I was recently asked to review a funding application, which reminded me of some of the complexities surrounding writing a successful bid, particularly in understanding what the donor really, really wants. So, with apologies to the Spice Girls, here are a few hints that may help you towards finding that perfect match between your work and that of your perspective funder.
Read what they say. This may appear obvious, but make sure that, if the funder provides guidelines for applicants, criteria for funding etc., you have read and understood them. Without compromising the work you want to do, try, wherever possible, to use the funder’s language and specifically link to the priorities they describe when writing your application. If nothing else, it makes it far easier for those assessing your work to make the links between what you do and what they want to fund. Even if nothing of this sort is published, you can often find clues in the way the funder describes themselves or the language they use in documents like their annual accounts (freely available from the Charity Commission web site).
Look what they actually support. What funders say they fund and what they actually fund are not necessarily the same thing (I have written about this elsewhere). It is always worth checking what projects they have funded in the past and seeing if your work matches these. Again, check for the way funded projects are described, both by the funder and by the projects themselves; after all they must have got something right to have been successful.
Finally, don’t be afraid to call. Some funders will specifically say up front that they do not accept contact from applicants and others will tell you that if you get hold of them and obviously you will need to respect that. However, many funders are happy to chat; listen out for what they tell you and the language they use. This could tell you a great deal about the organisation you are applying to, as well as making your application stand out as ‘that one from the nice (hopefully) man / women who rang the other day’. You may also consider ringing previously successful applicants to see if they have any tips and advice, most will be flattered to be asked!
There are lots of other things you can do to improve your chances of funding in what is an increasingly competitive environment. Contact me, if I can help.