Gathering Insight and top tips when applying

for funding Harry Stow

Sports Development Officer (Performance)

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The brief:

This workshop will focus on the key principles of making a successful funding application. It will discuss the importance of using local insight to identify need, thereby creating a demand led approach to obtaining funding.

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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Workshop Outline:

– provide hints and tips on how to approach and prepare high quality funding applications

– provide a chance to ask any questions you may have around funding

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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Making a strong case! Initial considerations

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

1 • Why is the project needed?

2

• What are you proposing to do? Is it sustainable?

3

• What are you looking to achieve? Targets?

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Making a strong case! Initial considerations

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

4 • Why is your organisation the one to deliver?

5

• Are you working in partnership with others?

6

• How will the funding make a real difference?

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Making a strong case! Initial considerations

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

7 • Does your project offer value for money?

8

• What would happen if you didn’t secure funding?

9

• What is the TRUE cost of your project?

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Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

Key things to

demonstrate

IMPACT

SUSTAINABILITY DELIVERABILITY

NEED

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Hints and Tips – General

• Grant streams are commonly over-subscribed

• You may have to apply more than once as it is very competitive

• Check that you’re eligible to apply, do you meet funding criteria?

• Make sure that it is a natural fit, don’t force it and don’t chase the wrong funding

• Read the guidance – it’s there for a reason and contains invaluable information

• If there is a helpline, call it, as those that do are often more successful.

• Attention to detail - available funding limits, what they will and won’t fund, deadlines, supporting evidence, do names on the constitution, bank accounts and governing documents all say the same thing?

• Remember the assessor will know nothing about your organisation

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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Hints and Tips – NEED

Are there gaps in provision that your proposed project fills?

Evidence demand – are people saying that want to play/participate in the activity or

offer you are proposing. Focus initially on demand as opposed to supply.

Consider the needs of the community – are there wider implications associated with

your project, e.g. crime reduction, employment opportunities

Where appropriate obtain letters of support

Underpin any application with research, insight and intelligence

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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Hints and Tips – IMPACT

Can you measure the difference your project will make

Build evaluation into the project planning stage

Applications that aim to increase participation might be looked on more favourably

However, for some funding streams, retention can be as important as growth.

Remember the majority of external funders will often only fund additional extras and

will not cover the day to day running costs.

Does your request represent value for money? Have you explored a number of

options and what has made you decide the source you are applying to is best?

What learning will you be able to draw from your project?

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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Hints and Tips – DELIVERABILITY

How will your project be delivered?

Who will deliver your project? – reference workforce in terms of partners, volunteers,

committee members etc. and the role they will play.

Do you have the facilities/kit/equipment/workforce to start the project if your bid is

successful? Is everything in place?

Do you have a good track record of delivery and can you evidence this?

Do you have a track record of completing and returning Monitoring and Evaluation

data when requested?

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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Hints and Tips – SUSTAINABILITY

Maintenance plans, put them in place and include them in your bid

Projections for 3 years – what maintenance will need to be done and how will this be

funded?

NB The majority of external funders will often only fund additional extras and

not cover day to day running cost,

Are the right people and processes in place? Is the project part of an overall Strategy

or Development Plan and who is taking a lead on delivering the objectives?

Do you have external partnerships that can provide additional skills and knowledge?

Is the project environmentally sustainable?

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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The key question to ask yourself……..

If I was putting my hand in my own pocket, would I fund me?

If the answer is NO, why should somebody else!

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

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Where is the insight?

Hampshire Cricket Board - Facilities Project Seminar

Hampshire County Council – Fact sheet

Sport England Toolkits

Sport England Resources: Women, Youth,

Disability etc.

Local Authority Insight

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Introduction to marketing

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Introduction to marketing

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Introduction to marketing

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Introduction to marketing

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Vision & Outcomes

Understand

Engage

Impact

Positive offer &

Experience

Reach

Evidence into insight

Insight into action

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In Summary

– The challenge for everyone, is to know your customers

– Understand motivations

– Demand led as opposed to supply

– Take people through the behaviour change journey

– Build relationships and collaborate

Let’s get going together - Basingstoke and Deane Physical Activity

Conference

Any Questions?