Since the re-launch of the Foundation in January what have been the biggest differences that you have noticed in the applications that you’ve received so far?
The most obvious difference has been the substantial increase in the number of applications that we receive. In February we received over 120 applications on one day but thankfully this has come down to a more manageable average of around 50 applications a day. I think that this has been due to the introduction of revenue funding and having our own website.
The other main change has been the significant increase in the quality of applications that we receive. The introduction of a cover sheet has helped to prompt applicants to remember the key pieces of information that we need. In the past a third of all applicants didn’t tell us how much they were asking for and another third neglected to tell us what they were asking us to fund. Now we can see all this information on one sheet and concentrate on reading the letter of application for the other details.
With such a high volume of applications you must have to turn down a lot of very good charities. How do you make your decisions?
Yes, and I think that given the current pressure on funding that this situation is unlikely to improve. The successful applications are the ones that clearly address each of the points that we have set out in the section “How to Apply”.
The applications that are most likely to succeed are the ones which rather than simply assert that “there is a need for this project” show me evidence of how they know that there is a need because they have consulted their service users or clients. All funders give a donation in order to change things for the better and it is the applications that convince me of the long term difference that our funding will achieve, backed up with some evidence, that succeed. Whereas applications that use phrases such as “we hope” or “believe that we will achieve” without providing some evidence to back up these aspirations are the ones that fail.
Applications for revenue costs need to share their funding strategy with us because we know that it can take at least 9 months to secure replacement funding. Judging whether these projects are likely to pick up future funding strongly influences our decision to fund.
Are there any common mistakes that applicants can avoid?
- don’t make assumptions
- don’t use jargon
- get someone else to read it – they are sure to spot any mistakes or anything that may not be clear
- check that you’ve signed the application and enclosed everything (such as a simple budget or a self addressed postcard if you want us to acknowledge safe receipt)
- check that you have used the correct postage (nearly everyday we receive a large envelope with the insufficient postage)