Securing Grant Funding & Diversifying Income Source

The training day can be held at your venue or ours and dates can be flexible around your needs.

With increased competition for grants and funding, organisations from the public, academic and third sectors are under increasing pressure to secure funding at a time when public sector cuts are widespread. These difficulties have necessitated a more robust approach to fundraising to help ensure that needs of beneficiaries continue to be met. During an economic downturn, it is likely that needs of target groups will become more intense and the number of funding applications to grant making bodies will continue to rise. This workshop will provide delegates with information and knowledge that assures their thinking is up to date and competitive.

In addition to providing delegates with an overview of the bidding process, this workshop will include advanced thinking strategies to help your applications improve and stand out. The session is delivered though a combination of presentation, exercises, discussion, questions and answers.

Price: £385.00 for the first delegate

Delegate Discounts:

A discount is available for 2 or more people:

2+ £345.00 per person

3+ £300.00 per person

Who should attend?

This workshop is suitable for delegates from across the public, voluntary and academic sectors who are responsible for securing funding opportunities.

Timings: 9.00am coffee, 9.30am start, 4.00pm finish.

Introduction

The workshop programme includes:

• The current climate for funding
• The planning process
• The elements of sustainability
• Auditing current activities
• Seeking new forms of support and income generation
• Assessing viability and risk
• Costing projects, services and activities
• Developing the case for support
• Styles and methods of approach
• Developing successful bids
• Monitoring and evaluating
• Long term strategy

By the end of the workshop participants should be better able and inspired to:

• Compete successfully in an oversubscribed environment
• Ensure a sustainable approach to generating funds for their organisation
• Have a clearer idea about what is needed to make their applications stand out
• Involve others constructively in the process and maximise on their skills
• Provide added value to their organisations

Detailed Breakdown of the Programme

How much Funding is there?

• Sources of funding- how much is out there?
• Fundraising in the recession and economic downturn- how are we affected?
• Global, European, Government, local authorities, lottery funds, non-governmental bodies
• Identifying and accessing funding sources that are right for your organisation/project
• Community Consultation
• Know your funders
• Relationship building

GROUP SESSION 1- PREPARE A FUNDRAISING STRATEGY/PLAN

Fundamental bid writing essentials:

• Fundraising for NGO’s, non profits, schools, colleges, social enterprises and universities
• Different approaches for Trusts/Foundations, Government Funding, Individuals
• Understanding the funder and its requirements- LOOK AT IT FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE
• 10 step plan to making your funding bid effective
• Social Return on Investment
• Full cost recovery

Group Session 2- BARRIERS FACING YOUR SUCCESS SO FAR

Essential elements of a successful bid submission:

• The project idea- make it stand out
• Planning and presenting the budget
• Getting the finances right
• Project planning and milestones
• Project planning and control
• Reporting mechanisms
• Risk assessment
• Contingencies Planning
• Do I need a business plan
• OUTCOMES and how to write them

GROUP SESSION 3- PREPARE AN OUTLINE BUSINESS PLAN- PRIOR TO LUNCH

Your business Plan- why is it important and elements to consider.

Effective fundraising websites

Latest trends in fundraising

GOOGLE INSIGHTS AND FUNDING STRATEGY

• How to stand out from the crowd
• Online strategy
• PR
• Stakeholder support
• What helps fundraisers make a decision

GROUP SESSION 4- It’s decision time- You as the Funding Board

Delivering the Project

• Funding is the beginning, not the end. What to do next.
• Why is a project evaluation so important?

How to secure repeat funding

• How to manage vital relationships

Reporting systems

• Delivering and measuring outputs
• Developing a track record of delivery

Examples of UK and International Funding databases:

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