Grant makers say applicants must do better

Local grant-making organisations are reporting that applications they receive are of poor quality across the board. One funder recently stated that from every 50 applications received only 2 would be of the quality the funder would wish to see.

This feedback from local funders reflects a trend from Northern Ireland applicants stated by other UK trusts and foundations with a general consenus of opinion stating applications need to improve greatly.

A number of funders are of the opinion that applications are all too often ‘tired’ and obviously made “last minute”.

This issue came up again and again at meetings between grant-makers. It was first raised last year at a conference for Northern Ireland members of the Association of Charitable Foundations. It was an issue again at NICVA meeting with funders to discuss the recession in August and again at a recent meeting of the Northern Ireland Trusts group.

So what can applicants do to improve their chances of success?

It hopefully goes without saying that you need to identify and research the funder thoroughly before applying and read the guidelines provided.  You should also plan your project before you identify the funding for it. Plan the project to tackle the cause and then consider who might fund it or how you can raise money is other ways.

NICVA provides a free service to review applications that have been drafted before they go to the funder. Simply contact us for more information.

Here are 5 tips to help improve chances of success in applying to grant-makers.

1. Convince of Need

Imagine someone who adamantly doesn’t believe there is a need for the project you are applying for – then go about convincing them with reference to a range of sources, not just your own opinion. Think about the competition from other applications for the same money. Are you convinced you have proven a need above another similar organisations from elsewhere in you neighbourhood, region or across the UK? Fail to do this and no matter how strong the rest of the application is the chances are it will be rejected.

2. Plan Properly

If you are clear there is a need you ought to have a clear plan for tackling that need. Prepare you plan as if you were standing before the panel of wealthy investors on Dragon’s Den. You should always avoid jargon and waffle and have clear and quantifiable aims, objectives and outcomes.

3. Inspire

If the application bores you it will bore everyone else. You should seek to inspire the people you are applying to without going overboard with enthusiasm. You are appealing to people who want to make a difference to the causes they are funding – put a little ‘fire in the belly’ of the application. Remember – funders want to fund new things so give them new things. If you need funding for core work you have been doing for years will need to repackage this in new and interesting ways to be successful. If you can’t do this then your funding will have to be raised in alternative ways.

4. Ask for the right amount of money

Be accurate with your costs and think carefully about the amount you are asking for.  You need to realistically consider what any funder is likely to give you – not just hope they will give you just what you ask for. Look at the average grants the funder makes and ask yourself, is your project really worth more than the average? If not then ask for the average level. Never ask for more than the stated maximum and only ask for the maximum if your application is truly exceptional.

5. Be realistic

You will need to think about where else you can raise money from beyond grant-sources. Northern Ireland has been privileged for years with the amount of finance from the European Union, National Lottery and Government grants. This pot is diminishing every year so inevitably organisations will have to raise money from elsewhere.

You will need to raise money from your communities and/or through trading activitiy to survive in the long term.

For those interesting in developing their skills in applying for funding you can sign up for NICVA’s training course on 4 November entitled “Making a better application to charitable trusts”. It costs £50 for NICVA members or £75 for non members.

You can also call Neil Irwin or James Lavery at NICVA on 028 9087 7777.