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The money trail

A successful grant application means more money and less work than a cake stall!

Applying for funding can seem a thankless task for members of community groups when they are fully occupied running the organisation. Capturing the elusive dollar may be time consuming or even stressful. Sometimes the application is unsuccessful.

Yet without funds your group cannot function. Applying for funds successfully may involve learning new skills and developing new systems. This booklet is designed to encourage you to be systematic, thereby reducing your workload and increasing your chances of success.

The trusts or organisations you apply to do not need to be convinced to give money to worthy projects. They were established to do so. They want to give money away – wisely – and are keen for good projects to support. The challenge is to convince them to support your project.

Trust Waikato hopes this booklet will assist your community organisation to improve the quality of its grant applications. As a result you should increase your group’s chances of receiving the funds it needs.

Grants or donations are only one source of funds for a community organisation. A prudent organisation aims for income from a range of sources such as fees, subscriptions, bequests, planned giving, sponsorship and in-kind support, fundraising, trading profit and events.

Fundraising events can be great fun and a good way of involving the whole group while raising your profile in the community.

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