Making an Application

If the trust you want to apply to has an application form, this can make the application process much more straightforward, but you must make sure that you answer all relevant questions and provide any additional information that is requested. Enclose your latest annual report and accounts, but resist the temptation to include lots of reading material unless it is of real benefit to your application.

If there is no application form, then a details account of the proposed project and a simple covering letter is a good format to use; remember also to include your most recent annual report and accounts. Make sure the information is presented clealy, avoiding the use jargon. Try not to use more than two sides of A4, ideally one side should be sufficient for the details.

The Covering Letter

This should contain:

  • A paragraph of background information on your organisation. In no more than 100 words, try to establish the credibility of your organisation - what do you do? Why? Where? To Whom? When were you established? Who else is involved? Are you international, national or local?
  • A brief summary of the project that has been identified, and your proposed solution.
  • A concluding sentence should offer more information, an invitation to visit, or whatever else you feel appropriate.
  • Your charity number
  • Accurate details of the person to be contacted for further information.

The Application

The funding problem

  • What is the problem?
  • How has it arisen?
  • Why and where is it occurring?
  • Who is affected by it?
  • How many people are involved?
  • What evidence do you have? Have you done any research, or has someone else? Are there any statistics? Do you have facts and figures?

The Solution

This is where you should show the aims and objectives of your project, and the specific, measurable outcomes you expect to achieve.

Measure

How will you know if the project is successful? What monitoring process and procedures have/will you put in place?

Budget

  • How much will it cost?
  • When do you need the money?
  • Who else is contributing, either in cash or in-kind?

Future Funding

  • Is this a pilot project, a one-off piece of work, or a continous ongoing activity?
  • How will you continue to fund the project?

Dos and Don'ts

Do

  • Research - lots
  • Answer all questions on the application form concisely and accurately
  • Remember that funders want to solve a problem
  • Complete your application in plain English - avoid acronyms.
  • Give your charity number
  • Ask for exactly what you need
  • Demonstrate that you have put specific measurement criteria in place
  • Show your organisation's commitment to equal opportunities
  • Include your most recent annual report and accounts.

Don't

  • Ignore the application criteria
  • Assume that the funder knows of you, your work, and they will automatically fund you
  • Attach too much additional information
  • Use jargon
  • Use 'mail merge' without checking the details of each application are correct
  • Put 'refer to Annual Report', or see 'see attached leaflet' in sections where the funders ask for specific information. Answer these in fully as they are usually looking for specific things.


 
 
 

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