Grant making Trusts, both national and local, are a good source of funding for registered charities and formally constituted voluntary groups.

Each Trust will differ in the type of organisation or activity it will give money to (some only give to registered charities), it will have different decision making deadlines and different ways in which it will want you to present your application for funding. All of which means that it is very important to do some research to narrow down the most appropriate Trusts that you can apply to. Braintree District Voluntary Support Agency can take some of the hard work out of this by using computer software to select a list of Trusts that are most likely to support your particular project or area of work. Contact - bryan@bdvsa.org or if your project concerns a village or community hall then please contact the Essex Rural Community Council's Village Halls Adviser - Sue.Sheppard@essexrcc.org.uk

SOME USEFUL TIPS

Do Your Research

Don't waste time and money by making poor quality applications to the wrong funders at the wrong time and in the wrong way for what they won't fund.

Always produce your application in the format asked for.

Make sure that the amount you are requesting is in line with the money that is available for distribution.

Don't rush to start your application but make sure you spend time doing your research first.

Meet the Criteria

Most grants are made for specific types of groups or projects. Does your organisation and your project fit the criteria?

Don't send the same information to each Trust, try to tailor each application that you make to fit their individual criteria and area of interest as closely as possible

Matched Funds

If there is a requirement for matched funds, or if you want to strengthen your case by showing what is already being contributed to the project, don't forget to include gifts in kind: volunteer time, donated services, office space, etc., for which you can estimate a value.

Prioritise

Once you have a list of Trusts that you want to apply to, select your hottest prospects and apply to them first, bearing in mind any relevant application deadlines.

The ideal will be to have one large grant that will fund your project in its entirety but the reality is that you will probably end up with a series of smaller grants from more than one funder.

Check, Double Check and Re-Check Your Application Form

Fill it in carefully and legibly.

Remember to sign it.

Remember to add any enclosures requested.

Keep a copy for your records.

It's a good idea to draft your answers first and ask someone unconnected with your work to check the final draft for you to see if it all makes sense. Either Braintree District Voluntary Support Agency - bryan@bdvsa.org or Braintree District Council External Funding Service - angve@braintree.gov.uk can do this for you.

To Include Extra Information or Not?

If the funder specifically requests "no additional information" don't send any. If this request is not made, only include additional information if it provides something the funder really needs to know to make a decision about funding.

Meet the Deadlines

Send your application in by the closing date.

If you are successful in getting the grant, can you meet the deadlines and/or requirements of the funder for the money to be spent?

Cash Flow

Some grants are paid after the work agreed has been completed - make sure your cash flow can cope with this and you can pay up front.

Recording Applications

At the very least make a simple list of who you have applied to, what project, work or item you applied to them for, how much you applied for, the date of your application and the response. This is easy on a computer but even a handwritten record will ensure that you don't approach the same Trust twice and that you have a list of Trusts that support your work - you may then be able to go back to them for further support at a later date.

Don't Take the Money and Run

Always thank the funder on receipt of the money

Some grants come with conditions and reporting back requirements. Make sure that you follow these.

If there is a problem come clean and discuss it with the funder - don't attempt a cover up but if possible have a suggestion as to how you want to overcome the problem.

Even if the funder doesn't ask for it, a six monthly or annual letter demonstrating what has been achieved will help to build an on-going relationship so that you can go back to ask them for funding in the future.

Other useful sources of information

Writing Better Fundraising Applications £12.95 Available for reference/loan from - bdvsa@bdvsa.org

The Youth Funding Guide £16.95 Available for reference or short loan from: - angve@braintree.gov.uk

The Sports Funding Guide £16.95 Available for reference or short loan from: - angve@braintree.gov.uk

All these books also available from the Publisher: Directory of Social Change - online bookshop - http://www.dsc.org.uk/