I am looking for information on writing a professional funding
proposal for a new business idea.

zrike1,

Thanks for the question! I found some great resources for you:

1) 2 great guides on writing funding proposals.
2) 2 sites with examples and samples.
3) 3 link pages with a ton more Internet Resources for your topic.
4) 3 links about Angel Investors, & contact information.


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GUIDES
=======

Writing a Funding Proposal
http://www.civicus.org/new/media/Writing%20a%20funding%20proposal.pdf#search=%22Writing%20a%20Funding%20Proposal%20%22
This is an excellent guide that really brings home the psychology
behind funding proposals.

GUIDE FOR WRITING A FUNDING PROPOSAL 
http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/
Excellent example of a short yet detailed proposal. 


=========
EXAMPLES
=========

EXAMPLE: FUNDING PROPOSAL FOR HEARIT AUDITORY TOOLS
http://www.hearitllc.com/grant.pdf
Ignore the details, this is a very simple (and short) format. Plug in
your information and work on the persuasion, hone the words, and
expand later, you can do this one in an afternoon, and flesh it out
later. This is short and do-able and will give your project the
beginning of a written "business plan."

More Sample Proposals:
http://www.npguides.org/guide/sample_proposals.htm


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INTERNET RESOURCES
===================

PROPOSAL WRITING: INTERNET RESOURCES
http://grants.library.wisc.edu/organizations/proposalwebsites.html

Links to Other Proposal Writing Resources
http://www.learnerassociates.net/proposal/links.htm

Foundation Center, Books, Online Guides, and Tutorials in Proposal
Writing (not all free, but worth a look)
http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/learnabout/proposalwriting.html


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EXTRA 
======

You might also consider Angel Investors, --miracles DO happen. My best
advice is to "Think Big" --and the money will follow.  And ALL
projects need money.

Giving ideas wings (great article)
http://www.economist.com/business/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7905466
..."For all its obscurity, the market they operate in is huge. Mr Sohl
estimates there are up to 350,000 business angels in America who
invest around $30 billion a year in some 50,000 ventures, an average
of $600,000 per investment. In contrast, venture-capital funds in
America invest on average $6m in each venture, according to
PricewaterhouseCoopers..."

Looking for an Angel Investor? 
http://angel-investor-guide.com/?gclid=CMuiv7y0yIcCFSZpGAodq0v8FA

Angel Investor Directory
http://www.inc.com/articles/2001/09/23461.html

===========================


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Everything you need is above, --and between your ears. Good luck with
your project!  Be sure to come back, now that you know we're here, I'd
be happy to assist you again. We answer virtually anything you can
think of. Check it out.


~~Cynthia-ga


Search terms:
various combinations: "Funding Proposal" guide or "how to" example OR sample 
"Angel Investors" idea
"Angel Investors" directory

Your answer was much more detailed than what I was expecting.  I
always thought Google researchers were just good at using search
engines, but all of your answers go to the next level.  I can tell
that YOU actually thought about the answer to this question and used
your expertise to find things I never would have known existed.
I really appreciate all of your help!

zrike1, Thanks SO MUCH for the kind words, the 5 stars, and the
generous tip! Hope to hear from you again..