Meet the Trusts:Making a better ask

Demystifying our

application process, and showing you how to make your proposal stand out

Why have an application process?

• Large volume of proposals• Time constraints• Budgetary restrictions• Equality and fairness • Due diligence

Before you apply

What do you need funding for? A particular project, or staff salaries to carry out your core work, for example..

Establish the type of funding you

need, timescale and who will manage the

fundraising process

Research which organisations

offer funding that meets your

needs – look outside of the

box (and outside Wales!)

Consider the amount of funding available for the time invested

How does our application process work?

Pre-application research

Formulating a proposal

Assignment Assessment

Decision & agree monitoring and reporting

Pre-application

• For you

• Background research – visit the website or get in touch:

– establish what the timescale is

– how much funding is available

– whether your funding need meets the fund’s criteria

– No two funders are the same, so ensure that you research that particular funder’s requirements and objectives.

• For us

• Keep the website up-to-date

• disseminate relevant information on grant programmes

• respond quickly and honestly to enquiries

• Regularly review to make sure we’re meeting funding needs

Is what we do, what they do?

• For you

• If eligible, and bearing in mind any deadlines or funding cycles, formulate your proposal – read and follow individual guidelines on the website carefully and take into account any advice you’ve received

• For us

• Answer enquiries on formulating proposals, and ensure the website is up to date with application requirements and deadlines

• Due to the large volume of potential applicants, a meeting is not usually required at this stage

Formulating a proposal

Assignment

• For you

• After submitting your proposal, there may be a wait, usually of between 2-10 weeks, before you are contacted with notification of the initial outcome (ineligible, unsuccessful, or taken forward for further research). Feel free to call us to ensure we’ve received the proposal if you haven’t heard from us.

• For us

• Initial sift through of proposals – those not eligible, or that have not demonstrated eligibility in their proposal are unlikely to make it past this stage (approx 60%). Ineligible applications will receive notification of their ineligibility.

• Assignment of proposals – the best proposals are ‘assigned’ for further research (approx 25%). Some proposals, even if eligible, may not go forward at this stage, due to competition for budget with other proposals. Unsuccessful eligible applicants will be notified and can receive feedback on request.

Making your proposal stand out

• Provide the general information requested for all applications (e.g. charity registration number, contact address, website etc)

• Provide relevant information to demonstrate how your proposal meets the requirements of the programme you are applying under e.g. Caring Wales or Environment – Marine. (available on website)

Example of a strong proposal - handout General Information

your charity’s name, address and charity number

email, phone and name of a person to reply to

the programme under which you are applying

how it meets the specific interests/criteria of the programme you are applying under

a link to your website

what it's for

who it benefits

evidence of the success of your previous projects

how much you want and when

what happens if you don't get our help

Programme-specific requirements (Caring Wales Fund)

provide a range of carer-centred support services,

demonstrate strong links with other projects, interventions, organisations and services to ensure a holistic family support approach

reach a substantial number of individuals, whilst

proactively identifying and working with the most isolated and vulnerable carers,

offer sufficient levels of support,

proactively monitor and evaluate their work to improve services and demonstrate impact

promote participation of service users in shaping their services.

Why is monitoring and evaluation so important?

Source: NPC

Real examples of what not to do

• Proposal received on 14th March 2012, which needed funding by 21st March 2012 – this shows a lack of planning ahead

• Proposal for a grant of $300,000 to our World Development fund, for a single-community project. Our maximum grants under the World Development fund are £100k, and for large-scale initiatives (i.e. district / regional level). For community-scale initiatives, maximum grants are £10k

• Proposals to our ‘Wales fund’ because the project or organisation is based in Wales. Proposals need to be made under one of our funding programmes i.e. Caring Wales.

Assessment• For you

• Respond to enquiries on the proposal

• Provide relevant documents, background information etc.

• In some circumstances it may be more convenient to meet to discuss the proposal in full.

• The assessment stage usually lasts around 8 weeks, but can be anything from 2 – 16 weeks. Feel free to ask how long you can expect it to take, as it is likely to be different in each case.

• For us

• Assess the proposal for strength against standard criteria (as on website)

• Due diligence (e.g. take up references, check financial history, policies & procedures, charity registration, strength of key staff and trustees, child protection or POVA policies etc. )

• Any background research on subject / need

• Ask for further information i.e. detailed project plan, objectives / targets, monitoring & evaluation methods, budget breakdown, etc.

• Keep the applicant updated on status of proposal

Decision• For you

• You will be notified of outcome of trustee meeting

• Discuss and propose monitoring & evaluation information agreement

• Read and accept

terms and conditions of grant

• For us

• Prepare summary of findings and recommendation to trustees

• Trustee decision

• Notify applicant of outcome

• Discuss and put together a monitoring and evaluation information agreement