This section is the funder's way of asking, “If we can't fund you at the level you want us to, how would you like us to help you with a lesser amount?” There are several ways to handle this, as shown in the following examples.

In this sample, the organization is steadfast in its request for funding at the level requested and offers only an alternative in the length of the grant period. Note that the writer emphasizes that a level of funding is necessary to meet the outcomes of the project and that any less would mean that those outcomes would not be accomplished as promised in the proposal:

The project proposed would require an XYZ Foundation grant of $600,000 — $143,000 to complete the year-one outcome objectives; $253,000 to achieve the year-two outcome objectives; and $204,000 in the final year — to complete the project as described. An alternative would be to structure a five-year plan which would allow smaller per-year investments toward a slightly slower developmental process.

In the following sample response, the writer is saying, in effect, that whatever funding is available will be welcome and that the agency would appreciate the assistance of this funder in helping it get funding from other community sources.

Whether or not funding is available at the level requested, the coalition hopes that the foundation staff will consider assisting us in building a partnership of funders to share the three-year financial commitment necessary to achieve the stated objectives.

This final sample offers the grantor some choices.

If the XYZ Foundation is unable to grant the full three-year request, ABC Nonprofit offers two alternatives: the first two years' funding at $60,400 and $42,280 respectively for a total grant of $102,680, or the executive-director salary only, in decreasing amounts as follows: $45,000 in year one, $31,500 in year two, and $22,050 in year three for a total grant of $98,550.