This section provides some very clear statements about what grant giving organisations usually look for in a successful application.They may not all be relevant for every application but reading them will clarify your thinking when applying.
Have you read the requirements of the funding organisation carefully?
Does it...
- have guidelines about what kinds of organisations can apply?
- say anything about the length of the application required?
- say anything about the content of the application?
- ask for any specific financial information?
- say anything about when applications should be submitted by?
- have geographic criteria
- have limits on the size of grants they make?
- have limits on the kind of grants they make (e.g. capital only)?
- have clear preferences for certain types of beneficiary?
- have clear preferences for certain types of work?
- have specific monitoring requirements?
- ask for any documents to be attached?
- require match funding?
- ask what you'll do when their grant finishes?
- show a particular interest in innovative approaches to issues?
- specify who you should address you application to?
Who are you?
- tell them what the name of your organisation is?
- when your organisation was established?
- what you were established to do?
- what geographical area you work in?
- who can be members of your organisations?
- how many members you currently have?
- how many staff you have?
- how many volunteers you have?
- what legal structures you have?
- give details of the composition of your management committee/Board?
- say how you are currently funded?
- say what you currently do?
- explain how people benefit from your activities?
- explain how you involve users?
- say something about other agencies you work with?
What does your project involve?
- State clearly and concisely the nature of your project
- Why is there a need for your project?
- Support this with facts and figures
- Which people will benefit?
- Does your project contribute to wider social issues; inclusion; community safety; health; lifelong learning etc.
- Does the funder fully understand the relevance of the project in your area ie. are there any local circumstances which make it particularly important?
- Is there any urgency in terms of timescales that the funder needs to know about?
How have you worked out the budget?
- Show you have a budget for the work you want funding for
- Explain how you've worked out the costings
- Be explicit about the value for money your project represents
- Explain how your organisation is currently funded
- Demonstrate that you have appropriate financial systems to handle the grant
- Discuss the financial health of your organisation
- Mention your reserves and explain away if necessary
- Say whether you are going to put any money of your own in
- Mention other funders that you are applying to
- Explicitly demonstrate you can cope with the funder's payment arrangements
How will your project be managed?
Tell them how you intend to deliver your project:
During the initial stages
- Tendering / procurement
- Recruitment
- Employment
- Training
- Monitoring / evaluation
- Marketing and promotion
Over a long period
- Management of facilities (if applicable)
- Long term funding
- Project development
- Project improvement
Have you considered the following and are you ready to apply?
- Look at your application from a funder's point of view?(you do!)
- Demonstrate how your work fits in with other initiatives?
- Explain why your group in particular should tackle the issue?
- Explain how you will know that you've made a difference?
- Demonstrate that you have a real commitment to equal opportunities?
- Demonstrate that your work will have an impact on policy issues?
- Emphasise how your past experience will equip you to do the work well?
- Show that you can handle the money?
- Show that your organisation has the management capacity to do the work?
- Show that your organisation has the staff/volunteer capacity to do the work?
- Show that you have a plan for monitoring and evaluating the work?
