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Understanding the funder

increase your chances of success!

At Trust Waikato, we receive about 1000 applications each year. We have limited time to spend on each application if we are to meet our deadline for reporting to the Trust.

When applications arrive we discard any fancy folders. The application details are then logged onto the database. If you haven’t done so, we come up with a phrase which summarises what you are applying for, such as “purchase of safety helmets”.

We then assess the applications and make a recommendation to the Trust. We will recommend that the Trust decline applications received after the closing date, incomplete applications and applications outside the Trust’s policy.

Once the Trust has decided on the donations, we advise you of the decision. This will usually happen within three months of the closing date.

Other funders have different procedures. Some decision-makers receive all the applications, while others decide on the basis of a schedule of applications and staff recommendations. Lottery staff write a comprehensive report for the Committee members, analysing and assessing the application, and commenting on the financial viability of the project and evidence of community need and support.

Funders usually ask these questions:

Does the application make sense? •

Is the group reputable? •

Does the project seem worthwhile? •

How does the number of people to beneft relate to •

the dollars requested?

Is there community support for the project? •

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