PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND FUNDING Steven Lugg

1. Identify What You Need Have the community expressed concerns or complaints? Have you identified a group ‘missing out’ on provision? Is this a job for an existing group, or best suited to a new one? Everyone unified and clear on direction? Location? Is it really needed, and can you explain it?

2. Build your evidence base Govt and LA Statistics and Strategies Consult your community, use appropriate means, you have to go to them, use appropriate methods ALL FUNDING BODIES WILL EXPECT THIS Evidence base should be central to your bid Help available for consultation – consider? Some issues – Health and well-being, anti-social behaviour, intergenerational, community cohesion, regeneration

3. Prepare Your Solution Bid Be clear about your target group(s) Focus on the outcomes you want to achieve, rather than be fixed about the outputs – there are always different paths to the same destination Partnership and collaboration are always better than solo bids Don’t be precious about who leads the project Think long-term. Have you planned sustainability?

4. Consider Feedback Make sure what you think is the solution, is wanted! Be clear on how to express your outcomes, be flexible on outputs Gain public support before bidding Make sure stakeholders are clear about your Vision

5. Finding Your Funding! Each funder has their own aims, criteria and funding conditions Always call them for full information Look at the full range – don’t restrict yourself Be selective in your bids – use your time wisely Sources include Trusts, Lottery, LA, Individuals, Landfill Fund etc

6. Apply! Avoid assumptions Use your evidence Tell a story Link to Outcomes and Outputs Use local statistics Success sells Be innovative and creative - And don’t expect success immediately

7. Publicise Success Try and involve the community Remember to involve all those you have worked with Use the Internet, Facebook, Twitter, Blog etc Local Media Local ‘faces’, MP etc Use contacts at local schools if appropriate Take lots of photos

8. Evaluation Should be appropriate Capture feelings, thoughts, perception of changes As well as numbers Plan it into the project Feedback to all Build relationships Possibility of repeat funding

Overview of What Success Looks Like! Steven Lugg

What are Grants? Source of funding No interest, non returnable (compliance) Myriad of sources Research Understand your Need Usually apply through application form

Funders Looking For.... Four criteria normally: Location Type of organisation Size Project purpose Match funding? Consider funder’s objectives

Application – demonstrate your competence! Reputable and efficiently run Clear and specific vision, how, benefits & differences the project will make, target group Strong management group Finances in order, governance Business plan? Good understanding of project and purpose Appropriate policies

Successful applications Demonstrate the need Show good planning Well costed Evidence of sound management Illustrate the difference that will be made

Why were you unsuccessful? Not explicit, concise or clear Poorly planned, not clear how money will be spent Funder’s guidelines not respected, fail to meet criteria Not well managed, monitoring and evaluation

Top Tips 1 Get informed, find out what local support is available Don’t start your project until you’ve successfully applied! Need – funder’s objectives match your proposals? Talk to body before applying

Top Tips 2 Project/business plan Imagination and lateral thinking required Match funding Demonstrate that your project cannot proceed without support Get it checked over – be critical Would you give your money to this request?

Funder’s Objectives Match funding? See it from the funder’s perspective Get it checked by somebody else before you send it off