Before you launch into fundraising for your project, make sure that you have done everything you can to ensure that you have the best possible chance of succeeding: start by creating your vision and be crystal clear defining it. If you are applying for grants, you need this to build your case for fundraising.

Involve your community. Make sure you ask the right questions at the beginning of your community consultation process and do your research. Get everyone on board defining what they want, why they want it, what problem it is solving and what the positive outcomes will be – this is what funders want to know. In this competitive funding environment, you need to establish a strong case for your project. Funders will want to know that there is a proven NEED and that the OUTCOMES of the project reflect their funding criteria e.g. improved access to services, supporting the local economy by creating new services, providing a stimulating and safe environment for children, etc.

Make sure you can evidence your case by asking for letters of support, compiling a dossier with results, pictures, volunteer involvement and more.

1. What are outcomes?

Outcomes are the changes or difference that your project can make over time.  TIP: Funders are not interested in the fact that you want to (for example) provide a new swing – they want to know what the outcomes will be for the community.

2. Why is it important to define outcomes?

Most funders have funding criteria that are based on outcomes. To succeed in convincing funders to support your project, you need to check that your project outcomes are a good match to the outcome criteria of the funding programme(s) you are applying for.

3. Key words to use

Use words that reflect change, such as:  improve, increase, promote, gain, more, better, stronger, less of, reduce, decrease, etc…

Support 4 Community Projects is a social enterprise specialised in giving practical, grassroots advice for social enterprises, community groups and small charities. We help these groups bid successfully for funding.  Julia Witting and Corinna Hartwig take time to listen to you and understand your project plans, and we work with you to make them become reality!

In order to access funding for your projects, Support 4 Community Projects uses a creative “funding mix” approach. This service is called the Funding Doctor. We provide you with hands-on, project-specific support to help you find funding faster.

We also assist with community and open space consultations, funding application health checks and facilitation and training. To find out how we can help you and your project, please check out http://www.support4communityprojects.co.uk or phone us on 020 8144 0194 with no obligations.