The document provides advice on why applications for funding fail and how to ensure a successful application. It addresses eligibility, meeting the criteria, using clear language, demonstrating need with evidence, thorough planning, completing all forms fully, allowing sufficient time, realistic costs, measurable outputs, and sustainability after funding ends. Following this guidance will help applicants meet all the requirements and increase their chances of being approved.

1. Why
applications
Fail
Jon Matthews
info@jonmatthews.co.uk
@funding_eye
www.jonmatthews.co.uk

2. Eligibili
ty
• Status
• Non-charity
• Umbrella bodies
• National / local
• Powers and activities
• Check the constitution
• Previous applications
• When did you last apply?

3. Criteria
• Ensure you meet them
• Explain how you meet them
• Check they have not changed
• Check exclusions!

4. Clarity
• Avoid jargon and technical language
• Be clear about what you want to do
• You know what you do, but they don’t

5. Demonstrate
Need
 Bids should benefit people not
organisations
 Use of statistics and hard facts
Census data
 Community involvement in planning
Survey
Beneficiary involvement

6. Planning
 Ensure project is thought through
 Who will manage staff
Are policies for staff in place

7. Form
Filling
 Use them!
 Answer all the questions
Unless they are optional
 Use of ‘see attached’
 Send all the information requested

8. Timing
 Retrospective funding – Don’t!
 You need at least 3 months to get a
response
 Don’t miss the deadline
 Allow time to spend the money

9. Costs
• Ensure figures are realistic
• Are you value for money, but
• Don’t cut corners in budgets
• Capacity to delivery

10. Outputs
 What will you change as a result of the
funding
 How will you measure them
 Monitoring and evaluation

11. Sustainabili
ty
 How will the project continue when the
funding ends
 How will any capital goods be maintained

12. Thank you
Any questions?