Sample Proposal Needs Section (Excerpt): Without Data Visualization
Description of Need
State X consistently ranks among the leaders in the nation in number of refugees resettled per year. In FY15, State Xwelcomed 4,175 refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Special Immigrant Visa holders, and victims of human trafficking, making it the fifth largest state for resettlement in that period.[1] This is a significant increase over the resettlement volume of 2014 (3,856 individuals) and 2013 (3,600 individuals) and represents a trend that is expected to continue in 2016.[2] If statewide arrivals increase at the same rate as from 2014 to FY15 (about 108%), State Xcan expect to welcome about 4,520 new refugees and other humanitarian immigrants in 2016. The population of refugees and other groups resettled in State Xin FY15 is diverse, with 41 nationalities represented and the largest groups arriving from Iraq (787 individuals), DRC (663), Somalia (628), Cuba (622), and Burma (468).[3]
While there are a number of demographic factors that can impact the economic self-sufficiency of refugees, education-related factors are among the most significant and affect the largest percentage of the population.[4] English proficiency, educational attainment and professional skills and experience directly impact the likelihood of obtaining employment and earning higher wages. When compared to the national averages[5] for recent refugee arrivals, those resettled by Organization Y have considerably lower English proficiency and education attainment. Data indicate that the majority (79%) of those resettled in FY15 had no proficiency in English,[6] compared with 50.2% nationally.[7]Data also show that the majority (60%) arrived with an education level below secondary school, as compared to a national average of 50.5%.[8] Lack of English proficiency, not only a barrier to securing a well-paying job, makes navigating complex asset purchases difficult if not impossible for many refugees. These data suggest that refugees arriving in State X are less likely than the national average to secure a job with wages high enough to move beyond subsistence and invest in an asset.
Wage data from ORR’s most recent annual report to Congress (FY14) support this conclusion. Refugees recently resettled in City A had an average wage of $8.50,[9] the second lowest wage in the country and only $0.45 more than the state minimum wage at the time.[10] At full employment (40 hours per week), this equates to an annual income of just $17,680, or 148% of the 2016 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for an individual.[11] This indicates that the average refugee in City Z earns well below the maximum 200% FPL requirement for the ORR IDA Program, demonstrating considerable need for the program.
Sample Proposal Needs Section (Excerpt): With Data Visualization
Description of Need
State X consistently ranks among the leaders in the nation in number of refugees resettled per year. In FY15, State Xwelcomed 4,175 refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Special Immigrant Visa holders, and victims of human trafficking, making it the fifth largest state for resettlement in that period.[12] This is a significant increase over past resettlement volumes.[13] If statewide arrivals increase at the same rate as from 2014 to FY15 (about 108%), State Xcan expect to welcome about 4,520 new refugees and other humanitarian immigrants in 2016. The population of refugees and others resettled in State Xin FY15 is diverse, with 41 nationalities represented.[14]
While there are a number of demographic factors that can impact the economic self-sufficiency of refugees, education-related factors are among the most significant and affect the largest percentage of the population.[15] English proficiency, educational attainment and professional skills and experience directly impact the likelihood of obtaining employment and earning higher wages. When compared to the national averages[16] for recent refugee arrivals, those resettled by Organization Y have considerably lower English proficiency and education attainment. Data indicate that the majority (79%) of those resettled in FY15 had no proficiency in English,[17] compared with 50.2% nationally.[18]Data also show that the majority (60%) arrived with an education level below secondary school, as compared to a national average of 50.5%.[19] Lack of English proficiency, not only a barrier to securing a well-paying job, makes navigating complex asset purchases difficult if not impossible for many refugees. These data suggest that refugees arriving in State X are less likely than the national average to secure a job with wages high enough to move beyond subsistence and invest in an asset.
Wage data from ORR’s most recent annual report to Congress (FY14) support this conclusion. Refugees recently resettled in City A had an average wage of $8.50,[20] the second lowest wage in the country and only $0.45 more than the state minimum wage at the time.[21] At full employment (40 hours per week), this equates to an annual income of just $17,680, or 148% of the 2016 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for an individual.[22] This indicates that the average refugee in City Z earns well below the maximum 200% FPL requirement for the ORR IDA Program, demonstrating considerable need for the program.
[1]Citation X.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5]Office of Refugee Resettlement, Annual Report to Congress FY14, 3/18/2016, Accessed 4/28/2016,
[6]Citation Y.
[7] Office of Refugee Resettlement, Annual Report to Congress FY14.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid.
[10]Citation A.
[11] Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Poverty Guidelines. 1/25/2016. Accessed 6/1/2016.
[12]Citation X.
[13] Ibid.
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16]Office of Refugee Resettlement, Annual Report to Congress FY14, 3/18/2016, Accessed 4/28/2016,
[17]Citation Y.
[18] Office of Refugee Resettlement, Annual Report to Congress FY14.
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.
[21]Citation A.
[22] Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Poverty Guidelines. 1/25/2016. Accessed 6/1/2016.