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1. ESSAY #3 BUSINESS
PROPOSAL

2. THERE ARE SEVERAL PARTS
Cover/Title Page
Letter/Memo of Transmittal
Table of Contents with List of Illustrations
(optional)
Executive Summary
Introduction
Discussion Sections
Conclusion

3. COVER/TITLE PAGE
Title: Proposal for Town of _____ (fill in the
blank) Small Business Grant
Come up with a name for your company
Come up with a company logo
“Prepared for ______” (Town Board of ____
(name of town).
T IP :
Spacing, Fonts, Logo, and Layout are Important

4. LETTER/MEMO OF TRANSMITTAL
Use the company logo in your heading
Write to a specific person on the town board -
- find out the name and address of the town
supervisor or mayor

5. LETTER/MEMO OF TRANSMITTAL
T IPS :
 Proper Business Letter Format is Important.
 Do not put in too much detail at this point but do
include enough to create a positive first impression.
250 words, maximum.
 Refer to the small business grant and your
application—you are submitting a proposal to receive
a grant of $150,000.

6. TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Follow the basic outline provided in the textbook
and on Blackboard.
 Your subheading under Features and Benefits will
differ from the subheadings in the sample proposal
in the textbook - - think carefully about your
subheading titles

7. SUGGESTED SUBHEADINGS IN TOC
Overview of Business
Location of Business
Immediate Benefits
Long-Term Benefits
Potential Concerns
Competitors
Initial Plans for Grant Money

8. TABLE OF CONTENTS
T IPS :
The wording of the headings in the TOC should
match that of the ones you actually use within
the proposal text.
Page references should be correct.

9. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 Present a concise overview of your proposal’s most
important points. DO NOT merely repeat yourself.
 Make a brief mention of the town’s need for your
business/service and how your business/service will
meet that need.
T IPS :
 Your first sentences should engage your reader’s
attention.
 Focus on only 2-3 “selling points” - - do not go into
too much detail.
 Limit yourself to 250 words.
 Write the summary after you have finished the entire
proposal.

10. INTRODUCTION
 State the purpose of your proposal: You are seeking
a $150,000 small business grant from the town
 Provide an overview of the town: Why does it need
your business? What is going on now? What do
residents do now, without your business/service?
 Provide an overview of the current
economic/demographic context: Who is living in your
town in 2012? What needs do they have at present?
(Do some research about this.)
 Describe how your business/service will meet their
needs.
 Include mention of your expertise .

11. INTRODUCTION
T IPS :
There are various sites that provide
demographic information including real estate
sites. However, start with the US Census site:
http://www.census.gov/#
If you use outside information at this point,
remember to cite it.

12. DISCUSSION SECTIONS
SUGGESTED SUBHEADINGS
Provide supporting information in this section;
this is the longest part of your proposal.
S UBHEADINGS :
Overview of ________ (Use the name of your
business/service); provide a detailed
description of your business/service and your
target customer base.
Proposed Location of _____ (Describe—include
a map—the location of the business,
explaining why it is suitable.) (The map will be
an outside source.)

13. DISCUSSION SECTIONS:
SUGGESTED SUBHEADINGS
Competition: Identify regional competitors.
How will your business/service stand out from
that of competitors?
Immediate Benefits to _____ (name of town);
explain the immediate (within the first 12
months let’s say) benefits that your
business/service will bring to the town.
Long-Term Benefits to _____ (Discuss the long-
term benefits)

14. DISCUSSION SECTIONS:
SUGGESTED SUBHEADINGS
Possible Objections: This will depend upon
what type of business you are starting. If you
can honestly not think of any, then leave this
section out.
Initial Use of Grant Money
T IPS :
Readability is important. Do use subheadings
and format properly using bold lettering. Make
sure you use the same subheading that appear
in your Table of Contents (TOC).

15. CONCLUSION
Summarize your main points briefly, stressing
the benefits to the town.
Look to the future. What are your next steps
going to be assuming that you get the money?
Reassure your reader that you are around and
are willing to answer follow -up questions.