Funding Info

Fundraising Basics 

When looking  for funds, be clear about how the project you want to be supported fits into your overall plans. Funders are more likely to fund a project that fits their priorities and is part of plans for your development than a “one off”. It is a good idea to create a “Business Plan” that sets out your immediate and long term plans. 

Planning

An important  part of planning is finding out what factors are likely to affect your  organisation such as new priorities from funders and things that might affect  what you’re doing e.g. local authority regeneration plans or problems with  bored local youth.It is a good idea to find as much information about anything  that is happening the area in which your project will take place and about any general issues connected with the theme of your project, 

Funding Information is available from:

Funding Information North East (FINE) produce regular bulletins,  which subscribers can receive weekly by email, or approximately six-weekly in  paper format. They also produce guides for individuals and groups to grants  available in the North East. For details see FINE or contact them on 0191 477 1253. 

The Charities Information Bureau is an excellent service  providing up-to-date and relevant information for voluntary and community  organisations across Britain. It's services include: the Oddment fuller eBriefing sent ten times a  year; tailored training and consultancy; 'Funding Points' where groups can  access funding information; and a funding enquiry service whereby the Bureau runs searches of the database  on behalf of groups and suggests other relevant sources of funding. Rates  vary and can be found by visiting The Charaties Information Bureau or telephoning 01924 239063.

Councils for Voluntary Service (CVSs) are good first local ports of call. A directory of local CVSs is available from the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Servicesl or on 0114 278 6636. 

The Community Action Network is a mutual learning and  support network for individuals active in their community. It links members  electronically and personally through the regional CAN. See the CAN website or call 0845 456 2537. 

Community Matters is a membership federation which publishes information sheets, 'how-to' guides and a quarterly magazine featuring updates on new funds. It also runs training courses on organisational development and funding. See the Community Matters website for more information. 

Funding for Black and Minority Ethnic voluntary organisations is  the subject of a report sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. It has concluded that funders often don't appreciate  challenges around organisational capacity or their role in capacity-building,  civic engagement and social inclusion of BME communities. Read a summary at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website. 

The Association of Arts Fundraisers and its regular funding information newsletter may well be worth investigating. Further information on 01242 539579 or email them at artsfundraisers@hotmail.com. 

Voluntary Arts Network is a UK-wide development  agency for the voluntary arts sector. Its funding pages can be found via its homepage. 

The Arts Council of England

Fundraising  Materials and Advice 
 

  • Funding information, written materials and training events on fundraising technique are all available from The Directory of Social Chnage Directory of Social Change. 'The Complete Fundraising Handbook' and 'Find the Funds' are widely considered good value and it's well worth ordering their quarterly and free training and publications listings. See the Directory of Social Change website, or order publications and training lists on 08450 77 77 07.
     
  • The Charities Commission booklet CC20 'Charitiesand Fundraising' contains general advice on effective fundraising an explanation of the legal responsibilities in relation to fundraising and information about the tax implications of fundraising. Their booklet CC60 'The Hallmarks of a well run Charity' also includes fundraising advice. The booklets are clearly written and freely available on the Charity Commission website, however if you would prefer a hardcopy version, contact 0870 333 0123.
     
  • The Institute of Fundraising offer a range of resources, including information on tax effective giving and fundraising activities and strategy. They have also produced 'The Good Fundraising Guide', an introduction to fundraising for charities and fundraisers. The comprehensive 64-page guide is aimed at new fundraisers and volunteers and is free to download in pdf format (1.47MB).
  • Funding Neighbourhood Learning - A guide for small voluntary and community groups is a publication available to buy from the The National Institue of Adult Continuing Education. It offers step-by-step advice on planning and writing funding applications as well as preparing longer-term approaches to fundraising. Offering an introduction to the range of policy initiatives that influence the funding of neighbourhood learning, it covers the major statutory sources and key grant-making trusts and includes checklists and advice. 
     
  • A funding guide for community groups has been produced by West Norfolk CVS called 'A Workbook for Workers in Community Groups and Voluntary Organisations'. It includes worksheets, model letters, and templates. It costs £3.60 per hard copy, including postage & packing, or £10 per emailed copy for Funding Advisors/Development Workers who may wish to cut and paste the document for local needs. For more information contact Alan Crawshaw on 01553 760568 or e-mail alan@westnorfolkcvs.co.uk
     
  • The CRN The Charities Resource Network website includes a database of documents given by charity members and commercial supporters of Charity Finance Directors Group. It focuses on Finance, HR and IT functions. While some of the site is for members only, the core material is available to all. See the Charities Resource Network and select ‘documents’ for the type of information held. 
     
  • ACEVO’s Guid to Preparing Successful Funding Applications covers, for a wide audience, the disciplines involved in researching and drafting effective applications to trusts, Lottery and statutory sources. It can now be downloaded from the ACEVO website for £10 for ACEVO members and £12.50 for non-members. 

Action Planning staff, writers of the above ACEVO guide, provide a comprehensive 'hands-on' research and bid-writing service to help charities identify additional potential sources of funding and, where appropriate, to write funding bids on their behalf.  The cost of the service depends on the number of applications that need to be written, whether you want them to identify potential funders or already know those you wish to approach, and whether they need to do substantial work on your 'case for support' to make it sufficiently convincing. For further information contact Caroline Stewart on 020 8642 4122 or email cstewart@actionplanning.co.uk