1. The first thing is to know if we can apply.
Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2024 8:31 am
Lessons learned from applying for funding
If there is one thing that all non-profit organizations would like, it is to always have the funding to develop the projects we dream of. However, if we are independent organizations, we know that funding is limited and many of us depend on competitive funds to continue operating.
Applying for a grant is far from simple. Even if it is a simple competition, with clear rules and application forms, we can make mistakes. There are always details, requirements to meet, documents to submit and, in general, we are against time, which increases the chances of making a mistake at some stage.
The first thing is to be sure that we can apply for the competition and that we meet all the requirements. There are often requirements regarding legal status or the institution's experience, for example. Let's not start working on an application if we are not clear about this point.
2. Clarify doubts and get to the consultation process.
In general, competitions have a consultation period. Most of the time we find out about funding at the last minute - hopefully we can avoid that! - but, even if there is little time left, it is important that we ask all the questions we have. If we do not have time to ask questions, we can request the response report that we should have access to. It is likely that someone has had the same question as us, and in this way we can resolve our doubts or concerns to prepare the best possible application.
If you don't have the experience of applying for a fund yet or you think you c singapore phone number list n improve your current applications, we want to share with you the five most important lessons we have learned when applying. We have recognized these lessons thanks to our five most frequent mistakes, because, although we apply for a large number of funds every year, there are mistakes we continue to make.
3. Understand the evaluation criteria in detail.
We should be able to understand the evaluation criteria in such a way that we can anticipate what grade or score we will have in each of them. By doing this analysis we will know where we are weakest, giving us time to correct errors. In general, it is recommended to apply only if we have good scores, even though it is likely that we will be awarded the fund without having the maximum evaluation. It may happen that there are few applicants or that there are evaluation criteria that are difficult to meet.
4. Make a budget that anticipates the money outflows we will have to face.
It is important to prepare a budget that anticipates the expenses we will incur. If we win the grant and we are missing adding costs, we will have two options: 1) modify the budget and sacrifice other items, if allowed, and 2) finance the additional cost with the organization's money or with our own pocket, which could harm the correct execution of the project.
5. Ask for feedback on the application.
Whether we win or lose a grant, it is important to know the score obtained. If we do not have access to a score, any feedback is useful and we must do everything possible to obtain it. Whether by writing an email, calling by phone or even requesting the information under the Transparency Law. This way we will be able to know where we failed and where we can improve for our next application.
If there is one thing that all non-profit organizations would like, it is to always have the funding to develop the projects we dream of. However, if we are independent organizations, we know that funding is limited and many of us depend on competitive funds to continue operating.
Applying for a grant is far from simple. Even if it is a simple competition, with clear rules and application forms, we can make mistakes. There are always details, requirements to meet, documents to submit and, in general, we are against time, which increases the chances of making a mistake at some stage.
The first thing is to be sure that we can apply for the competition and that we meet all the requirements. There are often requirements regarding legal status or the institution's experience, for example. Let's not start working on an application if we are not clear about this point.
2. Clarify doubts and get to the consultation process.
In general, competitions have a consultation period. Most of the time we find out about funding at the last minute - hopefully we can avoid that! - but, even if there is little time left, it is important that we ask all the questions we have. If we do not have time to ask questions, we can request the response report that we should have access to. It is likely that someone has had the same question as us, and in this way we can resolve our doubts or concerns to prepare the best possible application.
If you don't have the experience of applying for a fund yet or you think you c singapore phone number list n improve your current applications, we want to share with you the five most important lessons we have learned when applying. We have recognized these lessons thanks to our five most frequent mistakes, because, although we apply for a large number of funds every year, there are mistakes we continue to make.
3. Understand the evaluation criteria in detail.
We should be able to understand the evaluation criteria in such a way that we can anticipate what grade or score we will have in each of them. By doing this analysis we will know where we are weakest, giving us time to correct errors. In general, it is recommended to apply only if we have good scores, even though it is likely that we will be awarded the fund without having the maximum evaluation. It may happen that there are few applicants or that there are evaluation criteria that are difficult to meet.
4. Make a budget that anticipates the money outflows we will have to face.
It is important to prepare a budget that anticipates the expenses we will incur. If we win the grant and we are missing adding costs, we will have two options: 1) modify the budget and sacrifice other items, if allowed, and 2) finance the additional cost with the organization's money or with our own pocket, which could harm the correct execution of the project.
5. Ask for feedback on the application.
Whether we win or lose a grant, it is important to know the score obtained. If we do not have access to a score, any feedback is useful and we must do everything possible to obtain it. Whether by writing an email, calling by phone or even requesting the information under the Transparency Law. This way we will be able to know where we failed and where we can improve for our next application.