1. Today’s aims: Improve your funding success rate Enhance the readability & relevance of your applications Led by: Sue Scott Grant funding applications

2. © Idox plc 2013 2 Grant funding applications Improve your funding success rate - Techniques to enhance the readability & relevance of your grant applications

3. © Idox plc 2013 3 Workshop outline >Readability & style >Understanding funder motivations >Proving need & demand >Describing outcomes & benefits >Your questions

4. © Idox plc 2013 4 Key principles of successful bid writing >Effective communication - reflect the funder’s values >Focus on the customer’s need >Sell the benefits and outcomes >Describe your solution with conviction >Provide evidence of delivery capability

5. © Idox plc 2013 5 Effective communication – writing styles Readability Active voice Headlines Electronic bidding

6. © Idox plc 2013 6 Your writing style >Make every sentence count “The application submitted is too muddled” >Do you need to use jargon? >Avoid long words or sentences >Concise is nice, brief is better “Be clear and straight to the point about what the funding is actually for…”

7. © Idox plc 2013 7 Readability tests >Two examples…

8. © Idox plc 2013 8 Active voice >Sentences in the active voice are shorter, clearer and more direct. >They can also convey more enthusiasm and passion… ‘We will fight them on the beaches’

9. © Idox plc 2013 9 Passive voice >Sentences using passive verbs tend to be flat and lacking interest >They add words, making a sentence long-winded ‘The enemy will be engaged by us on the beaches’ ‘The Council instructed the clerk to write to the County Council requesting……’

10. © Idox plc 2013 10 A helpful tool…

11. © Idox plc 2013 11 Tips on layout >Use structured headings to grab the reader’s attention & keep them interested: ‘Measuring success’ >Use white space - around your headings it gives them attention >AVOID USING ALL UPPER CASE AND UNDERLINING >Use captions to sell your message

12. © Idox plc 2013 12 Tots to teens – having fun and keeping active

13. © Idox plc 2013 13 E-bids >Doing not reading! >Need dynamic style with fewer words >Need lots of hooks >Front-loaded headings >Bullet points >Shorter sentences and paragraphs

14. © Idox plc 2013 14 Effective writing – elementary rules >Never use a long word where a short one will do >If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out >Never use the passive where you can use the active >Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent >Never use a metaphor, simile or figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print George Orwell, ‘Why I Write’, Penguin Books 2004, first published 1946

15. © Idox plc 2013 15 Any questions?

16. © Idox plc 2013 16 2. Funder motivations…

17. © Idox plc 2013 17 Understanding funder motivations >Fund guidelines >Published material – Google! >Personal contacts >Events >‘call to discuss the application first’ Person-to-person discussion

18. © Idox plc 2013 18 Reflecting funder values

19. © Idox plc 2013 19 Show your project’s most relevant side >Frontloaded funder benefit statements... “Tots to teens will gain improved health, fitness & social interaction while enjoying the play space” “Young people at risk of offending will have access to recreational facilities such as cookery classes and music workshops.”

20. © Idox plc 2013 20 Bring the project alive… >A catchy name, eg Teen Cuisine >Service user testimonials >Photographs >Infograms – Information is Beautiful

21. © Idox plc 2013 21 3. Proving need and demand

22. © Idox plc 2013 22 Be persuasive >What’s the Need or Problem? >What’s your Solution? >Is this solution wanted? >Show plenty of evidence of need, ie. “Community fundraising has already started”.

23. © Idox plc 2013 23 Evidence for need >Parish surveys >Parish Plan >Neighbourhood Plan >District & County Council strategies >National government policies

24. © Idox plc 2013 24 Evidence of demand >Consultation, Consultation, Consultation

25. © Idox plc 2013 25 Evidence of demand >Your top tips…

26. © Idox plc 2013 26 Consultations… Coffee and cake or surveys and social media…

27. © Idox plc 2013 27 4. Outcomes and Impacts…

28. © Idox plc 2013 28 Answering the question correctly Inputs = resources you put into your project (eg staff time, funding, venues) Outputs = activities or products (eg promotional leaflets, play space) Outcomes = about change (eg improved confidence; new community groups & leaders) Impact = the outcomes and long term effects (eg community ownership & management of a building)

29. © Idox plc 2013 29 Outcomes…

30. © Idox plc 2013 30 Building skills & confidence to run community events…

31. © Idox plc 2013 31 A fresh pair of eyes Your critical friend will be able to spot: Assumptions about knowledge Areas not described well

32. © Idox plc 2013 32 5. Questions and Answers

33. © Idox plc 2013 33 What next? Funding for Beginners Courses: >3 April – Saunderton, Buckinghamshire >5 June – New Ollerton, Nottinghamshire >6 August – Cirencester, Gloucestershire >19 August – Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

34. Thank you!