Applying for Funding for Heritage Building Projects

Transcription

1 Applying for Funding for Heritage Building Projects Ian Simpson Heritage Officer, Diocese of Liverpool

2 Introduction As Heritage Officer I have raised nearly 2m in Grant Funding for churches in two years. This includes over 1m from the HLF and 423k from the Roof Repair Fund. The principles and tips I will share with you today apply for all heritage building funding applications, not just churches. At all times remember. Completing this Master Class does not guarantee you will get a grant! YOU are the expert in your project adapt and develop what you learn today to suit your circumstances.

3 What are we going to LEARN? Following this presentation you should feel confident to... Research and identify funding opportunities appropriate to your Project. Understand the importance of showing how your Project s Outcomes are aligned to those of the potential Funder. Complete a Grant Application in a professional manner. Understand the Ten Golden Rules of Grant Applications and use them to give your application an advantage.

4 The Funding Pie Funding for your Project should come from a variety of sources. Don t put all your eggs in one basket! Examples - based on a 350k (inc. VAT) project. Example: Funding Type Example 1 Ex. 1% Example 2 Ex. 2% 1. Existing Resources 120, , Major Donations 45, , Local Fundraising 20, , Grants 107, , LPW Scheme 57, , , , Existing Resources 2. Major Donations 3. Local Fundraising 4. Grants 5. LPW Scheme 1. Existing Resources 2. Major Donations 3. Local Fundraising 4. Grants 5. LPW Scheme Whilst this presentation is just about Grant funding, don t neglect the other sources!

5 Applying for Grants On average, as a rule of thumb 25% of grant applications are SUCCESSFUL Another 25% are GOOD APPLICATIONS but unfortunately can t be funded. 50% are POOR APPLICATIONS which cannot be considered Using what you learn today doesn t guarantee you a grant unfortunately, but it will ensure you make a good application which will be seriously considered.

6 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #1 Only apply to relevant funders This SHOULD go without saying but doesn t always! Half an hour s RESEARCH could save you a wasted day.

7 Researching potential funders Very Useful Website:

8 Searching the FFHB Site The search shown gave 61 results (on 9/6/15). It s up to you to go through the results to find the best fit for your project. Finding a trust on FFHB does NOT mean you will definitely get a grant!

9 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #2 Read the Application Guidance EVERY grant-making trust or foundation offers some degree of guidance as to what they expect to see in an application. Pay particular attention to the OUTCOMES the funder wants to achieve. The Guidance will also explain what Supporting Documentation you must provide.

10 Outcomes, Outcomes OUTCOMES! Grant-making Trusts WANT to give their money away. If they don t, it will never deliver their required Outcomes. These Outcomes are explained in the Application Guidance. If you can show that your project meets their Outcomes they are much more likely to invest in it if you can t or don t, the chances are they won t! Remember: it is up to you to show exactly how the project meets the outcomes. Grants committees can t read your mind so if you need them to know something, state it explicitly!

11 Supporting Documentation Guidance will tell you exactly what Supporting Documentation to attach (or enclose, if in paper form). Generally this will include: Reports condition survey, specialist technical reports, etc. Your latest accounts (audited if applicable). Photographs of the building and the defects you are aiming to rectify. Detailed cost breakdown for the Project. Any Partnership Agreements, Leases, Mortgage Documents (as applicable). Job Descriptions for any posts being funded. Pay close attention to instructions regarding format, maximum size, etc. Leaving anything out could result in your application not being considered.

12 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #2½ Read the Application Guidance AGAIN Make sure you know EXACTLY what the funder requires of you! More grant applications fail because the applicant obviously hasn t read the Guidance Notes than for any other reason.

13 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #3 Be Aware of the Deadline! Allow plenty of time to work-up your application. A rushed application is almost guaranteed to be a poor application. Different funders have different deadlines. It s important to research these and follow a strategic approach to making applications.

14 Exercise Strategic Planning of Funding Applications The Church of St. Alexis of Rome with St. Lydwina has been awarded 200K by the Heritage Lottery Fund for urgent structural & stained glass window repairs. During the Development Phase they have until 29 th February 2016 to raise 30K in partnership funding. They are going to apply to: Funder Deadline Lead Time Garfield Weston Foundation None weeks National Churches Trust 30/9/15 December decision Allchurches Trust None weeks ChurchCare Stained Glass Grants 14/8/15? Worshipful Company of Glaziers 28/9/ weeks How would you prioritise these grant applications?

15 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #4 Make a Draft Copy First Be clear about your ideas and make sure you ve included everything. Get someone to check over the form before you commit. Treat the form like you would the application form for your dream job, and you won t go far wrong.

16 Make A Draft Copy Online Forms use Draft Print facility if available. Paper Forms (yes, they are still in use!) make a photocopy first. No Application Form (e.g. Garfield Weston Foundation, Tudor Trust) no problem, get someone to read the application BEFORE you send it in!

17 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #5 Give EVIDENCE that your Project is Necessary Photographic or Report-Based (Building / Heritage Outcomes) Based on Research / Consultation (Community / People Outcomes)

18 Photographic Evidence Easy to gather with modern digital cameras / phones. Needs to be clear and relevant. Gather over time if possible to show change / deterioration. Aug 2014 May 2015

19 Report-Based Evidence Building Condition Report prepared by Architect or Chartered Surveyor. Some programmes (e.g. HLF GPOW scheme) expect AABC or equivalent. Heritage At Risk Register. Specialist Reports Roof, Dry Rot, Stained Glass Windows, etc. HLF Development Phase funding available for reports. Also evidence of the building s heritage value, e.g.: Architectural Books such as Pevsner / Sharples / Simon Jenkins. Statement Of Significance.

20 Evidence from Consultation and Research Best to include a mixture of QUANTITATIVE and QUALITATIVE evidence. Quantitative numbers, e.g. 63% of 205 respondents said they would use the building more if it had toilet facilities installed. Based on surveys & questionnaires: more responses = more powerful data. You can also include data from other sources as background info e.g. Church Urban Fund statistics, Council ward profiles, etc. Qualitative words and stories, based on interviews, e.g. Mr. X, a homeless ex-serviceman, told us that the friendship and support he had received from the Project gave him the confidence to apply for a job. A few well-chosen examples can be very powerful.

21 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #6 Give DETAIL, not Generalisation The more detail you give, the more credible your application will be. But keep it relevant don t waffle! Generally: the larger the grant you need, the more detail you need to give.

22 Detail, not Generalisation Our stained glass windows are in need of repair. Great 2,000 churches are in the same position. What s so special about yours? The four stained glass windows, designed by the noted artist Henry Holiday ( ) and depicting the four Evangelists were installed between 1885 and 1889 in memory of the Rector s grandparents. Pevsner (1969) cited these windows as a particularly fine example of the artist s work. In recent years the ferramenta have become rusted and brittle, and the gradual softening of the lead cames has resulted in a distinct outward bow. The window depicting St. John also has two holes resulting from a pellet gun attack several years ago. Be mindful of Word Limits!

23 Exercise - Detail, not Generalisation Here are some generalisations which might appear on poorly-written grant application forms. How might these be re-written for better effect? 1. The roof is in terrible condition. 2. If we build a Visitor Centre, more visitors will come. 3. The project is based in a deprived area. 4. Ours is a very historic church. 5. The project will educate kids about local history.

24 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #7 Write the Summary LAST If the Summary isn t compelling, the rest of the application may not be read. Your opportunity to pull everything together showing how your Project meets those all-important OUTCOMES.

25 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #8 Apply to Several Funders Don t put all your eggs in one basket! Funders want to see that you are working to achieve your goals.

26 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #9 Don t Cut-and-Paste between Applications! Experienced assessors can spot this much like a teacher can spot a lazy teenager doing it in a school assignment! You may end up answering the wrong question.

27 Applying for Grants TEN GOLDEN RULES OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS RULE #10 If at first you don t succeed Try Again. And Again, if necessary!

28 Following a Disappointment Don t take it personally. It happens to us all! Try and get some feedback some funders will provide extensive and useful feedback. Some (e.g. Garfield Weston Foundation) will not give any. Make sure you act on the feedback if you are reapplying! Be aware of any lock-out periods during which you cannot reapply. Perseverance pays off one church recently got an HLF Repair Grant of 215,000 on its third application.

29 Keep In Touch! Do let me know how you get on with your applications. Any queries, etc: or tel.: Invites to opening parties, gala launches, etc., always welcome!!!