Post on 04-Jan-2016
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Applying for Research Grants
Philanthropy Australia
Philanthropy…the voluntary planned donation of money, time, information, goods and services to improve the wellbeing of humanity and the community
• Represents the philanthropic sector
• Promotes the contribution of philanthropy by growing the understanding of the community, business and government
• Inspires and supports new philanthropists
• Increases the effectiveness of philanthropy through the provision of information, resources and networking opportunities
• Promotes strong and transparent governance standards in the philanthropic sector
Philanthropic Foundations
• Foundations are independent entities
• Important legal constraints govern foundations
• All foundations are different with separate aims and methods
• Most foundations do not and cannot frequently change their aims
• They like to “own” a project
• Foundations like to co-fund
• … but they shouldn’t be viewed as just another pot of money
• Many will not fund what they regard as a government responsibility
Grant Writing: the essentials
• Research and target only appropriate funders
• Know what you want to do, why and how
• Make your point with evidence not emotion
• Follow the guidelines and keep it short and concise
• Make sure your budget is detailed and clear
• Supply all the requested information
• Be clear on your charitable or DGR status
• Focus on the impact your project will have
Target only appropriate funders
• Research is an essential part of the process – not an add-on
• The scattergun approach is a waste of everyone’s time
• Make a shortlist - fewer funders, but more targeted applications
• Obtain the funder’s guidelines and stick to them
• Make contact to discuss the project and your application
• When in doubt, ask!
What, why and how
Prove to the funder the following things:
• Why this research should be done
• What the benefit will be
• Why you are the right organisation/department to do the job
• What reason you have to believe this will provide results
• How this fits in with the funder’s priorities and principles
• How you will be able to show you made a difference
Evidence not emotion
• Is there supporting evidence to back up your claims?
• Statistics (eg ABS, AIHW, local government)
• Independent studies (eg, university research centres)
• Your own observations (eg, 40% increase in referrals)
• Remember to note your sources
• Don’t rely on emotion – convince with facts
• Document review and awareness of nonprofit partners
Follow the Guidelines
• Contact the funder first for guidelines (if contact details supplied)
• Make sure you follow the guidelines
• Guidelines are there to help you self-select and conserve resources
• Follow the suggested structure – and keep it short!
• Keep it under 5 pages
• Foundations are lean on staff, so be concise
• Add attachments for further information & clarification
• When in doubt, ask!
Be short and concise
• Yours is only one of many applications, so make it easy to read
• You should be able to summarise it in a paragraph
• Four pages total (plus a cover page and attachments)
• Include supporting documentation as attachments
• Be sure you’ve included everything the funder asked for
• Make it legible
• Use headings, subheadings, dot points, explain your jargon
• Don’t clutter it up with pictures or unnecessary information
Budget
• Approach multiple funders if necessary to make up total project budget
• Let them know who else you’ve approached for this project
• Inform them when full or partial funding comes through
• Always ask for a set amount and let them know how it will be spent
• Itemise the budget – who is being paid for under “salaries” and for how long?
• Attach quotes if applicable
• Don’t ask for too much – or for too little!
Supply requested information
• Incomplete applications cannot be processed without information
• They also waste your time and the foundation’s time
• Foundations cannot just operate on trust
• Trustees have a duty to ensure the funds are being used appropriately
• Allowing enough time for your application to be looked at means that you have a chance to rework it if requested
Know your tax status
• Most foundations legally must fund certain types of organisation
• Some must fund only TCC (tax concession charity) or DGR (deductible gift recipient) and some must fund organisations with both endorsements
• You must supply your notification(s) of endorsement
• There are two types of DGR – DGR 1 and DGR 2, or “doing” and “giving” DGR – most foundations can only fund DGR 1
• There is information on your notification which is not available on the Australian Business Register (so don’t just print & send your ABR entry)
• Ensure your notifications are filed somewhere accessible
Focus on impact
• The important thing to the foundations is that the work goes ahead and succeeds
• Show both numbers (how many helped) and less concrete results (changes in attitude or behaviour)
• How will you show you’ve made a difference?
• How will you share any knowledge that has come out of this project?
• Foundations need you to do the work as much as you need them to supply the money
• It’s the work you will carry out as a result that counts!
• It is the results of your work that is important to the funder – not your career or your organisation
Elements of an Application
• Cover Page
• Summary
• Organisation Details
• Issue/Need Background
• Project Description
• Budget
• Attachments
Cover Page
• Name of your organisation
• Contact details and a contact name
• Name of grantmaker applied to
• Amount requested
• Reason requested (title of project)
Summary/Abstract
• A single paragraph (less than 200 words)
• Sums up the whole submission in a single paragraph
• A useful exercise in brevity and expression
• An important part of the submission; the attention-grabber
Organisation
• Mission statement
• Brief outline of your department’s work
• Brief outline of your expertise
• Annual report/financials (attachment)
• Legal structure
• Board membership (attachment)
Issue/Need Background
• Why does the work need doing?
• What is the problem you are trying to solve – or the situation you’re trying to create?
• Is there evidence to back up your claim?
• What is the catchment area you’re working in?
Project Outline
• What are you proposing to do?
• What actions will take place as a direct result of you getting this funding?
• What is the time frame?
• Who will be in charge?
• What will the impact be – and how will you measure and demonstrate it?
Budget
• Detailed and itemised
• Include quotes if applicable
• Always list other sources of funding – approached and confirmed
• Inform when partial/full funding comes through
• Be sure you have asked for enough to do the project!
Contact Information
Level 10, 530 Collins StMelbourne Victoria 3000Australia
Tel (61 3) 9620 0200Fax (61 3) 9620 0199
pa@philanthropy.org.auwww.philanthropy.org.au
Assn. No. A0014980TABN 79 578 875 531