What are you raising funds for?

You have to decide specifically what you want to raise money for. It could be more than one thing. Just asking for core costs could be problematic for most funders, so you need to tie it in with service delivery. This may include new projects.

You will need a very basic project outline and budget for each idea. The basic, who, what, why, when and how much?

Remember to give yourself plenty of time, it can take a while for you to get a reply.

Information you will need

You will almost certainly need the following to make a bid. If you are doing multiple bids then it may help to have this information in a document so you can cut and paste it into applications.

• Contact details, name, email, telephone and position of person to contact.
• Copy of the organisation’s constitution/ other governing document and accounts.
• A list of which funders your organisation has already applied to and when in the last few years because some (not all) grant funders make you wait an amount of time before reapplying.
• Charity registration number (date registered)
• Company house number (date registered)
• Website address, social media pages (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn)
• Date the organisation started
• Registered address

The organisation’s legal structure will effect what funders you can apply for. Information will be available on any potential funder’s website. For example, some funders may only support registered charities.

To apply for funding you will need a minimum of a simple constitution for your group, otherwise you may be considered as an individual and therefore rarely eligible for funding. If you don’t want to be part of a community organisation with a committee that makes decisions together see alternatives to setting up an organisation.

Just starting up?

If you are starting a community group there is other work such as writing policies that needs to happen before applying for funding. See “What do I need to set up a community group that can apply for grant funding?” and funding a new group.

Questions you are likely to be asked

• Who are you? A bit of history and achievements
• What do you do and what services do you offer?
• Why do you do it, why is it needed?
• What are you applying for? Specifics of what the money will be used for.
• Why is this project needed?
• How much will it cost? Include a basic budget breakdown.
• How will you monitor the work? E.g. attendance numbers and feedback from users of the service. This will depend on what information any funder wants as part of a funding agreement.

Answers to questions you are likely to be asked

Word limits are often applied (400 to 700 words as a guide). You may need to trim or expand your answer but you have the basic points you want to make. The more money you ask for, the more complex the application procedure usually is.

Try and have a story telling or narrative style, don’t just list facts. Use straightforward language.

Deciding on possible funders

Look at different factors for funders.

• That have a priority for the type of funding you need
• You are eligible for their funding
• That cover the geographic area you are in
• How much is a sensible amount to ask for?
• Is there a quick turnover for the decision?
• Is it a simple application process?

All of this information should be easily available on their website and be the basis for who you apply to.

Check your applications carefully. Asking someone else to check it is often a good idea.

Next step! Getting grant funding

Next step! See a list of funding and grants for organisations

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.

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.