1. What do funders look for in a good
application?
Trevor Smale - Grant Manager, South West
2. Why do we say “No”?
• Not enough money
- have a plan if rejected
• Poor fit
• Timing
- plan the bid well
- stand out
3. What gets in the way?
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Knowledge
Time
Lack of relevant skills
Too ‘close’
4. Examples of what funders look for in a
well run organisation?
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Good governance
Good support for staff and volunteer development
Well run finances
Match funding secure
Good service & business planning
Understanding of the needs of people using their
services
• Understanding the impact their services have on
their users
5. Hints and Tips for successful
applications
• Does your funding need fit with the funder’s
criteria and priorities. Not all funders are the
right funder for everyone – ‘horses for courses’
• Do you know there is a need for this service?
How?
• Plan a proper timetable and budget
• Think about what changes and benefits will it
achieve for users? Can you define these in a
SMART way? How will you measure impact?
6. What is ‘SMART’?
Hard-to-reach clients will learn how to
engage with others and with other
services.
By the end of the project in 2015 twenty
disabled individuals will gain
employment or be placed in a training
scheme.
7. Hints and Tips for successful
applications
• Be clear about why you want funding. Is there
any flexibility in this?
• Ask someone to check your application before
you submit it
• Make the most of any assessment visit by being
prepared and thinking about questions before
the meeting.
• Consider how many different sources you might
need to try to secure the funding you need
8. Hints and Tips for successful
applications
• Use available resources e.g. your local CVS
• Network locally and with other groups in your
sector
• Build an evidence base
• Involve your users
• Be realistic
• Demonstrate the passion
