Write a Compelling Need Section - The Reasons

You described the context of your geographic area. You then identified what your target population is experiencing with data by describing the Condition or Status of the Community and Population Served. Now you have to ask, “Why are they experiencing that problem?” You need to explain the Reasons Behind the Condition or Status.

For example, why is unemployment high? Why are youth dropping out of school before they graduate? Why are individuals unhoused? Why are youth absent from school? Why are people in poor health? 

There could be many reasons why the condition or status exists. There is likely more than one root cause of the problem you are addressing. Whatever the root causes, you need to make sure that you know what they are so you can develop an approach that is going to effectively address it.

Finding out why the problem exists is a critical piece of your project planning. It’s why those that you serve should be part of your project design—so you can find...