Presenting your case This workshop presentation was delivered at Culture: Working Well, a Torbay Culture Forum Event on 2 nd July 2015. The presentation is being made available in PDF format via the Torbay Cultural Strategy Website by kind permission of Jenny Fish. The information within provided was correct at the time of the event but may be subject to change in the future. It is recommended that individuals sign up to the The Big Lottery Fund England e bulletin for up to date information about open funding programmes. Jenny Fish Funding Officer (Local) July 2015
Today s Learning Better understanding of the Big Lottery Fund and of the current funding environment Understand how to prepare before writing an application Understand what information BIG is looking for and how to link it together to make a strong case for funding Be able to apply top tips and avoid common pitfalls Have increased confidence to apply for BIG grants
Choose the right funder BIG People and communities in need Arts Council Art, culture, theatre Sport England Sports and activity Heritage Lottery Fund History and heritage
Big Lottery Fund Mission The Big Lottery Fund is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and to the lives of people most in need
BIG is an outcomes funder Your project must meet at least one of these four outcomes: Outcome 1 Outcome 2 Outcome 3 Outcome 4 People having better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills Stronger communities, with more active citizens, working together to tackle their problems Improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy Healthier and more active people and communities
BIG Funding Three main themes Open Funding: Awards for All (Small grants 300-10,000) Reaching Communities (Larger grants 10,000-500,000) Targeted funding: E.g. Older people, Young people, families, capability building Place-based funding: Intense support to areas of acute need
Awards for All in Torbay Last Year: 25 applications 21.5 awards totalling 199,775 Average grant 8,579 Success rate 86% 2012-15: 56 successful awards totalling 482,168
Reaching Communities in Torbay Last Year: 7 applications 2.9 awards totalling 724,104 Average award 316,145 Success rate 40.3% at stage one Success rate 74.4% at stage two
Read the Guidelines... Is your organisation eligible? Do you have required governance in place? Are your project activities suitable for the programme? Would the programme fund your project costs? Can you start / complete your project in the required timescale?
Why is providing evidence of need so important? High demand for limited resources Prove that you understand the community and their needs Prove that you haven t made assumptions Prove the scale of the need your project will address Prove why your project is the best way of meeting the need you have identified
Research services in your area Is other work being done to support your beneficiaries? Will your project fill a gap in service? Does it support local priorities? Are there any similar projects in your area? What has BIG funded in your area already?
Gather information to support your case Consult with project beneficiaries include all groups who will benefit from your project Involve stakeholders e.g. schools, doctors, parents, community representatives, local Council Build your evidence e.g. surveys, focus groups, results of pilot projects You will need to show that your project is needed, supported and will make a difference!
Start by defining Need Go back to basics assume the Grant Officers assessing your application know nothing about the needs of the people you are trying to help Quote your sources - make sure all sources of evidence are listed and dated, and all the information is up to date and relevant to your project Make a strong case use a broad range of information and if in doubt add more rather than less
How much evidence do you need to provide? Depends on: The scale of the problem What capacity you have How much funding you are applying for... the important thing is to make a strong case
Sources of evidence What sources of evidence can you think of?
Sources of evidence Soft Information Hard Consultations Information Focus groups Local statistics Questionnaires Focus groups Questionnaires Interviews Letters of support Interviews Before and after data Waiting lists Hard Information Local statistics Census Strategies and policies Local & national priorities Research reports Deprivation Index Office for National Statistics
Defining Project Aim, Outcomes and Activities Project aim - one simple sentence to closely reflect the need identified
Defining Project Aim, Outcomes and Activities Project aim - one simple sentence to closely reflect the need identified Outcomes strong and clear points to explain the change you want to make for the project beneficiaries
Defining Project Aim, Outcomes and Activities Project aim - one simple sentence to closely reflect the need identified Outcomes strong and clear points to explain the change you want to make for the project beneficiaries Project activities - together should add up to show how the outcomes and aim will be met
Involve your beneficiaries Taking part in surveys and focus groups Contributing to project planning and design Participating in day to day running Represented on steering group / project board Included in reviews and evaluations of project success
Double check your application before sending Have you provided all the information required? Are there any gaps / weak areas? Does it make a strong case? Ask a supportive person outside your organisation to review it
Tips and Pitfalls
Comments from the England Committee Tell me in clear and practical terms what they actually intend to do Evidence of partnerships and attempt to find other sources of funding Singularity of focus doing 1 or 2 things that really make a difference Read the guidance and be realistic
Pitfalls to Avoid Don t... Just jump right in without reading the guidelines
Pitfalls to Avoid Don t... Just jump right in without reading the guidelines Assume the need for your project speaks for itself
Pitfalls to Avoid Don t... Just jump right in without reading the guidelines Assume the need for your project speaks for itself Forget to include sources and dates for all your evidence
Pitfalls to Avoid Don t... Just jump right in without reading the guidelines Assume the need for your project speaks for itself Forget to include sources and dates for all your evidence Omit to consult beneficiaries and stakeholders
Pitfalls to Avoid Don t... Just jump right in without reading the guidelines Assume the need for your project speaks for itself Forget to include sources and dates for all your evidence Omit to consult beneficiaries and stakeholders Focus on the organisation, building or activities rather than the people you want to help
Tips for Success Do... Read the guidelines and use all other help available
Tips for Success Do... Read the guidelines and use all other help available Start by defining need make it the core of your application
Tips for Success Do... Read the guidelines and use all other help available Start by defining need make it the core of your application Ensure all parts of your application build on and support each other
Tips for Success Do... Read the guidelines and use all other help available Start by defining need make it the core of your application Ensure all parts of your application build on and support each other Get a critical friend to review your application before submission
Tips for Success Do... Read the guidelines and use all other help available Start by defining need make it the core of your application Ensure all parts of your application build on and support each other Get a critical friend to review your application before submission If not successful first time, ask for feedback and try again!
Using these tips will help your chances of success!
Support and Guidance Available
Support and Guidance Available BIG Websites: BIG Lottery Fund website: http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk Programme Guidance Notes Getting Funding & Planning Successful Projects Good Practice Guides e.g. equalities, involving young people Case studies of successful projects BIG Advice Line: 0345 10 20 30 Email enquiries: general.enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk
Questions and Comments?