Understanding Why Funding Applications Succeed (and Fail)

This article has been compiled from material written by Kate Smith (of Goosegrass Culture), for the Rebuilding Heritage training programme, ran by The Heritage Alliance.

Read the original article here.

Understanding the why behind both successful and failed funding applications can be pivotal to securing funds in the future. Here are some common dos and don’ts to be mindful of when looking to secure funding.

Reasons Why Funding Applications Succeed

1. The most fundamental reason: the application is complete and submitted on time, or earlier if possible.
2. Choosing the most appropriate funder for the work.
3. The need for the work, and the organisation’s suitability to address this need, is strongly proven.
4. The application has been thoroughly researched and reflects the funder’s needs and requirements.
5. An amicable working relationship with the funder during the application process: the funder is confident that their money will be in safe hands.
6. The application stands out against the others and the funder can see what the investment will achieve.
7. The budget is realistic and specific, and other or match funding is in place
8. The organisation has good governance, management, admin and financial procedures in place.
9. The applicant has a good track record in delivering funded projects.

Reasons Why Funding Applications Fail

1. Organisations are not eligible (e.g. because of their legal form, lack of charity status, size or income level, geographic area of operation, or other aspects.)
2. Organisations or projects come across as poorly structured/planned.
3. Organisations or projects aren’t represented clearly and concisely on the funding application.
4. The applicant has failed to demonstrate they have read the funder’s criteria and understood their focus.
5. Appropriate processes (e.g. monitoring and evaluation) or policies (safeguarding, diversity) not in place.
6. A problematic budget, and/or unconvincing financial management procedures.
7. Missing deadlines.
8. Forms or proposals that are incomplete or illegible.
9. Problems with supporting documents, which might be missing, incomplete, out of date, or contradict information in the application.
10. Asking for too much or too little money.

Applying for a Grant is Like Applying for a Job

There are many similarities between applying for a job and applying for a grant. Just as you might highlight different aspects of your skillset to different potential employers, you also need to consider where to place emphasis in your quest for grant funding. Mirror what the funder is looking for in what you tell them and how you phrase it.

Do use sentences such as “having read your grant criteria, we believe we meet them in the following ways…” to emphasise the connections between your plans and the funder’s aspirations.

Budget is often the first sift

When deciding what to exclude, funders often look at budget first, asking if what is proposed is a realistic match for the amount asked. You may be passed over for asking for too little as well as for too much, if they believe you can’t adequately deliver on your promises with the sum requested.

The cultural sector has a particular tendency to underestimate the amount of staff time needed to deliver. Increase your chances of success and lay the foundations for a happier project by being realistic on this point.