What Makes a Good Funding Application?

Presenter

Carolyn Puterbough, OMAFRA

2

3

Applicant Eligibility

• Is the Program eligibility broad or specific?

• Strong applications show alignment with program

outcomes

• Does the program require co-applicants or are

collaborations encouraged? • Demonstrate support for the intent of the project, in-

kind or financial support will show a strong collaboration

4

Completing the Application• Use the application form and fill it out in full

• Finances : be sure to provide all of the information that is asked for

in the application or guidebook for example:

• 3 years of Financials

• Detailed budget for the project

• Demonstrate where the other funding is coming from (understand the

limits of public funding)

• Timing:

• Start date for the project should be 3 – 4 months later than the

application date, funding programs take time to internal assess

applications before the approval process takes place

5

Elements of an Application: Project Descriptions

• Projects should include a brief and concise project

description (2 – 3 paragraphs). The activities should be

clearly defined in the description (less of the “why” and

more of the “how”) and the activities should match with the

project budget

• Under “Why is the project needed”, applicants should

indicate the need for the project (again, brief and concise, 2

– 3 paragraphs), including any previous planning that has

identified the need for the project (evidence-based planning

should always be included for implementation projects)

6

Elements of an Application: Project Outcomes/Benefits

• Short-term and long-term outcomes should be identified

and should be directly attributable to the project described

and should be measurable.

• The project should directly support the outcomes described

in the program guidelines and in some cases the program

may specifically tell the applicant how they would like those

outcomes to be measured

• Additional project benefits should be identified if applicable

– these result in a stronger score for alignment with

program outcomes.

7

Elements of an Application: Project Contributions

• Read the guidebook to understand what role in-kind contributions

can plan in the project. In some cases, in-kind contributions show

collaboration and support for the project and should be

documented but cannot be used as matching contributions

• An applicant contribution can be sourced elsewhere but makes a

weaker application.

• In provincial funding programs, CFDC funding is considered a

federal source of funding – partnerships should be used to ensure

that projects involving CFDCs do not exceed the maximum of 75%

(90% in special circumstances) in federal and provincial funding

sources.

8

Elements of an Application: Project Costs

• Applicants should include notes as to how the costs were

estimated when possible (identified in a previous planning

exercise, based on actual quotes or based on previous,

similar activities, etc.).

• When consulting is included and then other costs are

included (for example, for project management) that would

usually be included in consulting fees, provide an

explanation.

• The budget should clearly show the same project that was

described in Project Description.

• Costs for fiscal year should come to the total eligible costs

(not total project costs) and should match the project

budget timeframe and project start and end dates.

9

Elements of an Application: What makes a stronger

application• Letters of support

• Provide letters of support from a variety of stakeholders that will benefit

from the project

• Ask that the letters reflect the outcomes of the project and are

individually drafted

• Evidence based data• Show evidence to demonstrate why the project is needed

• Use data from sources such as OMAFRA’s Analyst tool, Census of

Agriculture, Business Retention and Expansion survey’s, focus groups

etc.

• Ask for Feedback from OMAFRA Staff• Well ahead of the deadline, ask an OMAFRA Economic Development

Advisor that covers your region, to review and provide feedback on the

draft application

If you have program questions or would like to contact an Agriculture and Rural Economic Development Advisor

for your area please contact:Agricultural Information Contact Centre:1-877-424-1300

Presentation by:Carolyn Puterbough

Agriculture and Rural Economic Development AdvisorMinistry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

705-324-6126Carolyn.Puterbough@ontario.ca

www.ontario.ca/omafra

10

For more information: