How to Write a Charity Grant Funding Bid

How to Write a Successful Grant Funding Bid Application

To write a successful charity grant funding bid application, it must do 2 things.

Firstly, it must be emotionally engaging and.
Secondly, it must make the case for support.
- Specifically, it must present that facts, figures and argument to demonstrate that the funding is needed, urgent and will be used well to maximise the impact it will have.

How to Write a Charity Grant Funding Bid That Will Emotionally Engage the Funder

Succinct. That is, the bid is briefly and clearly expressed, and will be understood by those reading it. Grant makers receive lots of grant applications and are often volunteers. A long funding bid is less likely to be read as thoroughly and the key points more difficult to pick up.
Compelling – include data and arguments that very clearly make the case.
Urgent – there is huge need across the sector and a funding bid for work that isn’t essential now may well not be considered a priority.
Emotionally Engaging – people give because they want to help others, so don’t simply rely on facts and data. Tell your fundraising story in a human way.
- Keep it jargon free and any acronyms should either be in common use or have been explained.
  - Jargon - professional terminology or slang expression that not everyone will understand.
  - Acronym - an abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word - BBC.

What to Include in a Charity Grant Funding Bid to Make The Case for Support

What the Funder Has Asked For

Funding Bid Eligibility	Examples & Ideas to Include in Your Bid
We are eligible to apply and our bid meets all of the funder's requirements.	Funders may specify deadlines, word counts, specific information or data they require (such as accounts). Make sure you are eligible and comply with their requirements?
We have identified and responded to any of the funder's priorities.	Funders may prioritise certain groups or activities. For example, disadvantaged or maginalised people, or projects that are self sustaining or may be looking for innovation and new thinking. If your project falls within their priorities, include that in your bid.

About Your Project/Activity

Our bid includes the information, facts and/or figures, to make the case for funding, explains why we are best placed to deliver the project, and conveys the urgency of the need and the difference the project will make.

Charity Funding Bid Questions	Examples & Ideas to Include in Your Bid
Why is your charitable project/activity needed?	It's not about what you want, but what the funder wants and what your beneficiaries need. What is the unmet need you will address? You can use Data Finder to source facts and information to support this.
What makes funding your project so urgent and/or important?	There is huge competition for grant funding - what makes your project particularly urgent and/or important?
What makes funding your project so urgent and/or important?	If there has been any recent media coverage, or research reports that make this issue topical or bring out its importance/urgency, you might reference these.
Tell me about any key dates and, if applicable, how long it will last.	Include any key dates, bearing in mind that many funders meet quarterly, or even annually.
Describe what your project will involve, how it will be delivered, where and/or by whom, including any partners.	Funders want to see that you have a practical deliverable plan that will address the need they fund, so give them the information needed to show that you do.
Outcomes are the difference your project will make – list these, including who will benefit, the numbers and how big an impact this will have on them.	Funders want to make a difference, so show them that your project will. How many will benefit and how big an impact will this have on their lives? Here's our impact/outcomes resource for more advice.
Will there be other benefits, such as impact on the wider community, helping you make the activity sustainable, or creating best practice that will be shared?	Your project may have wider, or long term impact as well. For example, reducing anti-social behaviour in the local community or making a change in someone's life that will impact them for the rest of their lives.
How will you know/measure that you project has been a success and how will you report that to the funder?	That might be the numbers who benefit and/or feedback surveys, or some other measure of the change you will have made. Funders like to hear about the impact they have, so will you produce a report, or write to them? And will you recognise their support by including that on marketing materials, website or report or inviting them to your event?

Funding Bid Writing - The Grant Funding You Need

Funding Bid Question	Examples & Ideas to Include in Your Bid
What amount of funding are you requesting? If it’s only some of the funding you need, write ‘A contribution of…’	We are seeking grant funding of £3000, or a contribution of £500 towards the total cost of £3000. If you've already secured some income, you might want to mention that to show others think your project is worth funding.
Provide a simple breakdown of what you will spend this funding on and the amount for each item.	Funders want to know what they will be paying for and that your budget is reasonable. Include the main headings and amounts for each.

The Finishing Touches To Make It A Really Good Funding Bid

AI Bid Writing Questions	Examples & Ideas to Include in Your Bid
Is there anything else that will make your funding bid really compelling?	Have you won an award, achieved accreditation for an activity, work to a quality framework or hold a quality mark that helps to demonstrate the quality of your work?
	What about facts/data on previous activities/years that shows just how effective you are?
	Or perhaps that demand for your services has increased significantly or you have had really positive feedback.
Including a relevant quote can help to engage the funder and demonstrate the impact you have - include the name of the person or ‘anonymous’.	People give to people. Do you have any quotes that show the impact you have on their lives? Maybe, something like, Josh, who attended last year's event, said "It was absolutely brilliant and I made lots of new friends".

Questions and Answers (Q&A)

Q - what makes a grant funding bid really successful? A - it must do 2 things. Firstly, it must be emotionally engaging and, secondly, it must present that facts, figures and argument to demonstrate that the funding is needed and will be used well to maximise the impact it will have.
Q - what should we include to make the best possible case for support for a funding bid? A - it must demonstrate that there is real unmet need, how the project will address that need, the impact it will have, the financial costs, and why doing so is urgent and why the charity is best placed to do deliver this.

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