Personalized Major Gift Proposal
Tailored proposal for 5-6 figure gift from individual donor
The Prompt
The Prompt
BEFORE YOU START: Quick readiness check
- Can you clearly answer: (1) Why this donor? (2) Why this amount? (3) Why now?
- If not, pause and gather more information before running this prompt.
INFORMATION GATHERING CHECKLIST (mark what you have)
REQUIRED:
- [ ] [DONOR NAME] and [DONOR INTERESTS/PRIORITIES] (2–4 themes, e.g., first-gen students, climate resilience)
- [ ] [PROJECT NAME] and [TOTAL PROJECT COST]
- [ ] [PRIMARY ASK AMOUNT] and [YEARS] (pledge period)
- [ ] [ORGANIZATION NAME] and [MISSION/FOCUS]
- [ ] [SIGNER NAME, TITLE] and [CONTACT INFO] (email and phone)
RECOMMENDED:
- [ ] [CURRENT FUNDS RAISED] and [FUNDING GAP]
- [ ] [ALT ASK 1] and [ALT ASK 2] (typically ~60% and ~150% of primary ask)
- [ ] Donor touchpoints in past 12–18 months (gifts, visits, meetings, event attendance, emails)
- [ ] [REPORTING CADENCE] (quarterly, biannually, annually)
- [ ] [RECOGNITION OPTIONS] and [PRIVACY PREFERENCE]
- [ ] [GEOGRAPHY/COMMUNITY] where the project operates
OPTIONAL (enhances personalization):
- [ ] [OPTIONAL: ANECDOTE/STORY] (2–3 sentences linking donor to mission)
- [ ] [MATCH/CHALLENGE INFO] (source, timing, ratio, cap)
- [ ] [MEETING DATE/DEADLINE]
- [ ] [ED/BOARD APPROVAL STATUS] (e.g., ED approved; Board Dev. Committee endorsed)
- [ ] [PER-UNIT COST EXAMPLES] (2–3 concrete items)
- [ ] Key risks and mitigations
- [ ] [FORMAT PREFERENCE: formal letter / PDF proposal / email proposal]
- [ ] [TONE: FORMAL / WARM / CASUAL]
PROMPT:
Draft a personalized major gift proposal for [DONOR NAME] in support of [PROJECT NAME] at [ORGANIZATION NAME], tailored to [DONOR INTERESTS/PRIORITIES] and our work in [GEOGRAPHY/COMMUNITY].
OVERALL SPECIFICATIONS:
- Length: For asks $50K+: 1,100–1,500 words. For asks under $50K: 800–1,000 words (combine sections as noted below).
- Format: [FORMAT PREFERENCE: formal letter / PDF proposal / email proposal – default to formal letter].
- Visual/formatting:
- Use clear section headings in Title Case (exact titles listed below).
- Single-spaced, one blank line between paragraphs; bullet lists where specified.
- For formal letter/PDF: include date and inside address block; place logo on letterhead if available.
- For email: include a concise subject line and greeting; omit mailing address block.
- Tone: [TONE – default to WARM]. Reading level: ~10th grade. Short paragraphs (2–4 sentences), active voice, specific numbers.
- Personalization: Reference recent donor touchpoints (past 12–18 months) and make explicit links to [DONOR INTERESTS/PRIORITIES].
- If any data is missing, insert a clear placeholder [TK: describe missing item] and generate realistic, good-faith examples (especially for per-unit costs, outcomes, and milestones) based on the project type.
STRUCTURE (use these headings and order)
1. Cover Letter (120–180 words)
- Link [DONOR NAME]’s connection to [MISSION/FOCUS] and our shared values.
- Reference a recent touchpoint (visit, gift, event) from past 12–18 months.
- [OPTIONAL: Weave in ANECDOTE/STORY in 1–2 sentences].
- Preview the invitation to partner (do not state the ask amount yet).
2. Donor Alignment (150–200 words)
- 3–5 bullet points mapping the project to [DONOR INTERESTS/PRIORITIES].
- Use specific touchpoints (date/year and nature of engagement).
- Make explicit connections (e.g., “Your 2023 scholarship gift supporting first-generation students aligns with this project’s focus on …”).
3. Project Overview (250–350 words)
Include:
- What: Concise description of the project/program and scope.
- Why now: Opportunity or timing without alarmist tone.
- Who benefits: Define target population with numbers and geography (e.g., “120 formerly incarcerated adults annually in Maricopa County”).
- How we deliver: Key activities and approach.
- Equity/access considerations: How the project addresses barriers or advances inclusion.
- Example: “Weekend and evening hours reduce access barriers for caregivers.”
- Risks and mitigations: 1–2 realistic challenges and responses.
- Example: “Risk: Hiring delays. Mitigation: Shared staffing pool with partners and stipends for practicum students.”
4. Budget & Request (200–250 words)
- Total project cost: [TOTAL PROJECT COST]
- Raised to date: [CURRENT FUNDS RAISED]
- Funding gap: [FUNDING GAP]
Primary ask:
- “We invite you to consider a gift of [PRIMARY ASK AMOUNT] over [YEARS].”
- Show annual pledge schedule (e.g., “$50,000 per year for three years”).
- [If applicable: Note MATCH/CHALLENGE INFO with ratio, cap, and timing.]
Alternative gift levels:
- [ALT ASK 1] would enable [specific scope or component].
- [ALT ASK 2] would enable [expanded scope or duration].
Per-unit cost examples (2–3):
- Example template 1: “$2,500 supports one student for a full academic year (tuition gap, books, tutoring, mentorship).”
- Example template 2: “$15,000 equips one classroom with laptops, connectivity, and teacher training.”
- Use [PER-UNIT COST EXAMPLES] if provided, or generate realistic equivalents based on the project.
5. Outcomes & Measurement (200–250 words)
Present 3–5 outcomes in this format:
- Outcome: [Specific result].
- Baseline: [Current state with number/year].
- Target: [Goal with number and timeframe].
- Data source: [System, survey, or third-party verification].
- Reporting: [REPORTING CADENCE] with format (dashboard + narrative).
Example:
- Outcome: Increase program completion.
- Baseline: 62% (2023 cohort).
- Target: 80% by Year 2.
- Data source: Participant database; external evaluator validates.
- Reporting: Quarterly dashboard; annual narrative summary.
6. Timeline & Milestones (150–200 words)
- Year 1: Month-by-month or quarter-by-quarter milestones.
- Years 2+: Quarter-by-quarter through [YEARS].
- Include 4–6 concrete milestones with dates and brief descriptors.
- Use a simple bulleted timeline.
7. Recognition (100–150 words)
- Present [RECOGNITION OPTIONS] (e.g., named fund, room naming, annual report, website feature).
- Honor [PRIVACY PREFERENCE], including anonymous recognition if desired.
- Frame as “ways we would be honored to recognize your partnership.”
8. Co-Design & Engagement (100–150 words)
Invite input on 2–3 decisions, such as:
- Focus site selection among candidate locations.
- Evaluation emphasis (e.g., employment outcomes vs. skill gains).
- Learning agenda questions to test during pilot.
- [Optional: Mention an advisory role or periodic learning sessions.]
- Emphasize genuine partnership: “Your insights would strengthen this work.”
9. Stewardship & Reporting (100–150 words)
Specify:
- Who reports: role/name (e.g., “Program Director Sarah Chen”).
- Cadence: [REPORTING CADENCE].
- Format: Financial statements plus narrative stories; brief dashboards.
- Engagement: Site or virtual visits, beneficiary story sharing, annual impact briefing.
10. Governance/Approvals (50–75 words)
- [ED/BOARD APPROVAL STATUS] (e.g., “Reviewed by ED and Board Development Committee on [date]”).
- Fiscal controls and restricted fund handling (segregated accounts; audited annually).
- Brief note on financial health/audit status if relevant.
11. Next Steps (75–100 words)
- Invite conversation by [MEETING DATE/DEADLINE] if provided.
- Provide clear contact: [CONTACT INFO].
- Warm close reinforcing partnership.
- Signature block:
- [SIGNER NAME, TITLE]
- Phone | Email | Organization website
- Mailing address
- For PDF/letter, place logo on letterhead; for email, include a concise subject line and email signature.
QUALITY STANDARDS
Do:
- Use concrete numbers and specific examples throughout.
- Write in active voice and short paragraphs.
- Present partnership and choice while showing confidence in the plan.
- Use “you/your” to stay donor-centered.
- Define any acronyms on first use.
- Include brief transitions between sections to maintain flow.
Avoid:
- Clichés (“transformational,” “game-changer,” “unprecedented”).
- Jargon (“capacity-building,” “value proposition,” “synergies”).
- Desperate urgency (“without your help, this will fail”).
- Vague outcomes (“improve lives”)—specify what will change and by how much.
- Corporate sales language (“deliverables,” “ROI”) unless donor prefers.
For asks under $50K:
- Keep to 800–1,000 words.
- Combine Sections 8–10 into one “Partnership & Next Steps” section (150–200 words) that succinctly covers engagement options, stewardship cadence, and governance/approvals.
Generate the complete proposal now.How to Customize
- Replace all [BRACKETED] fields with your specific information
- Adjust tone and length as needed for your audience
- Review and personalize before using
Pro Tips
- Test this prompt with your preferred AI tool before using in production
- Always review AI output for accuracy and appropriateness
- Customize outputs to match your organization’s voice and brand
Related Prompts
(See other prompts in the fundraising category)
Example Outputs
Compare scenarios: We tested this prompt with 3 different nonprofit contexts. Each scenario shows outputs from GPT-5, Claude, and Gemini. Select a model above each scenario to compare.
Small Community Org
Rural health nonprofit in Appalachia expanding a mobile dental clinic; family foundation donor with rural health interests.
View scenario details
November 2, 2025
The Willow Creek Family Foundation Attn: Jenna Lee, Program Officer N/A N/A
Subject: Partnering to Expand Rural Oral Health Access in McDowell and Wyoming Counties
Dear Ms. Lee and the Willow Creek Family Foundation,
At Pine Hollow Community Health Coalition, we provide integrated primary care, dental, and behavioral health services to uninsured and underinsured residents across southern West Virginia. Your focus on rural health access, oral health, maternal and child health, and Appalachia resonates deeply with our mission and the daily realities of families in McDowell and Wyoming Counties.
During your visit to our Welch clinic in April, your team watched as a patient who had been in pain for months finally received relief. Moments like that are why we bring care directly to remote hollers. When you joined our free care day, you met Sarah, a grandmother who had lived with a painful abscess for months. After a 45-minute visit on the van, she said she finally slept through the night. We write to invite you to partner with us to expand that kind of relief to more neighbors through our Pine Hollow Mobile Dental Clinic Expansion.
Donor Alignment
- Rural health access: Your Appalachian health portfolio prioritizes care delivered where people live. Our mobile clinic drives directly to coal camps and hollers in McDowell and Wyoming Counties—reducing transportation, cost, and time barriers you emphasized during your April 2025 site visit. - Oral health: Your 2024 oral health initiative seeded school-based sealants in rural districts. Our expansion adds a second hygiene chair and portable digital X-ray to increase preventive services and urgent care in frontier communities you care about. - Maternal and child health: Your 2023 grant for maternal wellness aligns with our prenatal oral health protocol launched in 2024 with local OB practices—screenings and same-day treatment to reduce infection risk during pregnancy and early childhood. - Appalachia: Your commitment to sustained investment in Appalachian communities mirrors our model of year-round service, local hiring, and partnerships with schools, churches, WIC, and Family Resource Networks. - Recent engagement: In April 2025, Program Officer Jenna Lee rode along with our team in Welch; in June 2025, we shared preliminary mobile visit data; and in September 2025, you participated in our Rural Oral Health roundtable.
Project Overview
What: The Pine Hollow Mobile Dental Clinic Expansion will increase the clinic’s operating days, add evening and Saturday hours, equip a second hygiene chair, and deploy a portable digital X-ray unit. We will also add staff to reach more families with preventive care and urgent treatment across McDowell and Wyoming Counties.
Why now: Demand has outpaced capacity. In 2024, our mobile unit completed 1,120 visits with a 6.5-week average wait time. School partners and OB providers have requested more days, and a local hospital has offered a 1:1 match for expansion gifts committed by December 31, 2025. The timing allows us to meet immediate need and leverage local dollars.
Who benefits: Approximately 2,000 low-income residents annually in McDowell and Wyoming Counties—including pregnant people and caregivers, children in 10 schools, elders with chronic conditions, and adults who have deferred care due to cost or travel barriers.
How we deliver: We operate a fully equipped mobile dental clinic that parks at schools, churches, community centers, and workplaces. The expansion funds 1.0 FTE dental hygienist, 0.5 FTE dentist, 0.5 FTE dental assistant, supplies, fuel, a second hygiene chair, and a portable digital X-ray. We will integrate with primary care and behavioral health for whole-person support and coordinate referrals using our Dentrix electronic health record (EHR).
Equity/access: Evening and weekend hours reduce barriers for caregivers and shift workers. Sliding fees, on-site enrollment in Medicaid/CHIP, and bilingual staff support inclusion. We partner with WIC and OB offices to prioritize prenatal patients and young children.
Risks and mitigations: - Hiring delays: We will use a shared staffing pool with two partner clinics and offer stipends to WVU School of Dentistry practicum students. - Vehicle downtime: A preventive maintenance contract and a backup stationary operatory at our Welch site ensure continuity of care.
Budget & Request
Total project cost: $420,000 Raised to date: $265,000 Funding gap: $155,000
We invite you to consider a gift of $100,000 over 2 years to close the majority of the gap and accelerate service expansion. A pledge schedule of $50,000 in 2026 and $50,000 in 2027 would be fully eligible for the local hospital’s 1:1 match (up to $50,000 total) for gifts committed by December 31, 2025.
Alternative gift levels: - $60,000 over 2 years would enable us to equip the second hygiene chair and staff an additional clinic day every other week. - $150,000 over 2 years would allow us to extend service to an additional community (Itmann) one week per month for two years.
Concrete cost examples: - $350 covers one urgent dental visit (exam, X-ray, filling or extraction). - $5,000 funds one week of mobile clinic service to a remote holler (fuel, supplies, staffing). - $12,000 purchases a portable digital X-ray unit.
Outcomes & Measurement
We will track and report progress on clear metrics:
- Outcome: Increase annual rural dental visits; reduce wait times; add evening hours; expand service area by one town. - Baseline: 1,120 mobile dental visits in 2024; average wait time 6.5 weeks; 0 evening clinics/month; 10 service sites. - Target: 1,800 visits annually; wait times under 3 weeks; 4 evening clinics/month; 13 service sites (including Itmann) by end of Year 2. - Data source: Dentrix EHR; appointment logs.
- Outcome: Improve access for pregnant patients and children. - Baseline: 96 prenatal patients and 310 children served in 2024. - Target: 180 prenatal patients and 550 children served annually by Year 2; fluoride varnish for 80% of children seen. - Data source: Dentrix EHR; OB and school referral logs.
- Outcome: Increase preventive care and decrease urgent-only visits. - Baseline: 42% of visits preventive; 58% urgent in 2024. - Target: 60% preventive; 40% urgent by Year 2. - Data source: Annual chart audit by WVU School of Dentistry; Dentrix reports.
- Outcome: Patient experience and follow-through. - Baseline: 78% satisfaction; 62% completion of recommended follow-up in 2024. - Target: 90% satisfaction; 80% follow-through by Year 2. - Data source: CAHPS-style patient survey; care navigator logs.
Reporting: Biannually, we will share a concise dashboard and a brief narrative with patient stories, plus financials tied to the restricted project budget.
Timeline & Milestones
Year 1 (2026) - Q1: Finalize staffing (hygienist, assistant); order second hygiene chair and portable X-ray; refresh route schedule with school and OB partners. - Q2: Install equipment; launch two evening clinics per month; reduce wait time to under 5 weeks. - Q3: Add Saturday clinics twice monthly; begin prenatal priority days with OB partners. - Q4: Serve 800 additional visits year-to-date; pilot one-week-per-month service in Itmann.
Year 2 (2027) - Q1–Q2: Expand to four evening clinics per month; maintain Saturday schedule; achieve wait times under 4 weeks. - Q3–Q4: Reach 1,800 annual visits; maintain under 3-week wait time; complete WVU chart audit and share biannual report.
Recognition
We would be honored to recognize your partnership in ways that reflect your values: - Name on the mobile clinic exterior and creation of the “Willow Creek Dental Access Fund.” - Recognition in our annual report and on our website. - Joint local press release when service expands to Itmann and during school-based clinics. If you prefer, we will honor anonymity in all public materials.
Co-Design & Engagement
Your insights would strengthen this work. We invite your input on: - Site selection among candidate locations (e.g., Itmann, Coalwood, Ikes Fork) based on access gaps. - Evaluation emphasis—whether to weight maternal/child outcomes, preventive ratios, or geographic reach. - Learning agenda questions, such as the impact of evening versus Saturday hours on caregiver access.
We will host quarterly Rural Oral Health Advisory huddles with your program team and welcome site visits during spring and fall service weeks. Virtual briefings are available at your convenience.
Stewardship & Reporting
Program oversight and reporting will be led by N/A, Program Director, with support from Maria Ortiz. We will report biannually with: - A concise dashboard of outcomes and service data. - A brief narrative featuring patient stories and lessons learned. - Financial statements detailing the restricted fund’s use. We also welcome in-person or virtual check-ins, ride-alongs on the mobile clinic, and an annual impact briefing with our clinical and community partners.
Governance/Approvals
This proposal is ED approved; Board Health Committee endorsed on October 15, 2025. Funds will be held in a segregated, restricted account and used solely for the Pine Hollow Mobile Dental Clinic Expansion. Pine Hollow Community Health Coalition undergoes an annual independent audit and maintains strong internal controls and board oversight.
Next Steps
We would welcome a conversation by December 12, 2025 to discuss alignment and the best path forward, including the match opportunity available through year-end. Please contact us at maria.ortiz@phchc.org or 304-555-1874. Thank you for your steadfast commitment to rural oral health and to Appalachian families. We are grateful for your partnership and excited about what we can accomplish together.
With appreciation,
N/A, N/A 304-555-1874 | maria.ortiz@phchc.org | N/A Pine Hollow Community Health Coalition N/A
Enclosures: Budget detail; Preliminary route expansion map; Letters of support from partners in McDowell and Wyoming Counties
AI Evaluation Details (Score: 7.4/10)
The proposal demonstrates strong structure, warm tone, and comprehensive content that follows the template well. However, it contains multiple technical errors (N/A placeholders, incorrect date, missing address fields) that would prevent immediate use and suggest incomplete data handling. The content quality is high when present, but execution issues significantly reduce practical utility.
- • Excellent tone calibration—warm, professional, donor-centered language throughout that avoids jargon and clichés
- • Strong personalization with specific touchpoints (April 2025 visit, June data sharing, September roundtable) and compelling anecdote about Sarah
- • Comprehensive outcomes framework with clear baselines, targets, data sources, and realistic metrics (1,120 to 1,800 visits, 6.5 to 3 weeks wait time)
- • Effective use of concrete cost examples ($350/visit, $5,000/week, $12,000/X-ray) that make the ask tangible
- • Well-structured co-design section that offers genuine partnership opportunities without being perfunctory
- • Appropriate reading level and paragraph length—accessible and scannable
- • Good integration of match opportunity throughout (mentioned in context, not oversold)
- • Risk mitigation section is realistic and credible (shared staffing pool, backup operatory)
- • Critical data errors: Multiple 'N/A' placeholders appear in signature block (signer title, website, address) and Program Director name—these should have been populated from provided data or flagged as [TK] per instructions
- • Date inconsistency: Letter dated 'November 2, 2025' but scenario data shows 'November 20, 2025'—suggests template default wasn't updated
- • Missing inside address: Foundation address block shows 'N/A' lines instead of proper formatting or [TK] placeholder
- • Subject line included in formal letter format—the prompt specifies subject lines are for email format only; formal letters should omit this
- • Enclosures mentioned at end are not part of the deliverable and may create false expectations
- • Minor: 'Ms. Lee' salutation assumes gender; 'Dear Jenna Lee and the Willow Creek Family Foundation' would be safer
- • The opening paragraph is slightly repetitive—mission statement appears twice in similar language within first three sentences
Mid-Size Professional Org
Urban workforce development nonprofit launching a women-in-data fellowship; individual tech executive donor focused on first-gen students.
View scenario details
[On Chicago Tech Bridge letterhead with logo]
November 2, 2025
Aisha Rahman N/A Street Address N/A City, State ZIP
Dear Ms. Rahman,
Thank you for the time, care, and expertise you pour into Chicago’s talent. Your belief that opportunity should meet potential—no matter a student’s zip code, first-gen status, or gender—mirrors our mission at Chicago Tech Bridge: We connect overlooked Chicago talent to quality tech careers through training, mentorship, and employer partnerships.
I keep thinking about July’s Demo Day. You pulled Marisol aside to refine her story; two weeks later she emailed to share she’d started a paid internship. Your eye for practical advice changes trajectories. We see that impact especially for first-generation women from the South and West Sides who are ready to launch in data careers but need structured training, paid experience, and a network that opens doors.
Enclosed is a proposal to partner on our Women in Data Fellowship. It outlines how we can expand paid internship pathways for first-gen women in STEM across the South and West Sides—with clear outcomes, a phased plan, and multiple ways to engage. We would be honored to explore this with you.
With gratitude,
DeAndre Fields Executive Director Chicago Tech Bridge
1. Cover Letter
[Included above]
2. Donor Alignment
- First-generation students: Your 2024 gift to support first-generation Chicago undergraduates aligns directly with this Fellowship’s core design—coaching first-gen women to earn industry certifications and place into paid data internships. Many fellows are the first in their families to navigate college and tech hiring.
- Women in STEM: At the October 2024 Women in Tech Week panel, you spoke about closing gender gaps in analytics. The Women in Data Fellowship is built for women pursuing data and analytics roles, with women-led instruction, mentoring circles, and employer partners eager to diversify their teams.
- Paid internships: At our July 2025 Demo Day, you stayed after to coach Marisol, a first-gen UIC junior, on her portfolio pitch; she started a paid internship two weeks later. The program guarantees every fellow a paid placement so they can build experience without sacrificing income.
- South and West Sides: During your March 2025 visit to our Bronzeville data lab, you asked smart questions about neighborhood access. This Fellowship operates labs and classes in Austin, North Lawndale, Bronzeville, Englewood, and Little Village, reducing travel barriers and meeting students where they are.
- Mentorship and employer partnerships: Your 2025 email exchange with our team about inclusive interview practices informed our employer playbook. Fellows receive interview coaching, and hiring partners commit to structured projects, fair pay, and conversion pathways.
3. Project Overview
What: The Women in Data Fellowship is a 6–9 month pathway that prepares first-generation women from Chicago’s South and West Sides for paid data internships and entry-level roles. Fellows complete training in Excel, SQL, Python, and data visualization; earn industry certifications; build portfolios; and complete a paid internship with employer partners across sectors.
Scope: Over three years, the Fellowship will serve 100 women (approximately 30–35 per year) and place at least 85 into paid internships and early-career roles. Training occurs at neighborhood data labs and via hybrid evening/weekend modules.
Why now: Chicago’s tech employers continue to add entry-level data roles, yet women—especially first-gen students from the South and West Sides—face barriers to access. New employer commitments and a time-limited stipend match from BlueWave Analytics create a window to scale paid placements and accelerate hiring pipelines in 2026–2028.
Who benefits: First-generation college students and recent grads (ages 18–28), primarily women of color, from Austin, North Lawndale, Bronzeville, Englewood, Little Village, and Back of the Yards. We anticipate 100 fellows across three years, with at least 70% drawn from the South and West Sides.
How we deliver: - Training: 200+ hours in data analytics (Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau/Power BI), project-based learning, and certification prep. - Paid internships: 12–16 weeks with employer partners; structured projects and mentors. - Wraparound supports: Career coaching, mock interviews, mental health check-ins, and emergency microgrants. - Employer partnerships: Memoranda of understanding (MOUs) defining pay, scope, and conversion pathways; hiring manager training on inclusive practices.
Equity/access considerations: - Evening/weekend and hybrid schedules to fit work and caregiving. - Neighborhood labs to reduce transit time and cost. - Paid internships so fellows do not choose between experience and income. - Laptops and hotspots for those who need them.
Risks and mitigations: - Risk: Internship slot shortages during peak hiring seasons. Mitigation: Maintain a diversified employer portfolio with rolling start dates; secure MOUs for minimum annual placements; leverage BlueWave’s match to offset stipend costs for small nonprofits. - Risk: Attrition due to competing obligations. Mitigation: Stipends tied to milestones, flexible pacing, peer cohorts, and a dedicated retention coach; emergency aid for transportation/childcare during internship periods.
4. Budget & Request
Total project cost (3 years): $1,200,000 Raised to date: $680,000 Funding gap: $520,000
We invite you to consider a gift of $250,000 over 3 years to close a meaningful portion of the gap and anchor the Women in Data Fellowship on the South and West Sides. For planning, we can model $100,000 in 2026, $100,000 in 2027, and $50,000 in 2028—or a schedule that fits your preferences.
BlueWave Analytics will match fellow stipends 2:1 up to $100,000 through 6/30/2026. A commitment by January 15, 2026 ensures we fully leverage this match for the first two cohorts.
Alternative partnership levels: - $150,000 over 3 years would enable stipends and wraparound coaching for 20 fellows. - $400,000 over 3 years would enable adding a second annual cohort of 25 fellows starting Year 2.
Illustrative per-unit costs: - $6,500 sponsors one fellow’s 6-month training (tuition, laptop, certification exams). - $15,000 provides paid internship stipends for three fellows. - $25,000 equips a neighborhood data lab (hardware, licenses, instructor time).
Your gift will be restricted to the Women in Data Fellowship and allocated across training, paid internships, wraparound supports, and neighborhood lab operations, with quarterly financial reporting.
5. Outcomes & Measurement
We commit to clear, measurable outcomes and transparent reporting.
- Outcome: Boost completion, industry certifications, and job placement within 6 months. Baseline: 2024 baseline: 62% completion; 48% earn at least one certification; 55% placed within 6 months. Target: By end of Year 2: 80% completion; 70% certification; 75% job placement. Data source: Salesforce program database; CompTIA and Tableau certification records; third-party evaluator (University of Illinois at Chicago). Reporting: Quarterly dashboard plus brief narrative; annual roll-up with evaluator memo.
- Outcome: Increase access to paid internships for first-gen women from South and West Sides. Baseline: 2024: 60% of fellows secured paid internships; average stipend $18/hour. Target: Year 2: 85% internships; minimum $20/hour; 70% from South/West Side neighborhoods. Data source: Employer MOUs; payroll confirmations. Reporting: Quarterly placement table with geography and wage data.
- Outcome: Strengthen conversion to full-time roles and sustained employment. Baseline: 2024: 48% converted to FTE within 6 months; 12-month retention 72%. Target: Year 3: 65% FTE conversion; 12-month retention 80%. Data source: Alumni surveys; employer confirmations; Illinois UI wage data (where available). Reporting: Semiannual alumni snapshot plus annual retention analysis.
- Outcome: Increase income mobility for first-gen women. Baseline: Median pre-program annual income $22,000. Target: Post-placement median starting salary $55,000; 25% achieving $60,000+ by 12 months. Data source: Offer letters; alumni self-report with verification. Reporting: Annual impact brief with anonymized wage outcomes.
6. Timeline & Milestones
Year 1 (2026) - Jan–Feb 2026: Finalize employer MOUs (30+ placements); open applications; admissions decisions (by Feb 15). - Mar 2026: Cohort 1 starts; distribute laptops/hotspots; orientation and baseline assessments. - Apr–Jun 2026: Training modules; certification prep; portfolio projects; employer mock interviews. - Jun 30, 2026: Deadline to maximize BlueWave 2:1 stipend match. - Jul–Sep 2026: Paid internships (12–16 weeks); mid-internship check-ins; supervisor feedback. - Oct 2026: Demo Day; placement wrap; outcomes reporting Q3.
Year 2 (2027) - Jan 2027: Cohort 2 launch; expand to Englewood lab; add 5 new employer partners. - Apr–Jun 2027: Certifications and internships begin; targeted data engineering mini-track pilot. - Oct 2027: Demo Day; evaluator mid-point brief; decision on second annual cohort (if funded).
Year 3 (2028) - Jan 2028: Cohort 3 launch (or Cohorts 3 & 4 if expanded); deepen alumni mentoring network. - Jun 2028: Complete internships; employer conversion follow-up. - Sep–Dec 2028: 6- and 12-month employment/retention checks; final evaluation and closeout report.
7. Recognition
We would be honored to recognize your partnership in ways that reflect your preferences: - Named fellowship cohort (e.g., “Women in Data—Rahman Cohort”). - “Rahman Scholarships” for top fellows each year. - Prominent website feature and social announcement. - On-stage recognition at Demo Day and printed program acknowledgment. - Optional site signage at a neighborhood data lab during your pledge period.
Public recognition is welcomed; anonymous recognition is also possible upon request. We’ll confirm any language with you before sharing broadly.
8. Co-Design & Engagement
We value your practical, talent-focused lens and invite your input on: - Focus site selection: Prioritize expansion among candidate locations (Englewood, Little Village, Austin) based on need and employer proximity. - Evaluation emphasis: Weight employment outcomes vs. skill gains to best reflect what matters most for first-gen women in STEM. - Learning agenda: Test the impact of earlier employer shadowing vs. longer capstone projects on conversion rates.
We also invite you to serve on a quarterly Fellowship Advisory Circle and to host a skills workshop on storytelling with data. Your insights would strengthen this work and keep us accountable to the goals we share.
9. Stewardship & Reporting
- Who reports: Program Director Sarah Chen will lead quarterly reports, with contributions from our Employer Partnerships Lead and external evaluator at UIC. - Cadence: Quarterly reporting aligned to fiscal quarters. - Format: Short dashboard (enrollment, completion, certifications, placements, wages) plus a 2–3 page narrative, selected fellow stories, and financial statements for the restricted fund. - Engagement: Quarterly site or virtual visits; Demo Day invitations; periodic employer roundtables; annual impact briefing focused on first-gen women in STEM from the South and West Sides.
10. Governance/Approvals
This proposal and budget were reviewed and approved by the CEO and Board Development Committee on November 1, 2025. Restricted gifts are segregated in dedicated accounts and tracked by program; finances are audited annually by an independent CPA firm. Chicago Tech Bridge maintains strong fiscal controls and a clean audit record (N/A for most recent auditor note).
11. Next Steps
We would welcome a conversation by January 15, 2026 to discuss this opportunity, answer questions, and co-design a recognition and engagement plan that feels right to you. I’m happy to meet in Bronzeville, at our Austin lab, or via Zoom.
Thank you for all you do for first-generation college students, women in STEM, and Chicago’s South and West Sides. We’re excited about what’s possible together.
Warmly,
DeAndre Fields, Executive Director 312-555-0426 | deandre.fields@chitechbridge.org | www.chitechbridge.org Chicago Tech Bridge N/A Mailing Address Chicago, IL N/A ZIP
Enclosures: PDF proposal; budget; sample dashboard and recent evaluation brief (N/A if not attached)
AI Evaluation Details (Score: 8.4/10)
This is a highly competent major gift proposal that demonstrates strong adherence to the template and nonprofit best practices. The personalization is excellent, the structure is clear, and the donor-centric language is appropriate. However, there are several internal inconsistencies and formatting errors that would require cleanup before use.
- • Exceptional personalization and donor alignment—the Marisol anecdote is woven naturally throughout, and the five bullet points in section 2 make explicit, specific connections to the donor's interests and past touchpoints
- • Strong outcomes framework with clear baselines, targets, data sources, and reporting cadence that demonstrates accountability without jargon
- • Excellent use of concrete numbers and specifics throughout (neighborhood names, certification types, wage data, timeline dates) that build credibility
- • Warm, confident tone that balances partnership language with clear programmatic vision—avoids desperation while genuinely inviting co-design
- • Smart use of the BlueWave match as urgency without being alarmist, tied to a specific deadline
- • Equity and access considerations are integrated naturally rather than feeling like checkbox items
- • Risk mitigation section is realistic and solution-oriented rather than defensive
- • Internal inconsistency: Cover letter is dated November 2, 2025, but the letterhead date shows November 21, 2025, and the approval date is November 1, 2025—these should align
- • Signer title inconsistency: Opens as 'Executive Director' but scenario specifies 'Chief Executive Officer' and section 10 references 'CEO'—should be consistent throughout
- • Multiple 'N/A' placeholders remain (street address, ZIP, auditor note, enclosures) that would need completion before use, though the prompt does acknowledge some data was missing
- • Section 1 'Cover Letter' heading appears after the letter itself, creating structural confusion—the letter should either be unlabeled or the heading should be removed
- • Minor: The proposal is approximately 1,850 words, exceeding the 1,100–1,500 word target for a $250K ask, though the content quality justifies most of the length
- • The 'N/A Street Address' in the inside address block is awkward—better to use '[TK: Donor mailing address]' as a placeholder per the prompt's conventions
Large Established Org
Regional environmental NGO leading a multi-site coastal restoration initiative; corporate foundation donor focused on climate resilience.
View scenario details
November 2, 2025
Mariner Bank Foundation Attn: Grants Committee N/A Street Address N/A City, State ZIP
Subject: Proposal for the Coastal Wetlands Restoration & Resilience Initiative
1. Cover Letter
On behalf of Pacific Coastal Conservancy Alliance (PCCA), thank you for your leadership in climate resilience, coastal community vitality, workforce development, and corporate volunteerism. Your commitment aligns directly with our mission: We restore and protect West Coast ecosystems while advancing community resilience and equitable access to nature.
Last spring at Point Pinole, your CSR team joined 120 community volunteers—many employees’ families—planting thousands of sedge and cordgrass plugs beside local teens earning restoration stipends. That shared effort is exactly the partnership we hope to deepen. It demonstrated how ecological restoration, community engagement, and green job training reinforce each other on the shoreline communities we serve.
We respectfully submit the enclosed request to join us as a cornerstone partner in the Coastal Wetlands Restoration & Resilience Initiative, a multi-year effort in Richmond, Vallejo, and the Sonoma Coast. Together, we can deliver nature‑based flood protection, create living‑wage pathways, and expand meaningful volunteer opportunities across the Bay Area coast.
2. Donor Alignment
- Climate resilience: Your foundation’s stated focus on strengthening coastal resilience aligns with our initiative to construct living shorelines, restore tidal wetlands, and install monitoring stations that reduce flood risk and buffer storm surge in San Francisco Bay and along the Sonoma Coast. Your team saw this firsthand during the Point Pinole planting day (April 2025). - Coastal communities: Mariner’s service footprint includes Bay shoreline neighborhoods. Our near-term sites in Richmond and Vallejo prioritize frontline communities where flood exposure and limited park access intersect, matching your community investment goals highlighted in your FY2024 CSR update (N/A). - Workforce development: Your focus on skills and job pathways connects directly to our paid trainee program, where local residents—especially youth and underemployed adults—earn certifications and transition into green careers with public agencies and contractors. This mirrors your 2024 emphasis on career ladders for underrepresented talent (N/A). - Corporate volunteerism: Your employees’ participation at Point Pinole (April 2025) and interest in future service days align with our structured volunteer offerings—seasonal planting, nursery support, and shoreline monitoring—designed for corporate teams and families.
3. Project Overview
What: The Coastal Wetlands Restoration & Resilience Initiative is a five-year, $15 million effort to restore and steward 200+ acres of tidal wetlands and living shorelines in San Francisco Bay (Richmond and Vallejo) and priority Sonoma Coast sites. The project integrates habitat restoration, nature-based flood defenses, workforce training, and community volunteer engagement. Core components include earthwork and regrading to reestablish tidal flows, native plant installation, eelgrass and oyster reef elements where appropriate, and continuous monitoring to track shoreline stability, water quality, and biodiversity.
Why now: Coastal communities face rising water levels, intensified storms, and habitat loss. Well‑planned nature‑based solutions implemented in the next five years can reduce flood damages, protect infrastructure, and create accessible shoreline public space. A current opportunity from the NOAA National Coastal Resilience Fund offers a 1:1 match for private gifts committed by March 31, 2026, leveraging philanthropic support to accelerate impact.
Who benefits: An estimated 35,000 residents in shoreline census tracts of Richmond and Vallejo, with specific focus on flood‑exposed neighborhoods; small shoreline businesses and community facilities; and recreational users of restored shoreline parks. The program will train at least 150 local residents over five years for restoration and coastal stewardship jobs and provide structured volunteer opportunities for 2,000+ people, including corporate teams and families.
How we deliver: PCCA leads site design and implementation with agency and community partners. We phase work to meet environmental windows, deploy local contractors, and coordinate volunteers for planting and monitoring. Our workforce program offers stipends, protective gear, safety training, and certifications (e.g., OSHA-10, chain saw/brush cutter, habitat restoration fundamentals), with job placement support into public agencies, land trusts, and restoration firms.
Equity and access: We prioritize sites adjacent to underserved neighborhoods; schedule evening/weekend volunteer shifts to accommodate workers and caregivers; provide stipends for trainees; and ensure multilingual on-site interpretation and signage.
Risks and mitigations: - Risk: Permitting or contractor delays. Mitigation: Early pre-application coordination with resource agencies; a pre-qualified contractor pool; and contingency phasing to advance plant propagation and volunteer work while earthwork is finalized. - Risk: Native plant supply constraints. Mitigation: Multi-year contracts with regional nurseries; on-site propagation; and seed banking to ensure species availability.
4. Budget & Request
Total project cost: $15,000,000 Raised to date: $9,800,000 Funding gap: $5,200,000
We invite you to consider a gift of $2,500,000 over 5 years. A standard pledge schedule is $500,000 per year (2026–2030). Because the NOAA National Coastal Resilience Fund will match eligible private gifts 1:1 up to $2,000,000 if committed by 3/31/2026, $2,000,000 of your pledge would be matched dollar‑for‑dollar—doubling the effect of your leadership gift.
Alternative gift levels: - $1,500,000 over 5 years would enable complete restoration of 50 acres at a priority site and fund community workforce training. - $4,000,000 over 5 years would enable scale to an additional 30 acres and extend monitoring from 3 to 5 years.
Illustrative per‑unit costs: - $30,000 restores one acre of tidal wetlands (earthwork, native plants, monitoring). - $7,500 funds one community trainee in habitat restoration (stipend, PPE, certifications). - $120,000 installs a tide gauge and water‑quality monitoring station.
5. Outcomes & Measurement
- Outcome: Restore acres of wetlands and living shorelines. Baseline: 2025 baseline: 120 acres restored region-wide. Target: By 2028: +80 acres restored across Richmond, Vallejo, and Sonoma Coast; by 2030: 200+ cumulative acres. Data source: GIS habitat maps; partner agency records; independent verification by Coastal Resilience Lab at San Francisco State University (SFSU). Reporting: Biannually via dashboard (acres, sites, habitat type) and narrative.
- Outcome: Reduce flood exposure for nearby households and critical assets. Baseline: 2,400 homes within 100‑year floodplain across target zones. Target: By 2028: 10% modeled reduction in annual flood damages in treated segments; water level attenuation of 10–20% during storm events at instrumented sites. Data source: NOAA and USGS monitoring; hydrodynamic modeling updates. Reporting: Biannual dashboards with maps and model summaries.
- Outcome: Create green jobs and paid training pathways. Baseline: 38 trainees completed certificates in 2025. Target: By 2028: 100 trainees placed in related jobs; 150 certified by 2030; 70% one‑year job retention. Data source: Participant database; placement and retention tracking; external evaluator validation (SFSU). Reporting: Biannual participant outcomes plus annual workforce brief.
- Outcome: Increase biodiversity indicators. Baseline: 2025 site indices vary (N/A). Target: By 2028: +20% native plant cover and +15% invertebrate richness at restored plots versus controls. Data source: Fixed‑plot monitoring; eDNA and benthic surveys. Reporting: Biannual summary; annual technical appendix.
6. Timeline & Milestones
Year 1 (2026) - Q1 2026: Finalize permits for Richmond/Vallejo segments; execute nursery and contractor agreements; install first tide gauge. - Q2 2026: Begin earthwork at Richmond site; launch Cohort A (30 trainees). - Q3 2026: Volunteer planting series (6 events; 600 volunteers); complete 20 acres of planting. - Q4 2026: Complete 40 acres restored; deploy 2 additional monitoring stations; interim performance review.
Year 2 (2027) - Q1–Q2: Earthwork and planting at Vallejo site; Cohort B (35 trainees). - Q3–Q4: Achieve cumulative 90 acres restored; publish mid‑project impact brief.
Year 3 (2028) - Q1–Q2: Sonoma Coast living shoreline pilot; Cohort C (35 trainees). - Q3–Q4: Reach 140 acres cumulative; update hydrodynamic modeling; adjust planting palettes based on performance data.
Years 4–5 (2029–2030) - Quarterly: Continue restoration to 200+ acres; extend monitoring; implement adaptive management; finalize workforce placements and alumni mentorship network; publish final evaluation and public toolkit.
7. Recognition
We would be honored to recognize your partnership in the following ways: - Naming of a living shoreline segment at a Bay site, with interpretive signage acknowledging Mariner Bank Foundation’s leadership. - Prominent recognition at restoration sites, in project media, and in PCCA’s annual report and website. - Joint thought‑leadership events and site tours highlighting climate resilience, community benefits, and green workforce pathways.
Corporate recognition is encouraged; anonymity is available at your discretion.
8. Co-Design & Engagement
We view this as a co‑created effort. Your insights would strengthen the work, and we invite your input on: - Focus site selection among candidate locations in Richmond, Vallejo, and the Sonoma Coast for Phase II priorities. - Evaluation emphasis: employment outcomes (placements and retention) versus skill gains (certifications and wage growth). - Learning agenda questions (e.g., optimizing living shoreline design for wave attenuation versus biodiversity gains).
We will convene quarterly learning sessions with your ESG team and welcome seating a Mariner representative on our Corporate Partners Council to guide volunteer engagement, workforce curriculum, and recognition planning.
9. Stewardship & Reporting
Program Director Sarah Chen will coordinate grant stewardship and reporting, with support from our monitoring lead and finance team. We will report biannually with: - A concise dashboard (acres restored, trainee progress, volunteer participation, and key ecological indicators). - A narrative update with stories from shoreline residents, trainees, and volunteers, plus financial statements. - Engagement opportunities: site visits, volunteer days, and an annual impact briefing featuring project partners and external evaluators.
10. Governance/Approvals
The Board of Directors approved the project plan and budget on September 12, 2025. PCCA maintains segregated restricted‑fund accounts, strong internal controls, and annual independent audits by Kline & Ross. Our most recent audit received an unmodified (clean) opinion. Funds will be used solely for the Coastal Wetlands Restoration & Resilience Initiative per the final grant agreement.
11. Next Steps
We would value a conversation with you by December 18, 2025 to explore this partnership, answer questions, and refine recognition and engagement details. Please contact us at lena.cho@pccalliance.org or 415-555-9021 to schedule.
Thank you for your leadership on behalf of coastal communities, climate resilience, and the green workforce of tomorrow. We look forward to the opportunity to work alongside Mariner Bank Foundation.
With appreciation,
N/A N/A Title Pacific Coastal Conservancy Alliance 415-555-9021 | lena.cho@pccalliance.org | www.pccalliance.org Mailing address: N/A
Enclosures: Project budget; site maps; letters of support; audited financials (Kline & Ross)
AI Evaluation Details (Score: 7.8/10)
The output demonstrates strong structural adherence to the template and includes all required sections with appropriate detail. However, it contains multiple placeholder errors (N/A fields, missing signature block details, incorrect date) that would require significant cleanup before use. The writing is competent but occasionally stiff, and some sections feel formulaic rather than genuinely personalized.
- • Excellent structural compliance—all 11 sections present with correct headings and appropriate length
- • Strong integration of scenario-specific details (Point Pinole event, NOAA match, specific geography)
- • Effective use of concrete numbers and metrics throughout (35,000 residents, 150 trainees, specific per-unit costs)
- • Well-constructed outcomes section with clear baseline/target/data source format
- • Good balance of technical detail and accessibility—avoids jargon while maintaining credibility
- • Thoughtful co-design section that genuinely invites donor input on substantive decisions
- • Appropriate formal tone that remains warm and partnership-oriented
- • Critical date error: cover letter dated November 2, 2025 but scenario shows November 22, 2025; creates confusion about proposal timing
- • Multiple N/A placeholders remain in donor address block, signature section, and citations (e.g., 'FY2024 CSR update (N/A)'), making document unusable without editing
- • Signature block incomplete—shows 'N/A Title' instead of 'Dr. Lena Cho, President & CEO' from the scenario data
- • Some donor alignment bullets reference events with '(N/A)' citations that weaken credibility—should either use real dates or omit the parenthetical
- • Baseline biodiversity data marked '(N/A)' in outcomes section undermines measurement credibility; should generate plausible example per prompt instructions
- • Occasional stiffness in phrasing (e.g., 'We respectfully submit the enclosed request') feels more corporate than nonprofit
- • The anecdote integration, while present, feels somewhat mechanical—appears twice in similar form rather than woven naturally throughout
- • Missing logo placement instruction reminder in final signature block
Test Summary: Generated Nov 2, 2025 • 3 scenarios • 9 total outputs • Average quality score: 8.18/10 • Total validation cost: $0.4697