How to do it
1. Prepare your case
Prepare thoroughly what it is you want to do then split it down into different elements. This can help you to prepare a ‘shopping list’ useful for approaching different funding bodies. For instance, if you are embarking on an ICT project with older learners, you may need a facilitator, a project manger, ICT equipment etc. all of which you may need to raise funds for as a whole or from individual bodes.
2. Research
Study grant and trust listings or employ a consultant to do this and produce a list of who to target. You should also seek informal advice from administrators over the phone before you approach them formally and read any information they produce about their priorities (often this is freely available on the funding body’s website). If its sponsorship or other money from a company you are looking for, don’t forget to research the company thoroughly first; what are their priorities, who do they normally fund, what are they up to at the moment and what’s in it for them?
And last but not least don’t forget to research the name of the person to whom you should address your applications!
3. Partners
Find potential partners who will be able to work with you on the project. Not only will this add value to whatever you are planning, many funding bodies will only fund partnership applications or will look more favourably on an application for a joint project.
4. Prepare you bid/papers/case
As each funder will have different priorities, your bid will need to be adjusted accordingly for each one. Don’t be tempted to cut corners and do a blanket mailout as this very rarely works. The application will need to be concise and avoid jargon. If the application asks for supporting documentation, make sure this is strong. If you are asked for references from external individuals in support of your application, ensure that you approach referees in plenty of time and that they are thoroughly briefed on your project.
Do you have the necessary skills to write a strong application? There are plenty of training courses to help you (see training)
Following your application you may be asked to attend an interview or deliver a presentation. If this is the case, ensure that you know all the facts and the figures about your project inside-out. Its also a good idea to ensure that you have a good knowledge of the funder and what their current priorities are. Do you have the necessary presentation skills to really ‘sell’ your project? If you’re not sure, try a practice run on your colleagues and find some training that could help.
5. Keep records and manage your contracts
Make sure that you keep a list of outcomes of all your grant applications. That way, if you leave, someone else won’t suffer the embarrassment of applying to the same funder twice for the same project. Try to make sure that all the contact with the key people in the funding organisation is done by one person! One of the things that frustrates funders is not knowing who to deal with, or worse, getting calls from 5 or 6 different people that make it look like your left arm doesn’t know what your right arm is doing.
6. Don’t give up!