Falkirk Council

Think about your organisation

About your application

It’s important that you are clear about why you are looking for funding. If your application is going to stand a chance of success, it must meet the funder’s criteria – no matter how good your project or ideas, there is absolutely no point in applying to a funder whose criteria do not match your status or requirements.

Some funders prefer potential applicants to contact them to discuss ideas before an application is submitted – if the funder(s) you want to apply to offer this facility take advantage of it. It can save you a lot of time and effort.

Some funders provide application forms, others prefer a letter. If you are have to write a letter, try to identify the person to whom the application should be sent – it’s preferable to personalise your letter rather than simply addressing it to “Dear Sir or Madam”. And if you are sending letters to a number of funders, remember that a “standard” letter will probably not be appropriate – each funder is different and you need to take account of these differences.

If you are completing an application form, answer every question, and, unless specifically asked, do not refer to attached papers. Funders usually have a large number of applications to process, and the chances are that these attachments may not even be looked at. It’s therefore vital to answer questions in a concise and accurate way. If there is not much space to answer a particular question, it’s because the funder is not looking for a lengthy response. But do remember to submit any enclosures the funder has requested, such as annual accounts, constitution etc.

When completing an application, it’s useful to see the application from the funder’s point of view. Therefore answer all questions clearly, accurately and concisely, and do not make any assumptions about what the funder may know of your organisation or project. You should:

• give a concise description of your organisation, its background, membership and achievements to date
• demonstrate clearly the needs which you are trying to meet
• explain why it is important that these needs are met
• show what your solution is to address these needs
• demonstrate that your organisation has, or can obtain, the necessary skills and expertise to deal with these needs
• draw this up with a detailed note of what the funding is for exactly and in as much detail as you can. This information needs to be clear, concise, realistic and accurate – back this with quotations, costs, comparisons with similar projects, remembering that it’s vital to include all your costs in the application – you can’t go back when you suddenly realise that elements are missing
• explain what plans you have to raise the funding you need
• state how much you hope to raise from each funder
• explain how you hope to fund the project in future years (if applicable)
• publicise any grants you have received and collect information on project achievements if you are looking for future funding
• give a contact number that you can be easily contacted at. It’s not satisfactory for a funder to have to chase you, or to have to leave messages with other people oron answering machines/voicemails etc
• ask someone, preferably unconnected with your organisation, to read over your completed application form before you submit it. They shoudl help you to spot any errors, and missing information that is obvious to you may not be obvious to them.

Common reasons why grants aren't awarded

• The applicant has not shown why the project is needed.
• Funders’ guidelines have not been properly researched.
• The applicant’s request for funding does not fit the level of grant usually made by the funder.
• There is no indication of what the funding will be spent on – other than a general project name.
• The applicant has not shown that the organisation is well managed and capable of running the project.
• The project is poorly planned.
• The funder has received more applications than money available.