Before you apply, find out what the application procedure is. It may be an application form or it may be a letter, and you also might be required to submit supplementary information. A significant number of good applications fail because they have not followed the application procedure correctly.

A good funding application will interest a funder sufficiently for them to make a donation to your organisation or project. There is no magic formula, but by giving your application time and thought, you can considerably improve your chances of success.

Application checklist

1. Find out all you can about the funder
Make sure that what you want falls within the funder’s criteria. Speak to the funder if possible, and talk to other groups who have already made successful applications to this funder. Time and effort at this stage will increase your chances of success.

2. Read the questions
Read the whole application through before you start to complete it, as well as any accompanying notes. Do not work on the assumption that if all else fails you will read the instructions. If you do not understand anything, ask for help.

3. Compose a rough draft
Take several photocopies of the form before you start and use these to put together rough drafts of your application.

4. Answer all the questions
Do not leave something blank just because you do not understand what it is asking. Make sure you have checked both sides of every page of the application form!

5. Get all necessary signatures
The signatures you might need are those of the trustees, referees, a contact person, and so on, so leave ample time to collect all of these.

6. Proofread the application
Get someone else to check your application before you send it. Do all the figures add up? Do other people understand it? Is the application tidy? Have you checked for any spelling mistakes, and is the writing legible?

7. Include supporting material
Make sure you include all the requested supporting material. This may include the annual report and accounts, relevant job descriptions, budgets, any building permission, leases, letters of support, and requested policies such as constitution and equal opportunities policy. If funders then ask for additional information, deal with this immediately so you do not jeopardise your chances of being awarded funding.

8. Include contact details
Provide the funder with a clear point of contact. Make sure that others within your group know about the application and can answer a funder’s questions if necessary.

9. Make photocopies
Take a photocopy of any completed application before you send it. Make sure any copies are kept in an easily accessible place so if you are not there others can discuss the application. Leave a checklist of key points at the front of the application so others in the group can answer questions if needed.

10. Keep the funder informed
If your circumstances change during the course of the application or immediately after sending it off, tell the funder immediately. Do not wait for them to find out themselves.

11. Meet deadlines
Allow yourself plenty of time and do not leave everything until the last minute! Do not expect funders to be sympathetic to late applications – they also have deadlines to meet.