Fit For Funding

1
Fit For Funding

• Lydia Billson
• Inter-Link Development Officer
• East Cornwall Council for Voluntary Service
• 01208 75799
• Jean Berris
• Funding Officer
• West Cornwall Together
• 01209 614903

2
Putting Your House in Order

• Constitution adopted and signed at an Annual
  General Meeting (AGM).
• Committee all present and correct?
• Bank Account in groups name with multiple
  signatures required.
• Last Years Accounts audited and signed.

3
What do I need before I start to fill in a form ?

• Clear statement of what the project is.
• Support from other agencies and elected
  representatives within the community.
• Knowledge skills to deliver the project.
• Evidence of community support.
• Evidence of money you have raised yourselves.

4
What do I need before I Start to fill in the form

• A referee.
• Budget.
• Three quotes.
• A clear understanding of Sustainability
• Economic.
• Social.
• Environmental.

5
Other Considerations

• Do you own the land or have legal agreement if
  necessary?
• Do you need planning permission?
• Do you need listed building consent?
• Have you considered appropriate insurances?
• Have you got technical drawings?
• Have you consulted with relevant statutory
  bodies?
• Are there any environmental considerations?
• Are you the best placed group to act as an
  accountable body?

6
Does your project show

• Community support?
• Consultation?
• Links to local strategies and plans?
• How it links with other projects in the area?
• What you want your project to achieve?
• Who will benefit from your project?
• How long will it take?

7
What Next?

• If funding is needed you will need to check the
  funding criteria to see whether your project fits
  that particular funders remit.
• Dont change your project to fit the funders
  criteria find the appropriate funder for your
  particular project.
• Write a business plan / project development plan
  for your project.
• Check the information you need for any funding
  bid obtain at least three quotes for any work
  to be carried out, or any purchases to be made.

8
Completing the application form

• Everybody hates filling in forms!
• Read the guidance notes at least twice.
• Take a copy of the form and do a practice run.
• Do not loose focus on what your project is.
• Get someone who doesnt know your project to read
  the draft form to ensure that it is clear.
• Leave yourself time before a deadline to gather
  all the documents and information you need.
• Always take a copy of what you submit.
• Ensure that the contact you give is someone who
  can be easily contacted and knows the project
  well.

9
Examples of good and bad funding applications

• Group Activity

10
Help is Available

• Seek help and advice from agencies such as-
• East Cornwall Council for Voluntary Service.
• West Cornwall Community Network.
• Cornwall Rural Community Council.
• And of course your local District Council
  (Community Regeneration Teams).
• Talk to grant officers for the Grant Funds you
  want to apply to.
• Remember your management committee!
• Dont struggle on by yourself there is help out
  there FREE HELP.

11
Experience, Experience, Experience

• Start with a small project first. A history of
  your group successfully delivering projects can
  help your credibility with larger funded
  projects, and help boost your confidence in
  applying for funding.
• Training/Skills isnt always about a structured
  formal approach. Short information seminars can
  really help to boost what you already know.
• Forums and the Cornwall Inter-Link are places
  where you can meet like minded people and share
  ideas, experiences and resources.
• Talk to people like me, its our role at ECCVS to
  help support community groups achieve their
  goals.

12
What to do before you send the application

• Check eligibility.
• Read the guidelines.
• Answer the questions (N/A those that dont
  apply).
• Include information as requested only.
• Remember they will know nothing about your
  project.
• Be precise.
• Ensure it is clear to read.
• Make sure you get your point across.
• Get someone else to read the application.
• Correct postage!

13
Finally Stand out from the Crowd!!

• Leave a lasting impression on the funders.
• Be Honest.
• Show the REAL side.
• From the Heart.

14
Ten tips for grant getting!

• Group exercise
• What do you think the ten tips for
• grant getting are?

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How do I find out about grants?

• Research you can do.
• GRANTNET on Local Authority website.
• Internet search/contacting similar groups.
• Information you can receive.
• Signpost.
• Cornwall Inter-link magazine.
• Money Matters.
• Joining a support group for community groups.
• Cornwall Inter-link.
• Local Area Forum.
• Direct contact with specialist staff.
• East Cornwall Councils for Voluntary Service
  (ECCVS).
• West Cornwall Community Network (WCCN).
• Cornwall Rural Community Council (CRCC).
• Local Authorities.

16
THANK YOU

• Any Questions?
• Handouts