Grant Application Basics
Content Kindly Provided & Copyright 2010 to : Margaret May, MBA (Distinction), past board member (for eight years) Eastern & Central Community Trust and current Board member of Central Energy Trust.
Do the Groundwork First
Find a funding source whose grant criteria matches your own;
• Types of organisations funded (eg.schools, sporting groups)
• Types of projects funded (eg. Capital expenditure, marketing)
• Get a list of previous grants given; check on websites, or ask
• Make sure the funding cycle matches your timeframes
Preparing a Funding Application
What you need to supply will vary depending on your organisation, what you require funding for and who you are requesting funding from. The panel on the right outlines the basics of an application. In addition:
• Make sure your application is free from obvious errors such as budget calculation errors. If you can,
type your application. Keep a copy for yourself.
• Be pepared to receive less than you ask for. Have a Plan B.
• Make sure the size of the grant justifies the work required to apply. A smaller grant requiring less
supporting data may be appropriate.
After your Application is lodged
You should receive an acknowledgement within two or three weeks. If not, follow up to make sure it has been received.
If your Application is successful
Acknowledge your project funding sources. For example in press coverage of your project, or at the very least, acknowledgment should be made in committee minutes, newsletters etc.
Often funding sources have exclusions on further grants to the same organisation in their financial year. Check their financial year dates, as this may not be the same as a calendar year.
If your Application is unsuccessful
Don’t contact the funding source and ask why. Most will not enter into a dialogue over funding decisions.
There is fierce competition for funding dollars, so if your application is declined, don’t get disheartened. Try again with another funding source. It might pay to get a third party to check over your application.
First Stop for NZ Fundraisers
2010 Copyright The Fundraising Foundation Limited
