Firm Foundations: Top Tips for Applying to Trusts

1. Firm Foundations:Top Tips for Applying to Trusts Janine Edwards Learning & Development Manager

2. About the FSI

3. Free services for small charities (< £1.5 million turnover p.a) training courses conferences & workshops monthly advice sessions fundraising events & initiatives amplifying your voice – campaigning & lobbying scholarship and affiliate programmes buying groups online resources & forums

4. 520 c Consultancy for in depth support and step change projects: Strategy & planning Organisational structure, HR & recruitment Trustee facilitation & board development Training Campaign planning & management Event planning & management

6. Session overview • Doing your research • Matching needs and eligibility • Developing your applications • Responding to funders’ decisions

7. Setting The Scene Funding from trusts and other grant-making bodies continues to play a crucial role in the growth and development of a thriving civil society

8. 4 stages: • Research • Identify • Apply • Steward

9. 1. Research External research: Where can you find information about trusts and foundations in the UK and overseas?

10. Internal Preparation What key internal information do you need to know?

11. Internal Preparation You need to know (or know where to find): Core Case for Support (One Voice) What you want / when you want it How you are going to get it – strategy Your organisational projects: costs, timings, outputs, outcomes, benefits to donor, how will you measure your success?

12. 2. Identify Check and double check your eligibility! DSC Research 2008/2009 – average 36% applications ineligible. If each application took 10 mins (if only!) – equates to seven years wasted effort

13. Top tips: Eligibility • Read the guidance. • If there isn’t any criteria, or you are not sure about the criteria, try to speak to the funder. • Don’t send blanket appeals. • Do your research! • Ensure your application is clear, concise and jargon-free. • Look for trusts that can only fund in your area or which express a preference for it • Look for trusts that are interested in your field of work and the sort of people who will benefit from it

14. 3. Apply Developing your application: What do funders want to know?

15. Developing your application • Use the application form if provided. • If not, use the following structure:1. Summary2. Introduction & Background3. The Problem - Need4. The Solution5. Measure6. Budget7. Future Funding

16. Language – good or bad? • Are these examples good or bad? • We work in the most deprived area of … • Massive increase • Desperate need • We provide a unique service • You will be familiar with… • Two of your trustees are well known to our Chairman… • Any help you can give us, however small, will be greatly appreciated • If you know anyone else who may want to support please refer them to our work • A DVD describing our work much better than I can is enclosed

17. Ready To Send… • Review • Check and double check the address and contact name! • Photo copy or copy/paste all the information • Consider receipted delivery

18. Application Completed!

19. Their Response? • Yes • No • Yes but not all…….. How should you respond to these?

20. 4. Stewardship • Recognition • Keep in Touch • Go Back & Ask Again “ Once you’ve recruited a donor, you should treat them as if they’re going to be partners with you for life - and donations are milestones on the journey with them” Giles Pegram – Director of Fundraising NSPCC

21. Reporting Back • Record and diarise • Collect information required from the outset • Ensure the whole team involved is aware of exactly what is required • Allocate one key worker to be responsible for reporting back