What makes a good
application
Glenn Austin
28 June 2013
Mission statement:
‘Bringing improvements to communities and
the lives of people most in need’
Outcomes funder
What we want to achieve with our funding
You must be able to demonstrate how your project meets
at least one of our four programme outcomes
Outcome 1
Outcome 2
Outcome 3
People having
Stronger
Improved rural
better chances communities,
and urban
in life, with
with more
environments,
better access active citizens,
which
to training and
working
communities
development
together to
are better able
to improve
tackle their
to access and
their life skills
problems
enjoy
Outcome 4
Healthier and
more active
people and
communities
Understanding the Funding Environment
Demand-led programmes: Chances of Success
Awards for All (small grants)
Overall success rate in the SE
currently increasing at 55%
51%
Reaching Communities (large grants)
Stage 1
Overall success rate in the SE
currently decreasing at 31%
Stage 2
Overall success rate in the SE
currently increasing at 60%
42%
31%
Common Mistakes
Awards for All
• Not understanding what Awards for All can
fund
• Applications incomplete on first submission
• Not returning requested documents at
conditional offer stage.
Reaching Communities
• Outcomes unlikely to be achieved
Common Reject Reasons
• Outside programme remit apply for things we do not
fund (more suited to another
lottery distributor)
• Insufficient evidence of need
• Unclear outcomes, or does
not make link between
project’s outcomes and
programme outcomes
Why do you need to
evidence need?
• High demand for limited resources
• Prove your project will make a difference
• Prove that you haven’t presumed what the
community needs
• Prove that your project is the best way of
addressing the need identified – what are
the
alternatives?
• Prove that you understand the community and
their needs
Don’t assume that readers (funders and
partners) will automatically see there is
a need. It is up to you to convince them.
Make sure that your
application links together
Issue
Need
Beneficiaries
Activities
Budget
Outcome
The “wow” factor
“A new approach and
“Singularity of focus – doing 1 or
“Singularity of
focus
– doing
1 or
“Singularity
focus
– doing
innovation
happy
to
take
2 things that–ofreally
make
a
2 things
that really
make is
a
1
or
2 planned
things
really
risk
if
benefit
difference
ratherthat
than
solving
difference rather than solving
worldapoverty
and hunger”
make
difference
rather
clear”
world poverty
and hunger”
than solving world poverty
and hunger”
Making the best application:
Hints and tips
• We are always happy to talk to you about potential projects
at an early stage – call or email Big Advice.
• Read the guidance! Use the application form help notes.
• Keep your answers simple, clear, specific and consistent.
• Act on any feedback BIG has given you.
• Remember to budget for everything i.e. inflation, auditors,
evaluation costs, full cost recovery.
• Don’t rush – plan carefully. It might take longer than you
think to set up your project.
• Proofread your form or ask someone else to read it; talk
through what you’ve written. Use the form’s checklist.
Where to find out more
www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
30
Big Advice Line: 0845 4 10 20
Textphone: 0845 6 02 16 59
Email: enquiries@biglotteryfund.org.uk