5 Essential Steps for Charitable Organisations to Secure Grants and Trusts
A Guide to Boost Your Funding Success with insights from our in-house Grants expert: Raewynne Jacobs
Securing funding through grants from philanthropic organisations is a critical lifeline for many charitable organisations. While donations from individual supporters are essential, diversifying your fundraising avenues is key to ensuring sustainable income from a range of sources.
Grants offer a significant opportunity to access larger sums of funding that can help charities grow and strengthen their impact, fund vital projects, and enhance their long-term sustainability. However, competition for funding from philanthropic sources is fierce, and it’s important to approach the application process strategically. Below are five practical steps to improve your chances of securing funding.
1. Research and Target the Right Funders
Finding the right funder with an aligned granting strategy for your organisation is crucial to a successful application. Invest time in researching grants that align with your mission and the specific projects you want to fund. Identify funders who have supported similar causes and make sure your application fits within their priorities.
- Tip: Use resources like Generosity New Zealand, Strategic Grants or Charities Services to pinpoint relevant opportunities. Narrowing your focus increases your chances of success.
2. Understand the Requirements
Each grant has its own set of requirements, from word limits to what you need to provide to lodge a complete application – such as financial documentation, letters of support. Carefully read and fully understand the criteria before you begin drafting your application. Many applications are disqualified simply because they don’t meet basic requirements, so attention to detail is key.
- Tip: Create a checklist of requirements and ensure that you meet each one before submission. This avoids common mistakes that could otherwise disqualify your application and lead to disappointment through a technical error.
3. Demonstrate Your Impact
Funders are primarily interested in how their money will make a difference. Use your application to clearly explain how your organisation is creating measurable impact and how the grant will enable you to amplify that, while making sure that the area that you are wanting to maximise impact in, is that also where your funder is also wanting to approve funder. Concrete examples and data will make your case stronger.
- Tip: Incorporate a mix of quantitative data and personal stories to illustrate the positive outcomes your organisation delivers. This balance will resonate emotionally while providing evidence of your success.
4. Develop a Strong Project Plan
Your grant application should include a detailed project plan that outlines clear objectives, timelines, and a transparent budget. A well-structured plan shows funders that you are prepared to execute the project successfully and make the most of the funding.
- Tip: Ensure that your budget is realistic and clearly justifies how the funds will be allocated. Transparency builds trust and demonstrates your professionalism.
5. Build Relationships with Funders
Where possible, start building relationships with potential funders before you apply. Introduce your organisation and project to them to gain insights into their funding priorities and establish a rapport. Maintaining good relationships with funders can increase your chances of success, not just for current applications but for future ones as well. Your funder can also offer you practical advise and tips as well as opportunities to connect with other funders. Whether it is funders, community organisations or Government agencies, working in partnership is when we best work together.
- Tip: After your application, follow up regardless of the outcome. Even if you’re not successful this time, building a long-term relationship may open doors for future opportunities.
Applying for grants is a highly competitive process, but with the right strategy, charitable organisations can significantly improve their chances of success. By researching thoroughly, understanding funder requirements, demonstrating impact, and building relationships, your organisation can position itself to secure the funding necessary to continue making a difference. Diversifying your funding sources is essential to sustaining your mission, so taking these steps is an important investment in your organisation’s future.