1. Some ideas for getting funding
Bridget Cass

2. Needs Why are you looking for funding? To continue an existing service
To develop an existing service
Because of new demands
To develop a new service
All of these need to be justified

3. Research the trusts or foundations:
What are their criteria – do you fit them?

4. Research
Research the trusts or foundations:
Do they have geographical limits?
Do they only fund specific target groups?
Do they fund specific priorities?
What size of grants do they give? – look at their annual reports – all on the Charity Commission website.
DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH

5. Research your funding needs For Core funding
What are you doing in the long term about supporting the organisation?
Why do you need the funding now?
Where else are you looking – do you have a variety of sources – statutory, trust, earned income..

6. Once you have a list of funders:
Research
Once you have a list of funders:
Talk to them informally – most welcome it! Is this the sort of proposal they would welcome?
Find out about their processes – do they have forms? If not what do they need?
What are their deadlines? How often do trustees meet.

7. REMEMBER Fundraising is a slow process AND
Funding is a slow process, and most administrators have to work to a timetable SO
Allow plenty of time, and let funders know your timescales.

8. Applying
Fill in the forms as accurately as possible – they may seem daft, but they have a reason for them.
If you use figures use ones that are realistic – it winds up funders to be total the potential spread is the whole adult population…

9. Applying
Ask for reasonable amounts of money – reasonable to do the job, and in line with the sorts of funding granted.
Don’t use jargon
Don’t underestimate the knowledge of trustees!

10. Applying For those funders who don’t use forms: They want to know:
About your organisation – a bit of background
What you do and what you want to do
Why you want to do it
How will you do it
Who will benefit
How much will it cost
How much have you raised
If it is a service or a publication, will you be charging – how much
What will happen at the end of the funding – be realistic
Most funders will also want to see your latest annual report and accounts

11. Once you’ve put in your application
Most funders will acknowledge it – read the letter carefully
If there are any guidelines to time – take note of them
Ask about the stages of the process
If you are told that there is a meeting, ask how long after the meeting you will be able to know any decisions

12. Once you’ve put in your application
IMMEDIATELY APPLY TO THE NEXT FUNDER – DO NOT PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET

13. If you are successful What are the conditions of the grant?
Are you able to fulfil them?
What sort of reports do the funders want?
How often?
You now not only have to get on with the project, but also the funder.

14. Before the end of the grant
Find out about final reports
Find out if the funder is interested, or expecting to fund other projects
Make certain you send all the necessary documents