Step one – make a list of what you need, how much it will cost and when you need the funding. This will help you choose from different funding options. By working through your list in priority order you can try to avoid being led by what money is available rather than what your organisation is aiming to do.

Discuss with other members of your organisation:

• What do you need and what are the different types of costs? Overheads or core costs are the costs that you always need to keep your group going e.g. rent, heat, light. Project costs are the costs that you only need for a particular project e.g. sessional workers, room hire or equipment. Capital costs are expensive items of equipment, refurbishment, vehicles or buildings.
• How much funding do you want, and what’s the minimum that you need?
• When do you need the funding?

Now you’ve got a plan it’s time to search for funding.

Search organisation funding

• A charity called “Charity Excellence” runs a free funding search website.
• Search for a UK government grant. Usually larger amounts and not suitable for start-ups and small local projects.
• Search for a Bradford Council grant or take a look at Bradford Council’s community grants.
• Sign up to Community Action’s Briefing Bradford newsletter to get the latest local funding news.
• Look at Community Action’s list of funding and grants for organisations.

Your funding options will change depending on which legal structure the organisation has.

If you’re trying to decide whether or not to set up the organisation as a Community Interest Company or charity, you can search for funding, each time choosing a different legal status and see what your results are. There are fewer grant funding options for Community Interest Companies because it is a legal structure designed to enable trading as part of social enterprise.

Grant application top tips

Grant applications are a competition. Don’t be put off if your bid is unsuccessful. Most grant funders have a success rate of less than 50%. Unsuccessful bids are a normal part of fundraising, try to have a plan B.

• Plan first, then apply – don’t plan your project at the last minute as you fill in a grant application form!
• Read the guidance – this is essential, even if you’ve applied to the same funder before. The guidance notes may change for each round.
• Be specific – swap phrases like “help the community” for something more detailed such as “help young people aged 16 to 21 in Saltaire”.
• Be really specific – the funder doesn’t know anything about your project or organisation so state the obvious. Replace words like “various, several, and many” and with numbers or facts.
• Check that you’ve answered every part of the question. E.g. “Where and when will your activity take place?” is two questions.
• Check the budget adds up – this is a really common mistake!
• Feedback – get somebody not connected to the project to read the application. Do they understand what you want to do and how?

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply to more than one funder for the same thing?

Yes.

If you do this, and find you are successful with more than one funder then the organisation should consider if it has the time and financial skills to manage the extra funding, including monitoring commitments. Ask yourself: Will the extra funding really benefit the project? Then ask the funder: Can we use the extra funding to expand the same project or fund a different project?

Don’t be surprised if the grant funder says no, it is not possible to use the funding for something else and don’t be tempted to accept both offers of funding and just see what happens – double funding a project is viewed as serious financial mismanagement and possibly even fraud. It can damage the track record and reputation of your organisation that will affect future funding. On the other hand, not taking up an offer because you’ve got grant funding elsewhere will be good news to the funder you turn down. They’re always oversubscribed!

How long does it take to get grant funding?

All grant funders take different amounts of time to make a decision. As a rough guide: for small grants (up to £10,000) apply at least 3 months before you need the funding, for medium or large grants (£10,000 and above) apply at least 6 months (preferably 9 months) before you need the funding.

Grants are not a quick way to get funding unfortunately. If you can’t wait at least 3 months to get a decision from a grant funder, look at alternatives such as charging, fundraising events, asking for donations or using your organisation’s reserves.

Next step! See a list of funding and grant opportunities

How Community Action can help

Need to talk through your options? If the community organisation is in Bradford district UK (including Shipley, Ilkley, Bingley and Keighley), Community Action can help.

Make an appointment to talk to one of our development officers or book a place on the next fundraising training course. For organisations with an annual income under £100,000 advice and getting started training courses are free of charge.

Can you write a funding bid for me? No. Community Action does not write funding applications for organisations and we cannot recommend consultants. The Chartered Institute of Fundraising has a directory of consultants.

Funding training – next dates

Looking for funding for a private business or person in need?

Sorry, Community Action doesn’t provide advice to private businesses, sole traders or individuals in need:

• Private businesses in Bradford district can use the business funding search provided by Invest in Bradford.
• People in need can use the Turn2Us grants search.