Trust Fundraising Applications - Raising Money through Grants

It's possible to make a considerable part of your income for a new project from grant applications to Trusts or Foundations  

If you're wondering how to write your application, here's some ideas on what to include and how you can complete the funding application form to give yourself the best chance of success.

Here's a few simple pointers about what to do and what NOT to do:-

1. Don't submit the exact same application to hundreds of trusts - in the hope that the odds will work in your favor.  This approach will get your grant application placed in the recycling bin of more organisations that you would like
2. Do your research properly - time invested in doing this will pay dividends.  Look at what sorts of projects they will consider funding, make sure that you have the latest information as some grant making bodies will change their funding guidelines annually.  Do look at local bodies, as this improves the odds in your favor, as they not only have fewer applications, but do need to make grants to local groups.  Remember that many Trusts have more than ten unsuccessful applications for every successful application, so do read their paperwork carefully
3. Read their information carefully - if they say that they don't fund building projects, don't apply for money for your new church building!  Be judicious with your time, only apply when you fit their criteria. 
4. If they suggest that you phone and contact them to discuss your application, prior to sending it in, then do so.  You may have to revise your application in a small way to fit their criteria, but this will significantly increase your chances of success.
5. Some local trusts require that you are introduced by a trustee - find out who these are by reviewing the public information available (in the UK, this is via the Charity Commission website) and see if anyone in your organisation already knows one of the trustees.  If not, maybe this could be a long term goal through networking.
6. Apply in good time - some Trusts meet only quarterly, and then will take a couple of months to know the outcome of the meeting.  Hence you may need to apply up to six to twelve months before you actually need the money
7. Follow the instructions - if they ask you to attach the latest copy of your accounts, then do so.  Check carefully (or get someone else to do so on your behalf) - twice - that you have included and completed everything that they asked for
8. Send it in time - check the deadline and get your paperwork ready well ahead of time.  Completing it in a hurry makes you more likely to make mistakes.  If you need to pay the additional costs for next day delivery to ensure that it gets there - you've invested a significant amount of time, don't rely on the post to deliver it

Do keep your application to a minimum - don't submit a five page covering letter with additional information.

At most, keep your covering letter to two pages and include at most one photograph.

Do keep a copy of everything you send somewhere handy - when they phone to discuss it further, you want to be able to find it and have it to hand within just a few seconds.

Best wishes!

Recommended Resources

Fundraising Books - further tips and resources on achieving your fund raising target

Sample application letter - a template for you to use for your own cover letter