Sample Proposal and Sample Budget

Sample Proposal

PTA Healthy Lifestyles proposals must be 1,500 characters or less (about 250 words) and describe activities planned for the November 2009 observance. Judges will be looking for programs that:

Promote healthy lifestyles in the home, school, and community;
Celebrate PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, November 2009, and have a long-term impact;
Promote family involvement in the school;
Emphasize the connection between healthy lifestyles and student achievement; and
Engage a diverse group of family and community members.

In your proposal, please talk about what success would look like, and describe what long-term impact your activities will have on your community. Proposals that are specific, concise, and unique are more likely to catch the judges’ attention.

Here is one example of what a proposal might look like:

On November 17, Schoolhouse PTA will host a taste-testing bar as part of a schoolwide meeting. We will work with the school food service provider and seek donations from local farmers and area grocery stores to provide a wide variety of healthy foods. We will also reach out to community organizations such as 4-H, YMCA, and the local chapter of the American Cancer Society to find a relevant speaker. All families, as well as the principal, school board, teachers, and local press, will be invited to attend. Child care will be provided through a standing arrangement with our school’s after-school programs.

Attendees—both adults and children—will be asked to try at least one new food at the taste-testing bar. They will then vote for “Most Unusual,” “Most Surprising,” “Favorite,” etc. The winning foods will be published in an article for our PTA newsletter, also to be sent to local press.

We hope to make this an annual event for Schoolhouse PTA. Our school food service staff has come to us with concerns about a large number of picky eaters, and our hope is that this fun way of introducing students—and whole families—to new types of healthy foods will help remedy the problem.

For us, a successful event would mean:

At least 50 families attending.
The creation of one new partnership.
Feedback from the school food service staff that indicates students are more willing to try different foods at lunchtime.

Sample Budget

PTA is offering Healthy Lifestyles Awards of up to $1,000 to help support proposed activities. In 600 charaters or less, applicants must specify the amount they are requesting and clearly indicate how that money would be spent.

Here are a few examples of ways to present your budget:

Sample A

We are requesting $400: $75 will be spent on utensils and paper goods; $300 will be used to purchase food, supplementing the donations we expect to receive; and the remaining $25 will be used to print fliers to send home to families.

Sample B

We will be purchasing 500 participation certificates, at a cost of $1 each. Therefore, we are requesting $500.

Sample C

We are requesting $1,000. We will spend $250 on refreshments, $250 on promotional materials, and $500 to rent the space where the event will be held.

Sample D

Budget:
Invitations - $50

Poster printing costs - $75

Paper plates, napkins, utensils - $50

Water and fruit juice - $150

Prizes - $275

Total - $600