Copy of the first page of the guide we hope to finalise as a contribution to  this workshop.

We could do with some more help on this ideally - so to find out more (no obligation) please let Peter know.

*************************************************

steps towards …. Finding foundations and grants - Mini guide to helpful info’s

Scene setting – players  (wip – not for general publication)

Whilst there are numerous Charities that need grants there are also many Foundations/Trusts

 that have grants available for a variety of different causes and at various times. There are also many ‘hubs’ – information sources - that to a greater or lesser extent organise the available grants into categories so as to aid finding the needles in the haystack. Some of these hubs have a range of free services and others some to pay for.

Information sources like Community First, produce sector-specific newsletters which can highlight new grants and offer guidance on application processes.; or help writing enticing applications.

Nonetheless many charities mention their frustration in finding a grant where they meet the funders’ criteria and timescales - this guide aims to be of help.

Networking with other charities and workshops etc. and generally sharing experience may also uncover helpful information and tips on successful grant applications. Helping charities select suitable grant sources may improve their success rate (typically 1 in 6 or 7) hence saving valuable time on tasks which are often regarded “as not proper work”. This also helps funders/grant providers spending time assessing applications which are badly targeted.

Actions

Grant getting is a competitive process and we aim to help Scarborough and North Yorkshire access their share of available funds. On some occasions careful collaboration and co-operation between charities locally (? does this happen often enough? At all?) may help achieve this.

This guide lists some many of the hubs providing services including fund listings and selection tools like search and keywords filtering i.e. targeting specific grants within these lists.

The workshop approach (with Community First and CaVCA) -could embrace the (usual) three main steps involved. This guide addresses the first step:

• • Finding suitable foundations/grants. (this guide) Information sources. Fund lists. Filters. Keywords
  • Feedback from Charities and sharing experience
  • Collaboration rather than competition (Shared resource? Avoid bidding for same grant??)
• Understanding the foundations/trusts viewpoint
  • Talks and Q & A from/with selected foundations
  • Shared experience selected charities
• Submitting enticing grant applications. AI?? Or AI⁺⁺
  • Does it fit the funders objectives and criteria (external checks?)
  • Experience of some local charities Need v Want?!
  • Support from hubs (e.g. Community First)

2 Hubs list – follows

Over a dozen hubs are listed overleaf with (often) a brief snapshot of what they offer. In some cases we will record the outcome (& process) of generating a list of grant givers for:

1. Replacing a vehicle.  (E.G from Community First data in the Appendix : “Vehicle purchase” [superficially] is an eligible cost for 68 funders)
2. Refurbishing a village hall                                                 3)  Core costs