I thought this would be worth sharing with any local organisations, charities or volunteer groups who are working hard on funding bids and want to give themselves the best possible chance of success.
________________________________________
1. Start With a Strong Case for Support.
Funders need to understand: -
What problem you are solving.
Who benefits.
Why it matters right now.
What would happen if your project didn’t go ahead.
A clear case for support helps funders feel confident that your work is needed, timely and impactful.
Tip: -
Try to explain your need in plain language. Avoid jargon. Imagine you’re explaining it to a neighbour who has never heard of your organisation.
________________________________________
2. Show the Difference Your Work Makes.
Funders want to invest in outcomes, not just activity.
Make sure you can clearly answer: -
• What changes will your project create?
• How will people’s lives be improved?
• How will you measure success?
• What real examples or feedback already show your impact?Concrete evidence — even simple quotes, numbers or local stories — helps enormously.
________________________________________
3. Describe Your Community Clearly.
Show that you understand: -
• The needs of your local area.
• Who you work with.
• Why your organisation is trusted.
• Any gaps your project fills that others don’t.
Funders value community-rooted projects that demonstrate strong local insight.
________________________________________
4. Be Practical and Specific About Delivery.
Funders want to see that your plan is achievable.Include: -
Who will deliver the work What partners or volunteers are involved
Where the project will operate.
What resources and skills you already have.
A realistic timeline.
Being specific shows you are ready to deliver.
_______________________________________
5. Create a Clear, Honest Budget.
A strong budget is essential.
Make sure your costs are: -
• Sensible.
• Transparent.
• Clearly linked to your activities.
• Consistent with your timeline.
• Neither overly ambitious nor unrealistic.
If you need salary support, volunteer expenses, room hire, transport or equipment — say so. Funders prefer honesty over under-costing.
________________________________________
6. Make Drafting Easier: -
Build a “Bid Toolkit”
To save time on future applications, create a simple document containing: -
• Your mission statement.
• A 150-word overview of what you do.
• Key statistics• Case studies or testimonials.
• Your safeguarding statement.
• Standard policies funders often request.
• Your latest annual report or summary.
• Budget templates.
• Optional: one-page “impact summary”.
Once you build this toolkit, drafting future bids becomes faster, more effective, and less stressful.
________________________________________
7. Match Your Project to the Right Funder. Even the best-written bid can fail if it doesn’t match the funder’s priorities.
Before applying, check: -
What they fund.
Who they fund.
What themes they focus on.
Grant size limits.
Timescales Application requirements.
Applying only to relevant opportunities dramatically improves success rates.
________________________________________
8. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Advice. Many funders — and platforms like Get Grants, Charity Excellence, and local funding networks — offer: -
• Free webinars.
• Application tips.
• Examples of good practice.
• Peer support from other groups.
A short conversation or email can clarify funder expectations and save enormous time.
________________________________________
Final Thought: -
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect — Just Clear, Honest and Relevant. Funders genuinely want to support good projects that make a difference. By building a clear case for support, matching the right opportunity, and preparing a simple toolkit, your organisation can significantly increase its chances of success.
Watch the video...https://youtu.be/Xp861vdQOy8?si=5JHTcy4cwpRt56ZB
Cllr. Michael Thomas
07852174186
