Business Plan Template

nutritionincentivehub.org

[GusNIP Project Proposal Title]

From the RFA: The Business Plan should provide evidence, such as a market analysis or the

outline of a management business plan, to demonstrate how sustainability of the project will be

achieved. Business plan outlines or any other documentation of evidence for sustainability

should be no more than five pages.

Notes to applicants: The Business Plan is distinct from the Sustainability section of the project

narrative.

The Sustainability section is a required portion of the Project Narrative for Standard (FIP) and

Large Scale (FLSP) Nutrition Incentive project proposals, and it describes which components of

the project will continue beyond the end of the project period.

The Business Plan is a document of up to five pages describing longer-term evidence of the

ongoing sustainability of the proposed project. The Business Plan dives into financial

sustainability of project support – which could be the primary applicant/organization, a partner

organization, or other entity(ies). It should demonstrate the vision for financial stability by

documenting plans for the long-term sustainability and potential for ongoing impact of

the applicant organization, project partnership, or proposed GusNIP project. The

strongest plans will not describe a long-term reliance on future infusions of GusNIP grant

funding. Some approaches to make a project self-sustaining might be to generate program or

business income, create an endowment, connect with consistent state or private funding, or

integrate the project into the organization’s and/or partners’ annual operating budget(s).

The following is a suggested outline that may be used to complete the Business Plan.

Executive Summary

Provide a 1-3 paragraph overview of the applicant organization’s mission, programs, capacity,

and what it sees as its unique position in its region. What need(s) does the organization exist to

serve, how does it serve them, and how does the proposed GusNIP project fit into that service

map?

Organization History and Assets

nutritionincentivehub.org

Provide a brief history of the applicant organization, such as when and how it was founded and

to achieve what aim(s). Describe any significant growth or expansion of the organization since

its founding and include any uniquely compelling assets that the organization or partnership

brings to the project.

Programs: Operations, Funding Strategies, and Key Implementation

Partners

Provide an overview of the applicant organization’s programs, including a description of the

organizational operations of programs, funding strategies used to support the organization’s

programs, and key partners who support program implementation. Describe the organization’s

track-record in successfully launching and sustaining programs and some of the key strategies

used to do so.

Proposed GusNIP Project Summary

Provide a brief overview description of the proposed project, for example: “[Proposed GusNIP

Project] is …and will…”. Describe how this proposed project fits into the organization’s

programming, and why the applicant organization is well-positioned to operate this project now

and into the future.

Market Analysis

Provide evidence of demand for this project. If not fully described in the project narrative,

describe and document the existing and potential community capacity to implement this project,

the market demand (i.e., current/potential need and participants), and the potential to impact

these demands. This analysis should provide a description of the need for the proposed GusNIP

project in the areas it aims to serve by providing data or analysis describing the market (current

and future) for the proposed project. Reference any relevant feasibility studies.

Organizational and Programmatic Funding Strategy

This section should address the financial stability and sustainability of the applicant

organization, partner organization(s) overall, and the specific program area(s) within which the

proposed project will be implemented. This section should answer the question “How is the

organization and/or partnership ensuring financial sustainability for the organization and

project?”

• What is the outlook for funding and how will it secure this funding? Describe current and

expected sources (philanthropic, private, state, federal, etc.) and the outlook for

diversifying or growing the pool of funders, for example:

o Connections to state, tribal, or regional funding including participation in state or

regional advocacy groups influencing the policy/funding landscape

nutritionincentivehub.org

o Connections to Medicaid/Medicare innovation initiatives, healthcare plan and

funder initiatives, healthcare partners’ business office, or other potential future

revenue streams

• Describe any role the Board of Directors or other committees will play in

sustainability planning

• Describe any planned operational efficiencies, program growth, and other relevant

organizational capacity changes

Organization and Management Team

Provide an overview of organizational staffing structure – number of full- and part-time staff,

average length of tenure at organization, and breadth/depth of expertise. Describe the key staff

who are responsible for oversight of the applicant organization’s financial planning and

sustainability, and the proposed project. Describe the Board of Directors and their involvement

in ensuring the long-term stability of the applicant organization.

Dissemination and Engagement (Marketing Plan)

Describe who (specific or types of entities) the applicant organization will engage during the

proposed project to share program goals, progress, and impacts with aims towards

sustainability and potential growth. What engaged stakeholders or leaders may be invested in

program sustainability? What are some of the key steps that will be taken to promote the

project’s story to potential funders and partners?

Financial Plans

• Share summary of past years’ revenue/expense/assets/liabilities, plus this year’s

pending budget

• Describe who is responsible for managing the federal and non-federal resources

• Discuss expectations for any increased efficiencies throughout the grant

The Nutrition Incentive Program Training, Technical Assistance, Evaluation, and Information Center

(NTAE) is supported by Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program grant no. 2019-70030-

30415/project accession no. 1020863 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.