Skip to Main Content

MUZC01H3 Exploring Community Music

A guide aggregating resources you will need to successfully complete your assignments for VPMC01H3

Goals and Objectives - S.M.A.R.T

How to Write Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes for Grant Proposals

GOAL: a broad statement of what you wish to accomplish. Goals are broad, general, intangible, and abstract.

A goal is really about the final impact or outcome that you wish to bring about – This is what you actually want to accomplish with your grant fund.

In the case of goals for a grant proposal, make sure they are linked back to your need statement - the need associated with your program. 

Use words such as decrease, deliver, develop, establish, improve, increase, produce, and provide when you develop your goals. 

Goal Example: Increase the number of elementary school students that have access to extracurricular music programming in the Regent Park.

OBJECTIVE: is a step toward accomplishing a goal. In contrast to the goal, an objective is narrow, precise, tangible, concrete, and can be measured.

Example of Objective: By the end of year one, we will provide 120 hrs of musical programming, free of charge, to students, aged 8-15, living in the Regent Park neighborhood.

Think of Goals as the purpose that will result from the project.

Think of Objectives as the determined steps/actions that will help you to complete the project goals.

OUTCOME: The outcome is the measurement or evaluation of an activity's result - it is what you hope to achieve when you accomplish a goal. 

Example of Outcome: By the end of to December 2021, 2000 students, ages 8-15 living in Regent Park, will have access to extracurricular music programming.

S.M.A.R.T Method

Use the S.M.A.R.T. method of writing your objectives. 

  • Specific – target a specific area for improvement.
  • Measurable – quantify or at least suggest an indicator of progress.
  • Assignable – specify who will do it.
  • Realistic – state what results can realistically be achieved, given available resources.
  • Time-related – specify when the result(s) can be achieved.

When you are writing your objectives, please: 

  • State your objectives in quantifiable terms.
  • State your objectives in terms of outcomes - what will you accomplish?
  • Objectives should specify the result of an activity
  • Objectives should identify the target audience or community being served.
  • Objectives need to be realistic and capable of being accomplished within the grant period.

Tips for writing good goals and objectives:

  • Tie your goals and objectives directly to your need statement.
  • Include all relevant groups and individuals in your target population – think about how the objective helps your target population.
  • Always allow plenty of time to accomplish the objectives.
  • Think about assessment and measurement - how you will measure whether you are meeting your objectives and goals – most objectives are measurable (this is also part of your next assignment)

Adapted from: "How to write Goals and Objectives for Grant Proposals," by United Mid Coast Charities