Grants Workshop

About EECF EECF administer a variety of grant programmes to support community groups in TH, Hackney and Newham, including EECF Standard Grants, Hackney Giving and IQL Community Fund EECF supports local organisations to deliver programmes that: Increase employability Raise educational achievement Improve community wellbeing and social cohesion Grants range from £200 to £20,000 Approximately £700,000 available in grants each year

EECF Grants Process Check website and read guidelines Call Grants Team to discuss proposal Complete application form and submit supporting documents Application considered by Donor Panel/Grants Committee and approved by Board of Trustees Notification of outcome (10 weeks after application deadline)

Key Application Points What you want to do How you will do it Why you want to do it (the need) When you will do it Where you will do it Who will benefit (including how many) What it will cost What difference will it make (the outcome) How you will know

What are we looking for? Eligibility Project Plan Need Robustness and capability Outcomes

Eligibility Does your organisation meet with the essential criteria? e.g. not-for-profit, formally constituted, connected with meeting local needs, bank account set up, relevant policies in place Does the project fit with the guidelines of the grant programme? Does the main aim of the project fit with the grant programme aim?

Project Plan Is the project well planned and understandable? Is it costed effectively and correctly? Is the plan achievable and realistic given the timescale/budget/resources? Is the project plan a good and effective response to the identified need?

Need How have you identified a need for your activities? What issue are you seeking to address and how do you know this is an issue in your area? How have you identified this? Community consultation, feedback, demand, research, statistics How have you identified a gap in provision? Have you involved the local community and/or participants in the development of the proposed activities?

Robustness and Capability Does the organisation have the resources and experience to successfully deliver the project outcomes? Is the organisation well structured? Do they have an appropriate management structure? What experience does their staff have? Can they demonstrate effective financial management? Does the organisation have a previous track record of delivering successful projects? What has been the outcomes of previous projects Does the organisation have experience of supporting participants with the needs identified?

Outcomes Will the work make a difference and what will the outcomes be? e.g. people have improved their employment skills, gained a qualification or reduced their isolation How will you know what difference the project will make? How will you monitor and record the outputs and outcomes of the project? How will you know the outcomes have been achieved? Does the organisation have a clear plan for monitoring and evaluating the project?

Top Tips Clearly explain the basics – what, when, how, why, where, who? Utilise support – talk to local CVS (Council for Voluntary Services), CES (Charities Evaluation Services), call the EECF Grants Team Focus on one main aim of your activities – make sure this is in line with the aims of the grant programme Have clear outcomes – how will you measure and tell EECF about what your project has achieved?

Things to consider EECF Grant Programmes are hugely oversubscribed Around 70% of applications are unsuccessful due to budget restrictions Consider whether EECF is the right funder for you - don’t make your project fit the guidelines if it doesn’t

Next application deadline is 12 noon, 1st August 2016 Contact the Grants Team on grants@eastendcf.org or 020 7345 4444 www.eastendcf.org