Big Lottery Fund Improving your chances of success Sarah Carroll Funding Officer (Local) 16 July 2014

Awards for All Grants of £300 - £10,000 (no more than £10,000 in any 12 month period) 12 months to spend grant Open to community and voluntary groups, schools, health bodies and parish / town councils New activity and projects - Not for running costs Repeat and regular activities (if income less than £30,000 in last financial year) Apply 4-5 months before project starts

What the money could be spent on... Research / feasibility studies Equipment hire or purchase building and refurbishment work (costing less than £25,000) transport costs updating equipment and premises for health and safety reasons Training and sessional workers volunteer expenses venue hire

What we cannot pay for... Fundraising activities Money already spent or activities that happen or start before we pay the grant Activities which the Government has a legal obligation to provide Staff salaries and other day to day running costs incl. routine repairs and maintenance Used vehicles Activities which promote politics or religion

Reaching Communities o 1-5 years funding o Main programme (two stages): ―Revenue grants £10,000+ ―Smaller capital grants £10,000 - £100,000 o Buildings programme (three stages): ―Larger capital projects £100,000 + ―Geographically targeted at most deprived areas ―Multipurpose buildings

Reaching Communities Very competitive programme Applications from community & voluntary groups, charities, statutory bodies, social enterprises, not- for-profit companies Apply at least 10 months before project starts Outcomes focused Community led

Reaching Communities You must contact us if... You are applying for Reaching Communities Buildings project OR You are planning to apply for more than £500,000 OR Your project has previously been funded by us

Improving your chances Read the guidance carefully and thoroughly Clearly define and EVIDENCE the need your project is seeking to address Ensure that your proposed activities are clearly linked to your outcomes Consult and involve your beneficiaries – they will be fundamental to the design of your project Prove that your project will make a difference – why is your way the best way?

Evidence the need It’s not just about what you think Don’t assume that readers (funders and partners) will automatically see there is a need. It is up to you to convince them.

Sources of evidence ‘Hard’ Information Local statistics Focus groups Questionnaires Interviews Focus groups Consultations Interviews ‘Before and after’ data Deprivation Index Census Strategies and policies Research reports Local & national priorities Local statistics Questionnaires Letters of support ‘Hard’ Information Waiting lists Office for National Statistics ‘Soft’ information

Tips on evidencing need Tell us about the issues and needs of the people or community you want to work with Quote and date your sources Evidence needs to be varied, recent and relevant Consultation: include when, who, how, numbers, and findings Include local evidence Tell us about other similar services and how you work with them Tell us if your project supports local priorities Reaching Communities: Existing projects must submit an evaluation report showing the impact the project has had

Remember.... Keep your answers simple, clear, specific and consistent. Act on any feedback we have given you. Proofread your form and use the form’s checklist. Make sure your application links together

Getting funding and planning successful projects

W here to find out more Big Advice Line: Textphone: