Identify all sources of potential funding support

• Funding is available from a variety of sources, government (local, state, national), charitable trusts, corporations and community organizations such as Rotary.
• Assess which funding body is most appropriate to your project.
• Determine if your group/organization and its intended project meets the funding guidelines and criteria.
• Consider a joint project with a like-minded organization. Funding bodies view collaborative projects favourably.

Clearly state the purpose and objectives of your group/organization

• What does your group/organization do?
• How does it operate?
• What services/activities do you offer?
• Who do you provide these services/activities to?
• Where do you provide your services?

Demonstrate why the project is important

• Document the problem as it is now
• Is there supporting literature for your case, such as survey results, reports that identify gaps in services/activities?
• Include your credentials and state why your organization is the most appropriate organization for funding.
• Support your claims by providing Letters of Support from community and industry advocates

Concisely and clearly answer each question on the application form

• In the aim of the project clearly describe what the project will do, and who will benefit from the project.
• In the objectives of the project identify the measurable outcomes of the project. List any tangible products that the project will produce such as a new brochure or a training program, as well as intangible results such as increased self esteem through skill acquisition.
• Describe the project activities (project design) in detail, that is how you propose to implement the project and how it will be coordinated.
• Describe the sequence and flow of the project, present the activities that will be accomplished in the time frame and who will be implementing them.
• Give specific time-frames; discuss any risks and ways to minimize these.
• Describe the planned staffing for the project.
• State who your client population is and the method of client selection being used for the project.
• Outline the cost/benefit ratio of your project.

Identify how you will determine the outcomes of your project

• What is it that people will do differently after the project that they don’t do now?
• Who will evaluate the project?
• What criteria or measures are built into the project to help evaluate its outcomes?
• What records will be kept to record the outcomes?
• How will the success of the project be measured?

Will the project be able to continue at the completion of the funding period?

• Will the activity/service ensure ongoing positive impact beyond the direct funding program?
• Will the project make a lasting difference to the participants and/or the community?
• What is the level of support from the community and stakeholders for the project to continue after the funding period?

Prepare a detailed budget outlining the costs associated with the project.

• Identify what items the funding body will and will not fund.
• A budget may include the costs of staff, equipment, supplies, travel, telephone, printing, postage, venue costs, marketing and promotion, insurance and audit costs.
• Don’t over-estimate the costs. Obtain quotes for equipment.
• Include in-kind donations that your organization can provide to the project such as office space or a venue for training or an administration assistant for 3 hours per week.

Attachments can help authenticate your organization’s services and its credibility within the community

• Auditor’s reports/statements
• Organizational material such as brochures
• Information on key personnel/board members
• Letters of recommendation and endorsement
• Architect drawings

If you are successful in receiving a grant, you will be required to sign a contract and submit progress reports to the funding body.

• Once you receive a grant, acknowledge it by letter.
• If you were not successful, find out why by asking for feedback from the funding body.
• Publicise the funding received on your website & if possible through local media stories in newspapers, on radio or in a newsletter.
• At appropriate stages of the project acknowledge the source of funding.