Make use of local community workers, development workers at Councils for Voluntary Service (CVS), Rural Community Councils (RCC) or specialist funding advice agencies. The National Associaltion for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) directory can help you to find the agencies in your area. They may be able to help you plan what you want, advise on how to make applications, help you to find the right funder and provide support and training on issues like constitutions and financial management.

These agencies will also know about easy-access funding that may be available to your group, such as local community chests, small grants schemes, community foundations or start-up funds for your particular field of interest or activity. These sorts of funding sources are often the best places to start your fundraising; they usually have more straightforward application processes and quicker decision-making procedures.