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You are no doubt reading this page because you have a
project or an idea that needs some money to get it off the ground
or maybe to keep it running.
There are more than 2,000 funding schemes available in Kent to
help support local voluntary and community groups and each will
have its own set of criteria and timescales for applications before
they part with any cash or payment. Finding the right one can be
tricky, so where should you start?
The project
Firstly it is important to define what the funding is needed
for.
Will your project:
- involve construction work (capital costs)?
- provide services (revenue costs)?
- or a mix of both?
Some funders are selective about the type of projects they will
support.
Whatever the type of project it should be properly planned
before looking for a funder. This will enable you to estimate how
much money is likely to be needed. Draw up a list of all the items
that will need to be considered to achieve the aims and objectives
of the project. These should include:
- what do you want to achieve from the project?
- how will the project be undertaken? Include all the resources
needed for the project, for example equipment, staff, premises,
training, partnership and working.
- where will the project take place?
- when would be the best time to undertake the project? Consider
things such as lease renewals, weather condition for any
construction outside and school holidays
- who will be responsible for overseeing the project to ensure it
gets done? Will this be the responsibility of one person or a
co-ordinated team?
- will the project need one or more grants? Money for initial
setting up then more for running costs.
- what will happen to the project if additional funding is needed
or the funding period expires before completion? Consider elements
that might hold the project up such as delays in receiving
equipment or 'red-tape' requirements.
Your project planning should cover every aspect of activities
and tasks needed throughout the project, including the expected
results. Visit
CAF's jargon-buster website (link opens in a
new window) to help you understand the terms commonly used on
applications.
The application form
This may ask:
- what benefit will the project make to the
people/organisation/community?
- how will you know if you have achieved the aims and objectives
of the project? You may need to provide evidence of this if part of
the funding is reliant on outcomes and has been withheld.
Added value
If you see this on an application form it basically means what
additional benefits will your project achieve over and above that
which, if anything, is already in place.
For example :
- A nature reserve may at present only be accessible to people on
foot and not suitable for people with physical disabilities. Your
project aims to improve access for this group including wheelchair
users. This proposed route will also be suitable for young families
with pushchairs and thus encourage another user group to access the
facility, hence Added Value
- A local community hall has only basic toilet and hand washing
facilities and is under utilised. Your project aims to install a
kitchen area to provide facilities to make the hall a more viable
venue for activities such as lunches for pensioners and a
pre-school breakfast club site. Added Value would be that the hall
would now also be suitable to hire for private functions and would
bring in an income for the general maintenance of the
building.
Budgets
We all deal with budgets in our everyday life. How much to spend
on food, the mortgage, the car and if there's any leftover, the
holiday. So it's nothing you haven't done before, you just have to
be sensible and realistic when planning your project.
Look at all the elements the project will involve, for example
equipment, materials, people and timing. Then cost out how much
each element will be, add them together and that's the amount, the
budget you need to find. It would also be wise to consider adding
an additional amount to cover any unforseen costs. For example if
the price of materials goes up you may also want to include a sum
for paying volunteer expenses in your funding bid.
Project management
Funders may require evidence that you can manage your project
and account for the money. Check with your group for anyone who has
experience of this type of work. If applicable, compile a time
schedule for the project listing each element and giving target
deadlines for completion. This will show you have thought things
through and later enable you to keep things moving and to know
exactly what stage the project is at any given time.
Funding
Now, having spent some time on the basics, who has money to give
away? There are so many options out there that we have listed a few
to help you on your way:
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