Subject: How can we get more funding?

How much money did you receive, and how much have you got left?

I can think of two things you could try. First I would have a go at the Big Lottery Fund www.biglotteryfund.org.uk  with their small grants scheme, and at the same time have a go at Lloyds TSB Foundation www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk which prides itself in supporting smaller charities. In fact last year half of it 1200 grants went to organisations spending less than £100k. Have you applied to either of these sources? Or any trust?

I think it would be a good idea to spend some of your last £3.5k paying someone to help you with your application to the Big Lottery (BIG) at least, but ideally Lloyds TSB Foundation as well.

Well, you could point out to them that most applicants to Big Lottery fail before their case is even heard, because they haven’t followed the correct procedures. Get one thing wrong and your application is thrown out.

That happened to us I think - we applied and had a strong case but we were rejected out of hand.

What you really need is a 'Grant writer'. They specialise in writing applications to Trusts and BIG. You can pick a decent one by asking a couple of them to give you a list of 5 or 6 previous clients with their telephone numbers. You can then pick say 2 of their previous clients which are similar to you, and ring them for their opinions.

Well, NCVO has a list of approved consultants covering many topics including fundraising, so you can search through their list. But you can also start closer to home by asking around at your CVS (Council for voluntary Action) and see if they know of any local organisations who have used a grant writer. It's also worth checking with NAVCA, their national umbrella body, or asking your CVS to do so for you. I say that because although it is better for the grant writer to visit, it's not essential – it can be done by phone and email so it doesn't matter if they live miles away.

You should be able to get an average one for £300 per day and a really good one for £400. With a visit they should be able to do 2 applications in 3 days, and without a visit in 2-2.5 days – so between £600 and £1200.

It is, and if you and others have any other ideas for fundraising, let’s discuss them here. But I would say you would still have learned a lot, and enough probably to write subsequent applications on your own, so it is also an investment.

Has anyone else got any fundraising challenges they want to share? I’ll do my best to help and maybe others can chip in with advice based on their experience?

Yes, I've got a fundraising challenge.  We're a small charity giving advice on health issues to the Kurdish community in Enfield.  We've only just set up and we don't where to get any funding.  You mentioned the BLF - do you think they'll help us?

Previously Stella Smith wrote:

Yes, I've got a fundraising challenge.  We're a small charity giving advice on health issues to the Kurdish community in Enfield.  We've only just set up and we don't where to get any funding.  You mentioned the BLF - do you think they'll help us?

Yes, I think they would because the BLF, the Big Lottery Fund, has a policy to t give special consideration to fund  what they call  "hard to reach groups". You may not like that description, but I think you fit this priority.

Hi Stella, don't know if you are still there, but we have now put up an article on KnowHow Nonprofit on how to get money from the National Lottery which should help you. its under the Fundraising section of our site

I agree with tmillar regarding the value of getting an expert grant-making consultant to advise you, because this is such a specialism and having their experience is the most likely way of getting results.

However, I do appreciate that this is quite a sizeable investment - particularly in proportion to the funds you have remaining.

I can recommend an excellent consultant for you to talk to, with an abundance of six figure successes to her name, if you are interested in being put in touch with her.

Generally speaking, I think that you will gain a lot from employing the services of an expert in making these kind of approaches - including having something that you can use as a template for future applications, having a clearly articulated case for support (that you will be able to use, or adapt for, many different types of fundraising ask - to individuals, corporates, trusts and community groups, schools etc.), and a better understanding about the kind of information you need to provide with that to motivate people to give to your cause.

Anyone got any  ideas on how to raise funds for a small, local animal welfare charity?

Hi H2007,

Registering your charity and any projects you may be running on theBigGive.org.uk is a great way to get noticed by the right people.

If you have any problems you can contact me on Twitter - username BigGive.

Anna

You might also like to explore other ways of raising income and there are some really good models for looking at the income spectrum in Cass CCE's latest guide in Tools for Success.  You can downloard the guide for free from their website at   http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/cce/resources/tfs/Revitalise.pdf 

I don't understand why no-one has suggested asking one or more of your volunteers to take on grant applications. It really isn't so difficult that you need professionals - in fact I have been advised in similar forums that it is much better to use volunteers for writing grant applications, you could be at a disadvantage using a paid one with some funders.

There are lots of funds that make grants, local and national ones. Your local Charities Information Bureau (CIB), CVS or similar should be able to tell you about lots of them. Try these:

• TrustFunding.org.uk
• A-Z Grant Making Trusts (loads here to start you off!)
• The DSC (Directory of Social Change) publish big books full of funds, you should be able to see a copy at a library or buy them online.

I raise around 35-40,000 per year by making applications and writing to local businesses, Lions & Rotary clubs etc. It is fairly time consuming but once you have made a few applications it gets easier. I always thank donors quickly, and send reports and updates. My fund raising is for a holiday club for childern with special needs. I have physical disabilities and can't commit to specific 'office hours', or organise events etc - all of my fund raising is done from home, at my own pace, when I am up to it.

My biggest success so far was a lottery grant, 15,000 per year for 2 years. Most of the grants we receive are under £3,000,  I make applications on an ongoing basis -  organisations have varying rules about reapplying etc.

You need to find funders that fit your organisation, they all have different areas of support - some change every few years.

Have you registered with the charity commission?  You are above the income threshold and lots of donors require it.

Good luck. My powered wheelchair was bought by a local charity, and I know loads of disabled people who can't afford the equipment that could improve their lives.