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SSESSMENTS
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
PRESENTING YOUR CASE WHEN APPLYING FOR GRANT FUNDING
It is worth remembering that potential donors often have no detailed knowledge or understanding of how your organisation or charity’s service translates into changing people’s lives for the better. Most names and titles need further explanation unless they are very well known or self-explanatory like “Help the Aged” or “Guide Dogs for the Blind”.
Funders may be looking for reasons to reject your application since the person receiving your appeal or application has many to go through and you are directly in competition for funds! These notes give advice on applying for grants, rather than sponsorship, that is, when you have a definite, saleable benefit to offer the potential funder who is likely to be interested for commercial reasons rather than the ‘feel good’ factor.
Often the mistake is made in asking for contributions for features or particular aspects of what you are doing e.g. to provide swings for a playground, or equipment for the village hall. It is much more important to translate these into benefits for your group. Donors will be more motivated to support you if they are given a clear description of what a difference their money will make. Translating features into real tangible benefits is a vital part of presenting your case, for example, providing facilities in the village to prevent the danger of children playing in the street.
THE TEN-POINT PLAN
The key ingredients of an application (whether on a standard form or not) can be summarised in 10 points. It is important to be brief. We suggest no more than 2 sides of A4 paper – similar to this document in layout. Bullet points with clear headlines help. Type in a reasonably large typeface (12 point, minimum 11 point, preferably Times font rather than Univers or Arial), with clear space around to make it easy to read.
- Who are you? What are you there to do?
(This may well be summarised in your Mission Statement)
Often it is important to specify the type of organisation making the request, since in many cases only certain groups are eligible to apply. For example, most charitable trusts can only legally support registered charities. Therefore, if you are a charity, always ensure that this is noted in your application and on your notepaper quote the registration number.
- What are the specific objectives of this appeal or application?
(What do you need, what are you asking for exactly?)
Remember that sometimes it may be more appropriate and helpful in meeting your objectives to ask for items other than money. For example, if you are repairing or constructing a building, you may approach companies that could offer materials or expertise as ‘in kind’ donations. Do you need publicity for an event or meeting? Ask if your leaflet could be included in their mail. This saves you postage, and does not cost the company (apart from the extra work to add something into the envelope). You reach a wider audience – but make sure that the target audience is suitable!
- Why is this appeal or project important and urgent?
It is not just desirable, it is really essential!
- What would happen if the project or appeal failed?
Describe in detail, paint a picture of the consequences, e.g. juvenile crime may continue to rise; the increasing number of elderly will have nowhere to meet.
- How much money is needed?
This is where you need to draw up a budget, listing the components, mentioning if these are based on quotations. Be specific, and where appropriate you should include overheads and professional fees. The External Funding Officers can advise in more detail on this point.
- Over what period of time are you attempting to raise the money?
Given a timetable, people will sense the urgency of the appeal more, for example; floodlighting for the football field is needed before the dark evenings start. Alternatively, if you have started planning the appeal or project in plenty of time this can also be beneficial since you may be invited to reapply when you are nearer the target. You may find that the initial response is that funds have been exhausted for the current financial year, but then you will know when the best time is to make another application. Keep trying, if at first you don’t succeed …
- Who else is contributing or supporting the project/appeal/organisation?
People like to feel they are contributing to something that someone else they respect also thinks is worthwhile. Mention the appeal target and the amount raised so far, and if appropriate mention specific large grants or sources of funds promised. For example, this project has already received a grant from the Parish Council or has held fundraising events, etc.
- Relate to donors
Translate their potential gift into a service, or aspect of what will be provided. The budget ‘shopping list’ can be useful to show what benefit a grant of a specific amount will mean. For example, an access ramp for disabled people for the village hall would ensure that every villager can attend events and meetings would cost £x.
- Be concise, to the point, use positive language
Show that this is important and that you believe in what you are doing.
- Use benefit statements to motivate and give your donor reasons to give
Don’t forget to ask and always ensure you say “Thank you”!
GOOD LUCK!
Remember that the first rule of raising funds is that unless you ask you will not get! You need to think carefully about who to ask, what to ask them for, and how to go about it. Who should approach your potential donor? You are much more likely to be successful if the contact is more personal, if the donor has visited the site or project or if it is ‘close to home’ in terms of geography, their personal interests or experience.
We are grateful to Martin Buckland, External Funding Officer for the Vale of White Horse District Council for allowing us to reproduce this Ten Point Plan
USEFUL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS
NB Usually to access these funds the applicant must be a registered Charity
These books are usually available from public libraries for reference
Directory of Social Change
Guide to Major Trusts Volume 1 & 2
The Guide to UK Company Giving
National Lottery Yearbook
Other specialist guides for different areas and groups
Updated regularly. Available also on CD-ROM Trusts Guide for use on computer
24 Stephenson Way, LondonNW1 2DP020 7209 5151
Charities Aid Foundation
Directory of Grant Making Trusts, latest edition 1999-2000 also on CD—ROM Grantseeker
Focus series of Directories e.g. Conservation/Animal
Series of ‘How to’ books for smaller organisations and charities on fundraising, e.g. ‘Payroll Giving’
Order via: Biblios, Star Road, Partridge Green, W Sussex RH13 8LD
Email 01403 710851
Enquiries at CAF01732 520110
OTHER SOURCES/USEFUL INFORMATION
Directory of British Associations
Published by CBD Research Ltd, 15 Wickham Road, Beckenham, KentBR3 5JS020 8650 7745
Gifts in Kind UK – PO Box 140, 20 St Mary at Hill, London EC3R 8NA020 7204 5003
The Trustee Register114 Peascod Street, Windsor, Berks SL4 1DN01753 868277
Rural Community Council (Leicestershire & Rutland) - Funding pack 0116 266 2905
Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE)
Somerford Court, Somerford Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1TW01285 653477
Fundraising on the Internet
or book in form from Direct Connection0800 0720 000
SOURCES OF POSSIBLE FUNDING
The Big Lottery Fund * 0345 919191
Lottery Awards for All*0845 600 2040 (£500 to £10,000)
Other Funding Opportunities:
Barclays plc Debbie Philips, CommunityCo-ordinator, South East Region
60 Queens Road, ReadingRG1 4BL
Tel: 020 8272 6750
The Nationwide Foundation
Nationwide House, Pipers Way,
Swindon SN38 1NW 01793 457183
Lord Butler Charitable Trust
Mrs C A Gulliver Trust Officer,
Lloyds Private Banking Ltd
UK Trust Centre, The Clock House,
22/26 Ock Street, AbingdonOX14 5SW
01235 554000
Tesco Charity Trust
Linda Marsh Secretary, Tesco Charity Trust
Tesco House, Delamere Road, Cheshunt,
Herts. EN8 9SL 01992 632222
The Bowland Charitable Trust
Mr K Bretherton, TDS House, Lower Philips Road, Whitebirk Estate, Blackburn BB8 5TH 01254 676921
The Percy Bilton Charity Organiser, Bilton House, London W5 2TL 020 8579 2829 / BBC Children in Need Appeal
PO Box 7LondonW3 6XJ 0171 992 7043
The Greater Bristol Foundation
PO Box 383, Bank of England Chambers, Wine Street, BristolBS99 5JG
(covers areas served by Bristol & West Building Society)
Mr & Mrs J A Pye’s Charitable Settlement
Administrative Office, c/o Sharp Parsons Tallon, 167 Fleet Street, LondonEC4A 2EA
020 7353 1053
Sportsmatch Community Initiative *(matching money)
Sportsmatch, Warwick House,
25/27 Buckingham Palace Road,
London SW1W 0PP 020 7233 7747
British Nuclear Fuels Ltd
BNFL UK, Risley, Warrington,
Cheshire WA3 6AS Tel:01925 832000
John Rayner Charitable Trust
Mrs J Rayner, 42 Radnor Walk, London SW3 4BN 020 7352 6197
* See back page for more information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SOME FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
FOOTBALL FOUNDATION (Suitable for a joint application a football/sports club & a local authority)
Football and government have teamed up to launch the Football Foundation, a partnership of the FA Premier League, the Football Association, Government and Sport England. In the first year £24 million was invested into the game, rising to £60 million p.a. The Football Foundation aims to revolutionise the whole funding process for grass roots football by pooling resources into a huge fund for redistribution throughout the game. Three quarters of the total budget will be devoted to the grass roots, improving pitches and changing rooms at our schools and in parks. With this new partnership, the Foundation will aim to mirror the transformation we have seen in the quality of our league grounds by making our grass roots facilities the envy of Europe, if not the World! All applications or enquiries about grant aid for Improvement projects should be addressed to The Football Foundation, 25 Soho SquareLondonW1D 4FF Tel 020 7287 0459
BIG LOTTERY FUND
There are many changes taking place with the Big Lottery Fund withdrawing existing lottery grant schemes and replacing them with new ones following the merger of the New Opportunities Fund and the Community Fund. Unfortunately it is not easy to summarise the changes and you are advised to access for the latest information on the main source of funding for more than half the good causes supported by the National Lottery this year.
FUNDING FOR CHILDREN’S PLAY
The Big Lottery Fund has recently announced a wave of new funding programmes including a £155 million strategic programme for children’s play in England. Grants will be available to develop, create, improve, and design, innovative children’s play facilities with the aim of providing free local play provision for children and young people. For further details and information about this fund access - to be launched April 2006.
AWARDS FOR ALL (Fast track route for a number of applicants looking for £500 to £10,000)
Awards for All is a programme aimed at helping small groups. It is supported by Sport England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Arts Council of England and the Community Fund. Due to its success the Awards for All programme has been extended beyond the original finishing date of June 2000 and in April 2006 the maximum grant was increased to £10,000. The fund remains geared towards small groups with a community focus. For further information, including details of criteria for the allocation of funds call 0845 600 2040 or
SPORTS MATCH (Frequently overlooked but a great opportunity of increasing fund at a stroke)
This is a government initiative that aims to improve the quality and quantity of business sponsorship at the grass roots level. Every pound put up by a new business sponsorship starting from a minimum of £1,000 has the potential to be matched on an equal basis. For more information contact Sports match 4th Floor Warwick House Buckingham Palace Rd London SW1W OPP Tel: 020 7233 7747 or use
Landfill Tax Credit Scheme Funders
The following operate grant schemes in Leicestershire. Your project has to be within ten miles of a land fill site in current use. Contact operators to find out if your project meets their criteria for location and eligibility.
WREN – Manor Farm, Bridgham, Norwich NR16 2RX Tel: 01953 717165
SITA – The Barn, Brinkmarsh Lane, Falfield, South Gloucestershire GL12 8PT Tel: 01454 262910
BIFFA – Biffaward, The Kiln, Waterside, Mather Road, Newark, NG24 1WT Tel:
0870 036 1000
THE ONYX ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST - Ruthdene, Station Road, Four Ashes, Wolverhampton, WV10 7DG Tel: 01902 794677
THE IBSTOCK CORY ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST – Angela Haymonds, P.O. Box 3138, Slough, SL3 9ZH Tel: 01753 9ZH
The CPFA movement is grateful to Leicestershire & Rutland Playing Fields Association and The Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association for producing much of this topic sheet and is also pleased to acknowledge the invaluable assistance provided by Fields in Trust, in the origination of material for this Information sheet. Whilst every care has been taken in the production of this Information Sheet , CPFAs cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that might occur, or be held liable for any advice given. Feb 06
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