Seven top tips on applying for Devon Community Foundation funding

Imagine what securing funding could mean for your organisation. Don’t be put off by the application process; follow our top tips on mastering grant applications. 

1. Hone your idea. Clarify what your proposal is, what you want to do and why. What difference will it make? Being clear on this is an important first step.
2. Familiarise yourself with what’s available and what we need from you. Sign up to our bulletins and check the website regularly for grant schemes. Read the guidance and criteria for the grant scheme carefully. This is so important. We try to make it clear what we are looking for and which organisations are eligible. Talk to us if you are unsure; don’t waste your time on an application that doesn’t fit your project. If one grant doesn’t work for you, don’t give up! Our Community Insights Team can help signpost you to other potential funding sources. New DCF funds become available through the year so sign up for news and keep checking the website.
3. Talk to us. If you still have questions or feel unsure after reading the criteria and the FAQs, then please do get in touch. A call to our friendly grants team could save you time.
4. Allow plenty of time. An application will take longer than you expect, and you don’t want to rush it. Sometimes we close funds early (if we have had lots of applications) so don’t get caught out.
5. Paint us a picture. Tell us what you want to do, the difference it will make and why. Assume we know nothing (even if you have received a grant from us before), tell us your story, be focused. Give us as much information as you can for each of the questions on the application form and cover all bases; what, why, who, where, how, when. The best applications tell us what will happen and the difference it will make to people and communities in Devon. The word count on the application is a good guide to how much detail is needed.
6. The budget? Detail is vital. It can help to create the budget alongside writing the request, so you cost as you go, and you don’t inadvertently miss anything out. Providing us with a breakdown of how figures have been calculated in the budget will help us understand it.
7. Save it! Sounds obvious but we all know the frustration of losing work. Click ‘save’ on the application form regularly and save the confirmation email and grant reference number in a safe place after it has been submitted.

Application submitted! What next?

Not successful this time? It’s not time wasted. You can take learnings from this and use it to develop future bids for Devon Community Foundation or other grant-making organisations.

You got the grant? Congratulations!  Take a look at our blog on top tips for grant holders.