Grant making trusts and foundations exist (in the USA and UK at least- there are different models in other nations) purely to donate funds to appropriate causes. They are perhaps underrated compared to commercial sponsorship as a funding source. Here are a few starter do’s and don’ts:
- First ask all of your relevant contacts if they or their friends have contact with grant makers. Trusts give to people they know.
- Research the guidelines. Unless you have good reason to know otherwise, don’t make applications to organisations who don’t support your kind of work ( I know that is obvious, but you would be amazed..)
- Unless they specifically forbid it, ring them up to check that your project remains appropriate
Your eventual application should:
- be as short as possible while containing the neccessary details
- be focussed on the problem to be addressed, rather than how marvellous your organisation is
- contain a clear solution ( who, what, where, when, how – and how the outcome will be assessed)
- underline the credibility of your organisation as a vehicle to carry out this work, including its financial and administrative robustness
- be quite clear that you are actually asking for a grant
I can enlarge on the above, further to any specific requests
John Regan
