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If you are turned down

Due to heavy pressure on funds, you may be turned down, or receive less than you asked for. If you are unsuccessful, contact the funder and pleasantly ask for feedback. Did you meet the criteria? Is there anything you could improve on? Is it worthwhile applying again? If you are consistently turned down, there’s a reason.

The funder and you

It helps to build a relationship with your funders. The more they know about you, the easier it will be to explain future projects. If you are unsure whether your project fits the funder’s criteria, check before applying. This is an opportunity to impress the funder with your enthusiasm, competence and the need for the project.

In general, trusts discourage lobbying of trustees but this does not preclude you inviting trustees to visit or to special occasions. It is harder for funders to decline an application where they have talked to the people involved.

Funders do not expect or require a thank you letter when the grant is received. But they expect to be acknowledged in annual accounts and thanked in the annual report. Some organisations list their major funders on their letterhead or in newsletters.

Be creative

Somali students learning English sent the funder a photo of the group with hand-written letters of thanks.

Let the funder know if you are doing something interesting, or if there are major changes to your organisation.

Trust Waikato surveyed successful and unsuccessful applicants and found that successful applicants were:

Knowledgeable about the range of funding •

sources and their suitability for a particular project or purpose

Realistic in their approach to funding •

Experienced in preparing applications •

Aware of how applications are assessed. •

Be systematic, creative, consistent, enthusiastic, realistic, positive...

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