Five top tips for Devon Community Foundation grant-holders

So, you got a Devon Community Foundation grant? Congratulations! This is just the beginning of our relationship. We’re keen to hear about changes of plans along the way, and want to learn about what you did and the difference it made once the grant is spent. Here are some tips to make sure that goes smoothly:

1. Record as you go. Find a system that works for you and make a note of the information you’ll need as you go along:

• • Keep detailed records for the final report.
  • What’s happening and the difference you observe it making. Include key measurables, such as numbers of people benefitting. We can work with you to agree what needs recording here for reports.
  • Things that bring the project to life. Keep a diary or journal and record the unexpected, the things you notice along the way. Think about things like quotes from service users and how the grant has made a difference. Where possible, photography (ensure you have the right permissions) can be powerful in showcasing impact.
  • Gathering this information along the way really helps when reporting to us at end of the grant. It will also enable you to reflect and learn, which will help your next bid. 

2. Keep communicating. Tell us of any changes to your plan as soon as you can. We understand that things happen, and we can usually accommodate. Just get in touch.

3. Tell us when your grant is spent. If you complete the project early, that’s ok. You don’t need to wait until we send you a report form to let us know.

4. As well as sharing the good stuff, tell us what went wrong. Things rarely go totally to plan, and we understand that challenges happen. Make sure you share this with us as it’s important we understand. Being honest in your feedback is how we learn and improve too. 

5. Keep talking! We are a small team, and we love getting to know to know our grant holders. If you are unsure about anything, don’t wait, just drop us a line or pick up the phone. There may also be additional opportunities to get involved in the future, such as being part of our grant panels.

The team

• Sally Clements – Programmes Team Manager
• Vanessa Johnson – Programme Manager
• Carly Hobson – Programme Manager
• Ben Smith – Partnerships and Programmes Team Administrator
• Claire Lavery – Partnerships and Programmes Team Administrator