Raising funds through trusts and foundations Cardiff 2018

Some facts and figures Over 8,800 trusts and foundations in the UK Created to give away money – nearly £3b a year Over 70% given to health and social welfare charities. Most trust income comes from endowment, Value each year will depend on financial climate Family: eg Sainsbury’s Corporate: eg Santander Community: Quartet Private: Majority of trusts Some facts and figures

What do you need to know? Type of work funded? National or regional preference? One-off funding and/or repeated funding to the same organisation? Are the grants for revenue and/or capital? What is the total grant making capacity? How much is available and what is the range of grants, by value? How often do trustees meet to allocate grants? Application – letter / application form / online form What do you need to know?

What are trusts looking Innovation Starting new project Established project Value for money Having an impact on project or institution Clear need for funds

What makes a good application A good understanding of the grant-making trust and an application that is tailored to reflect it A strong idea: what to do, why and how to do it People who are able to deliver Clear and succinct communication of that idea Finances of the organisation in order, or with a plan for getting them in order What makes a good application

Creating a Case for Support An Emotional Opening –Use your opening to pack an emotional punch.  Your Mission and Vision – Why does your organization exist?  Why should people care?  What is your big bold vision for the future? History of the Organization – Give a brief summary of the founding of your organization and a short history of its work to date. Explanation of Your work What projects you are currently running.  Give a short explanation of each. Outcomes and Proof of Impact – Show proof that what you are doing.  Use statistics and charts. Tell the stories of those you have helped, through testimonials and case studies Financial Needs – How much money does your organization need to raise?  Why does it need to raise that amount (what will it be used for?)  Why do you need to raise it now? Means of Support – Give your reader different ways to support your efforts. 

Why applications fail No clear outcomes from the project. Unable to prove long term sustainability. No clear evidence of need. Failure to meet the giving criteria of trust. Failed to enclose required documentation, such as annual accounts Not fully answered all of the questions. No evidence of who the beneficiaries are Failed to meet the cut-off date. Ignored information concerning who trust will or will not fund Too many applications received – can’t fund them all

Trust your preparation!! Tell a story - Need and solution Research or Relationships – do you meet trust’s criteria? Can you build relationship with trust? USP – what makes you different, stand out from the crowd? Specifics - what do you need for your project? Budget and clear breakdown of need. Timing – when do applications need to submitted? When is next meeting? Have you done all preparation?

Research tools Websites like Trustfunding.org (subscription) Free sites Annual reports Google searches Charity Commission Opencharities.org

Trust Administration 1 2 3 4 Set up application calendar. Record notes from online and telephone research 2 Record information on database or excel spreadsheet 3 Be aware of application and reporting deadlines. 4

Trust Application Cycle Case for support Research Application Thanking Reporting

A trust funders perspective