Working with funders - resources

We have put together some useful sources of extra support, to accompany the sections on the grant making section to take you through the funding process.

Explore the current funding environment.
Getting funding - from finding shared ground, to tips on making better funding applications we have a range of resources.
Reporting back to funders - feeding back to funders is a fact of life for voluntary and community organisations, but it needn't be burden to work find out how to match up your needs and build relationships.
Exit strategies - grants are fixed term which means they always come to an end but what alternative ways are there to achieve your activities.

Find out more

Explore other income options - from gift economy to contracts and the open market find out what other funding options are available to you.
Strategy
Join a discussion or network

PDFs to download

Local support

Councils for Voluntary Service (CVSs)
Your local CVS is usually a good place to start. A directory of local CVSs is available from the National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA). In some areas, there are also dedicated funding advisory bureaux and your local CVS will know of these (see below for the main ones).
Rural Community Councils (RCCs)

Community Councils
Some rural community councils can provide advice on grant funding and support in bid writing though each differs significantly in the scope of their work. ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) is the umbrella organisation for RCCs and can put you in touch with the one closest to you.

North East
Funding Information North East (FINE)
Produce regular bulletins, which subscribers can receive weekly by email, or approximately six-weekly in paper format. They also produce guides for individuals and groups to grants available in the North East.

South Yorkshire Funding Advice Bureau supports local community and voluntary groups in Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield and its information is focused accordingly. The user-friendly site features good introductory guides on fundraising and fundraising strategy.

Charities Information Bureau works across the United Kingdom, but is based in and has its main focus in West Yorkshire. Their fit4funding website provides support for community groups and voluntary organisations who are seeking funding.

Fundraising: training and information

The Directory of Social Change provides a full range of information, publications and training courses about fundraising.
www.dsc.org.uk

The Institute of Fundraising
The professional body for UK fundraisers offering professional development and representation for those working in fundraising (including grant fundraising but also individuals and corporate sponsorship).
www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk

Further information about funders

Publications

Tiny essentials of raising money from Trusts and Foundations, Jo Habib, White Lion Press, 2006.
Provides a concise and accessible overview of the trusts and foundations sector and suggestions on how to approach applying to them for funding.

Organisations

Association of Charitable Funders (ACF)
Represents and supports grant making trusts. ACF’s website includes information about Trusts and Foundations and factsheets about working with grant making trusts.
www.acf.org.uk

Community Foundation Network
There are approximately 60 community foundations across the country which raise funds from the private, public, and the voluntary and community sectors, to invest in permanent assets, the interest from which is used to make grants to meet local needs. They also act as intermediary vehicles for a range grants flowing into a particular area, becoming a one-stop shop for smaller organizations. Find out if there is community foundation in your area.