Write this once, and you'll rarely have to write it again! No matter who the funder or what its priorities, the history of your organization is not going to change much and neither is the “slant” you put on the story. Be sure to put in highlights of the organization, as you'll note in the following example.

The City County Art Association was founded in 1910 by a City Federation of Women's Clubs, which recommended the establishment of an art collection as a basis for a future art museum. In 1911, an initial collection was assembled, and in 1924, the association occupied a Greek Revival residence, which was eventually renamed the City Art Museum (CAM). In 1981, the museum moved to its present site, a Beaux Arts-style Federal Building listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located in the city's downtown center.

CAM's core collection now consists of more than 6,000 works of art from all cultures and periods, with special strengths in European art from Renaissance to nineteenth century, nineteenth-and twentieth-century regional and American art, and works on paper including prints, drawings, watercolors, and photographs. The museum has always placed the highest importance on its public-education programs and continues to expand and diversify its classes, lectures, and events through collaborations and creative partnerships with other city institutions. The city's public sculpture program is supported by the museum's collection, which includes maquettes, drawings, and prints by major sculptors.

Use the history of the organization as a place to record changes in mission, growth of services, and other interesting and relevant facts. In some ways, the history can be used to justify the project, especially when you can cite continued growth or demand.