Funders vary in the detail of what they want to see in an application for funding. Some small grant funders have short and simple application forms, some ask for a letter. Larger grant makers such as some Lottery programmes have application forms that are very detailed and will look at great depth into your organisation and project. Some grant makers provide very specific criteria explaining exactly what they want from an application, others provide very little guidance.

However, all funders need applications to:

• Be concise, clear and easy to read
• Be credible and convincing
• Provide all the information needed to make a decision.

For small groups seeking small grants from charitable grant makers who ask for a letter, the process of applying can be really simple. An example of a letter for a small grant has been provided at the end of this overview to use as a template guide.

All funders – whatever their size – have limited time and resources to use in their decision making and most receive more applications than they are able to fund. They have to be able to assess the applications that best meet their criteria and are most likely to make good use of their funds. They have to decide this quickly and based only on the information you provide.

Put yourself in their shoes and think about your application from their point of view.

In general, you should always assume when writing an application form that the funder does not know about the kind of work you do, the area you work in or the people you are hoping to help. You should assume this even if your organisation is well known or recognised for the work that you do. You should never assume, however, that the funder will not spot anything that is not accurate or true; they read a lot of applications and make a lot of grants so most of them will have a good working knowledge of typical costs and of current needs and trends.

You need to allow plenty of time to develop your application. A simple application for a small grant should be relatively easy to write but you might still need to check out various details before you can finish it. A more complicated application for a larger amount of money may take considerably longer to develop. Check when the funder’s deadlines for applications are and allow enough time to meet them. And check whether your organisation has applied to the funder before or had funding from them in the past. If you have had prior contact with them, mention it in your application.