Writing Proposals for HIV/AIDS Prevention Grants - U.S. Conference ...

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6 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTS March 2003Using Statistics toDemonstrate HIV Risk• Make sure that any statistics you cite are up-todateand accurate; the persuasiveness of yourargument will be weakened if you don’t botherto check your facts or use outdated statistics.• Whenever possible, use local–rather than stateor national–data to illustrate your point, even ifthey are limited or anecdotal (based on yourexperience). Using local data will assure reviewersthat your organization knows what’s goingon with the target population in the targetcommunity.• Don’t include information that doesn’t directlyrelate to the point you’re trying to make just tofill up space; it will only take away from youroverall argument.• Avoid repeating a long list of statistics that youhave copied from elsewhere without interpretingthem; help the reader understand what thesestatistics mean and how they relate to the reallifeproblems of people in your community.• Always provide references and dates of publicationfor the data that you cite so that reviewers canknow what the source of that data is and howcurrent the data are.Demonstrating HIVRisk When Limited DataExist on Your TargetPopulationNot all populations have a current or likely HIVproblem. Even populations with serious social and economicproblems may not be at great risk for HIV. Youmust make an honest assessment of whether or not anHIV prevention intervention is needed for a particularpopulation before you can make a persuasive case tofunders. Still, there may be times when you believe aspecific population is at risk for HIV, even though thisrisk may not be fully reflected, or reflected at all, in officialHIV/AIDS surveillance data. For example:• Persistent under-reporting and misclassification have madeit impossible to know the true extent of HIV/AIDSamong Native Americans and Asians/Pacific Islanders.• The HIV/AIDS status of homeless persons or migrantworkers is very hard to determine because of the mobileand sometimes “hidden” nature of these populations.• Frequently HIV/AIDS cases among male-to-femaletransgendered people are not reported separately butare included with MSM cases, even though their riskfactors are specialized and transgenders may be atmuch higher risk than MSM in general.• Women who seem to be low-risk may be at riskbecause of unacknowledged risk behaviors amongtheir male partners such as injection drug use orsame-sex contact.In instances like these, there are various strategiesyou can use to demonstrate convincingly that there is areal problem in your target population.a) Use surrogate data. If primary surveillance data(reported cases of HIV and AIDS) on your targetpopulation is lacking, look for other official data thatcan demonstrate a potential risk for HIV. For example,some Native Americans may not appear to belong toThe United States Conference of Mayors • 1620 Eye Street,NW • Washington, DC 20006 • (202) 293-7330www.usmayors.org/uscm
March 2003 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTS 7obvious HIV risk groups but may still engage inbehavior that may put them at risk for HIV. To showthis, you can cite local alcohol and non-injectiondrug use statistics, rates of sexually transmitted diseasesand unwanted pregnancies, and socioeconomic datapointing to poverty and general social vulnerability.b) Collect your own data. If your organization’s resourcespermit, consider collecting your own data to demonstraterisk in the target population. You can collect data onspecific risk behaviors in your target population byadministering a survey to a small segment of thepopulation, conducting focus groups with membersof that population, or holding key informant interviewswith community representatives and leaders whohave first-hand knowledge of the target populationand its risk behaviors.c) Report your organization’s own data. Most serviceorganizations collect some kind of statistics on theirclients such as basic demographic, socioeconomic,and behavioral data (e.g., whether a client reportshaving injected drugs in the last 30 days or havingexchanged sex for drugs in the last 30 days) collectedduring initial intake interviews. This in-house informationis often overlooked by applicants, even though itcan provide a rich source of information on anorganization’s client base.d) Report anecdotal data. Often service providers becomeaware of a developing HIV problem before that problemis reflected in local health department statistics. Forexample, outreach workers from your organizationmay report having witnessed high-risk behaviors amongcertain groups of people who are not currently beingserved. Don’t be afraid to use this information becauseit’s not “official” (i.e., from a government source).e) Cite evidence from published and unpublished studies.If you come across a study detailing HIV risk in apopulation similar to the one you want to target, youmay want to cite that study and its general findings.However, don’t rely on this information too much tomake your case.What Funders Look forin the Problem Statement• A proposed program that addresses a real andcompelling need. Funders want to feel goodabout the selections they make; in general, theylike programs that they think will make a difference.First, make sure your program targets apopulation that is demonstrably at high risk forHIV and is not already being served, or adequatelyserved, by other organizations. Next, tell yourstory in a way that brings the problem to lifeand grabs the interest of the reviewer.• A clearly defined target population. Be as specificas possible when defining your target population.If your definition is too broad, reviewers maythink your organization lacks a clear understandingof the risk behaviors and needs of the targetpopulation and the segment of that populationthat it can reasonably expect to reach.• Solid evidence that supports your claims about thenature and extent of the problem your proposaladdresses. Start by providing a clear and specificdescription of the problem your proposal hopesto address. Back up these claims with facts thatare related directly to the situation you describe,that are current, and that are, above all, local.• A clear match between the problem the proposaladdresses and the funder’s priorities. Take thetime to figure out what your funder’s prioritiesare before you write the proposal. Most fundersclearly state their priorities in the body of theirfunding announcement or in general informationthey provide to potential applicants.The United States Conference of Mayors • 1620 Eye Street,NW • Washington, DC 20006 • (202) 293-7330www.usmayors.org/uscm
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