Writing a funding bid

1. Writing a funding bid Alan Lawrie Mellor & Lawrie Management

2. Writing a funding bid Aims •  To develop skills, knowledge and expertise in bid writing skills. • To highlight new trends and developments and their implications.

3. Writing a funding bid Aims Programme Context Key issues Your project Putting the bid together Bid writing What works •  To develop skills, knowledge and expertise in bid writing skills. • To highlight new trends and developments and their implications.

4. Key issues

5. Key issues • Need to be strategic

6. Key issues • Need to be strategic • A lot of fund raising effort is wasted

7. Key issues • Need to be strategic • A lot of fund raising effort is wasted • Its getting tougher!

8. Key issues • Need to be strategic • A lot of fund raising effort is wasted • Its getting tougher! • Relationship building rather than grabbing funding.

9. Key issues • Need to be strategic • A lot of fund raising effort is wasted • Its getting tougher! • Relationship building rather than grabbing funding. • “Funders” are changing how they operate.

10. Trends in funding…

11. Trends in funding… • Funders operating to clearer and transparent criteria.

12. Trends in funding… • Funders operating to clearer and transparent criteria. • Concerns about the boundary between statutory and charitable.

13. Trends in funding… • Funders operating to clearer and transparent criteria. • Concerns about the boundary between statutory and charitable. • More project funding… concerns about sustainability.

14. Trends in funding… • Funders operating to clearer and transparent criteria. • Concerns about the boundary between statutory and charitable. • More project funding… concerns about sustainability. • Interest in outcomes and evidence.

15. Trends in funding… • Funders operating to clearer and transparent criteria. • Concerns about the boundary between statutory and charitable. • More project funding… concerns about sustainability. • Interest in outcomes and evidence. • Shift from being a donor to being an investor.

16. Two types of bids Needs led Funder led

17. Two types of bids Needs led Funder led • Organisation spots need or gap. • Organisation develops the idea for the project. • Organisation aims to persuade the funder to recognise the need and back the idea.

18. Two types of bids Needs led Funder led Funder has identified need Funder looks for an organisation that can meet the need. Funder has a clear idea of what they want or need. • Organisation spots need or gap. • Organisation develops the idea for the project. • Organisation aims to persuade the funder to recognise the need and back the idea.

19. Learningthe Language • Added value • Additionality • Approved list • Business case • Business plan • Best value • Commissioning • Evaluation • Inputs • Indicators • Milestones • Monitoring • Outputs • Outcomes • Procurement • Project exit strategies • Performance measures • Quality assurance • Service level agreement • Specification • Strategy • Targets • Tender • Value for money

20. Planning your project

21. Planning your project

22. Planning your project

23. Planning your project

24. The bid as a project. • Think of the bid as a project. • See it as a new and fresh piece of work. • Create a project team. • Clarify roles and responsibilities. • Identify key tasks and decisions. • Plan and manage time. • Not a one person show!

25. Developing a bid 4 stages:

26. Developing a bid 4 stages:

27. Developing a bid 4 stages:

28. Developing a bid 4 stages:

29. Developing a bid 4 stages:

30. Skills needed to write bids • Ability to sell an idea or concept. • Ability to use their language. • Ability to think objectively about your project. • Ability to be solution or outcomes orientated. • Ability to accurately cost and price bids. • Ability to highlight your success • Attention to detail and deadlines.

31. Common mistakes in bid writing

32. Common mistakes in bid writing • Not fully reading the material

33. Common mistakes in bid writing • Not fully reading the material • Bidding for what you want to do rather than what is being commissioned.

34. Common mistakes in bid writing • Not fully reading the material • Bidding for what you want to do rather than what is being commissioned. • Assuming prior knowledge

35. Common mistakes in bid writing • Not fully reading the material • Bidding for what you want to do rather than what is being commissioned. • Assuming prior knowledge • Using a different set of language or jargon

36. Common mistakes in bid writing • Not fully reading the material • Bidding for what you want to do rather than what is being commissioned. • Assuming prior knowledge • Using a different set of language or jargon • Not following the prescribed format

37. How to irritate a funder • Don’t read their guidance – apply anyway. • Try to make them feel guilty. • Overload them with information – they can sort it out. • Ignore their format • Over use informal approaches • Don’t follow up

38. Watch out for JUSWAG

39. Watch out for JUSWAG • Just • Us • Saying • We • Are • Great

40. Making your pitch • We run a debt counselling service • We facilitate peer and emotional support to vulnerable people • We intervene to tackle homelessness

41. Making your pitch • We run a debt counselling service • We facilitate peer and emotional support to vulnerable people • We intervene to tackle homelessness • We help people to get out of debt and to develop skills to avoid future debt • We help people not to be lonely • We help people to get and keep their own homes.

42. Bid style • Use an active style and language • Keep to the prescribed format • Don’t oversell • Identify key points • Stress: • Fit with your aims • Shared vision and values • Partnership working • Competence and sound management • Fit with other projects • Added value • Be able to back up any statements or claims.

43. Typical bid structure:

44. Bid writing

45. Bid writing 1. Follow any prescribed format  Answer each and every question  Check all points are covered

46. Bid writing 1. Follow any prescribed format  Answer each and every question  Check all points are covered 2. Use a positive style and active tone.  Make it feel lively and confident  Focus on success

47. Bid writing 1. Follow any prescribed format  Answer each and every question  Check all points are covered 2. Use a positive style and active tone.  Make it feel lively and confident  Focus on success 3. Show that you want to do this service  How does it fit with your vision and role?  Show how it fits in with your other activities

48. Bid writing 4. Don’t oversell.  Highlight key points What’s the key message of your bid?

49. Bid writing 4. Don’t oversell.  Highlight key points What’s the key message of your bid? 5. Don’t use jargon…unless they do…  Decode the jargon Use plain English

50. Bid writing 4. Don’t oversell.  Highlight key points What’s the key message of your bid? 5. Don’t use jargon…unless they do…  Decode the jargon Use plain English 6. Show that you understand the issues  Acknowledge what is driving the bid  Start at the need