will be given to students who are two or more grade levels behind in reading.
Project Activities and Timeline
Months 1-2: Program Setup
- Recruit and hire three certified reading specialists
- Conduct pre-program assessments using standardized reading diagnostic tools
- Establish tutoring spaces in each school location
- Purchase curriculum materials and reading resources
Months 3-14: Program Implementation
- Small-group tutoring sessions: Each reading specialist will conduct four 45-minute sessions weekly with groups of 8-10 students, using research-based interventions including guided reading, phonics reinforcement, and comprehension strategies
- Family literacy workshops: Monthly 90-minute workshops covering home reading support, vocabulary building, and educational advocacy, with childcare and translation services provided
- Teacher professional development: Quarterly half-day training sessions for 24 classroom teachers on differentiated reading instruction and progress monitoring
Months 15-18: Assessment and Sustainability Planning
- Conduct post-program reading assessments
- Analyze outcome data and prepare impact report
- Develop sustainability plan with school district
- Celebrate student achievements and family participation
Methodology and Evidence Base
Reading Bridges employs the Orton-Gillingham approach, a structured literacy method proven effective for struggling readers. Small group instruction allows for individualized attention while building peer support. The family engagement component addresses research showing that parental involvement significantly impacts reading success. Teacher professional development ensures classroom reinforcement of intervention strategies.
Staffing Plan
Project Director (0.25 FTE): Dr. Maria Santos, M.Ed. in Reading Education with 15 years’ experience, will oversee program implementation and evaluation.
Reading Specialists (3.0 FTE): Three certified specialists with master’s degrees in reading education will deliver direct services. Each will serve 40 students across multiple schools.
Family Engagement Coordinator (0.5 FTE): Bilingual coordinator will manage family workshops and home-school communication.
Expected Outcomes
Student Outcomes:
- 96 students (80%) will advance at least one reading level
- 78 students (65%) will achieve grade-level proficiency
- Average reading growth will be 1.5 grade levels per student
Family Outcomes:
- 108 families (90%) will complete workshop series
- 85% of families will report increased confidence supporting reading at home
- Home reading time will increase by average of 20 minutes daily
System Outcomes:
- 24 teachers will demonstrate competency in new reading strategies
- Schools will integrate successful practices into regular programming
- District will commit to sustaining key program elements
Key Success Factors
This project builds on our organization’s 12-year track record of literacy programming, established relationships with target schools, and proven ability to engage families. The evidence-based approach, qualified staff, and comprehensive evaluation plan position Reading Bridges for measurable impact on student reading achievement.
What Makes this Example Effective
This project description succeeds because it clearly articulates the what, who, how, and why of the proposed project. It includes specific, measurable objectives that directly address the identified need. The methodology is evidence-based and the timeline is realistic. The description demonstrates organizational capacity through qualified staff and established relationships.
When writing your own project description, adapt this structure to your specific program while maintaining the same level of detail, specificity, and connection between activities and expected outcomes.
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