Key factors for building a successful grant application.

After researching possible donors and funders for your charity, use this checklist to identify key points to consider before making a grant application.

Even though COVID-19 emergency funding opportunities have shorter and less involved application requirements, you will still need to give this some thought. This checklist will help your organization respond to potential questions from funders and be confident about your application.

You may not have each point completed or started. For example, you may not be able to give a full financial plan, but if you have agreed the basic costings and decided what action you will take to develop this plan, then you will be in a much stronger position to apply for a grant.

The Checklist: Key factors for successful funding applications

A strong vision and mission statement clearly expressing the difference your charity wants to make and how it will achieve this. With increasing competition for philanthropic funds, it’s important to be able to briefly and succinctly explain the impact your fundraising will have. If you already have a vision, update it to reflect how you plan to respond to the effects of COVID-19 and how you aim to help your beneficiaries going forward. 

A compelling and clear case for support conveying the need for your organization’s project activities or services; what your solution to the need is; and what outcomes your solution will provide. We have also produced some guidance on building a case of support and guidance on outputs and outcomes. 

Checklist for Grant Applications

A ‘shopping list’ of your project/activity/service costs and/or running costs broken down into easily identifiable chunks to be funded. 

Commitment of time and resources to fundraising from your leadership team and Board of Directors. It is important that your Directors understand that successful fundraising takes time and that resources are committed to fundraising across the organization.

Well organized administration and financial management. It’s essential to have people who are managing the administration, day to day financial transactions, coordinating fundraising activities, and communicating with donors. You will need to be able to show that your finances are well managed, including regular financial statements and annual reports and accounts. Guidance about how to register and run a charity, can be found at Canada.ca.

A fundraising plan should practically define how you intend to implement fundraising. Set out how much you aim to raise and for what purpose, by when, from whom, laid out in a clear document with dates and tasks listed. In your plan, consider several streams of fundraising income, and how they will work together to maximize benefit for your charity.

An implementation plan will help you deliver your fundraising plan; clearly identify who will take forward the actions and manage the milestones set out in your fundraising plan.

Make sure you are aware of and adhering to Government compliance and protocols. The Government of Canada Charities Directorate is responsible for promoting compliance with the income tax legislation and regulations relating to charities through education, service and responsible enforcement.

Clarity on who is responsible for fundraising in your charity. This may be one dedicated fundraiser or a wider team who share the load. It is important to be clear on who is responsible for delivering on fundraising targets, and that they have enough time and support to do so.

Thorough research and recording of possible donors and funders. Make sure you have a way of recording the causes supported by these potential funders and donors, how to apply, deadlines, and any requirements. We have developed some useful tips to help you to organize your research into possible donors and funders. You may want to separate the COVID-19 funders (as they are likely to have imminent deadlines) from ongoing, regular funders where your application is less time-critical.

A way to say thank you to donors and supporters. Make sure you have considered the various ways you can thank and recognize funders, such as a donor board, a mention in newsletters or social media posts.

Monitoring and evaluating the impact of your project is important to donors. Reporting your impact is a key part of successful fundraising, so consider how to do this and the key metrics you will focus on.

Consider how you will report back to the donor. Grant donors will expect to see evidence of the impact of their grant. Not all donors will ask for a follow-up report for their funding, but it is best to be prepared.

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