Funding

funding at SmithMartin Partnership LLP

Funding strategy, plans and applications

We can help to develop funding plans, and deliver bids that make projects accessible to everyone.

We do this by undertaking needs audits and consultation, reviewing policies and procedures that affect the delivery of services and the internal culture of organisations. We work with everyone involved. Partners, service users, as well as staff and volunteers.

We will support your project from inception to the post-funding report stage. We have expert skills in bid writing and business plan development.

Whether tendering for commissioned services or bidding for grant money, our support can help you succeed.

We write relevant, holistic and successful applications.

Demystifying Grant Seeking: What You Really Need to Do to Get Grants (Hardcover)

by Larissa Golden Brown, Martin John Brown and John Martin Brown

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Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Jossey Bass Wiley (21 Sep 2001)
Language English
ISBN: 0787956503

Demystifying Grantseeking is an inspirational and instructional guide to grantseeking. The authors--successful grantseekers in their own right--show you how to overcome the common fears fundraisers often experience and offer sound, practical advice to successful grantseeking.

The book provides you with a systematic and logical way of searching for grants, and helps to identify which foundations to approach so fundraisers don't waste time on dead-end proposals.
Amazon.co.uk

'Raising money takes time, and, with a bit of creativity and planning, and some thorough research you can increase your chances of success' .

SmithMartin can provide the support you need to achieve this aim.

Funding can be derived from many sources for your project. From charitable trusts, corporate donors, to government funded programmes. Whichever funding route you take there are some simple first considerations to make.

Are your plans SMART, costed and framed for presentation in a way recognisably understood by the funder.

Have you been realistic in detailing every cost for your project? Advice and experience count here.

Have you mapped and engaged the widest possible range of stakeholders for your project? Who are your partners?

Has someone taken ownership of the project co-ordination and delivery? Can outside help be useful here?

Raising money costs time, energy and cash? Does your stepped plan include this?

'It’s important to allow plenty of time for fundraising. If the event or project for which your seeking funds is due to take place next week, you’ve probably left it too late. It is advisable to allow at least 6 to18 months to raise funds for a project. Often major capital projects will be raising funds over a number of years'. SmithMartin can help you plan your project life-cycle activity.

Do not underestimate the time needed to consult, plan and write bids.
Ensure that those doing the research can evidence an understanding of the funder's application process.
Major givers deal with many applications - yours must shine.
Funders themselves undertake consultation about bids - this can lengthen the process.

Develop a funding plan - create a vision that is clear, costed and timetabled.

Be clear about what you want to do.
Be clear how you wish to achieve your plan.
Engage all your partners appropriately to achieve your aims.
Divide your plan into short, medium and long term aims.
Be accurate and honest about all your costs.
Create realistic deadlines, test the process of achievement regularly.
Research multiple funding sources and options.

SmithMartin can help facilitate your vision, work on your plan and deliver your funds.

'It is important to work out what you want to do and how much it will cost at the beginning before you even think about where you’re going to find the funds rather than the other way round.

Often projects will be funded by a whole range of sources rather than just one big one so it’s very important to define your priorities first'.

Quotations from Gem.org.uk - March 2005

Some useful Links

UK Fundraising
- Ideas and innovation in fund-raising.

Association of Charitable Foundations
- Trust fund sources and links to good practice..

Institute of Fundraising
- News pages.