Funding Information and Links

 Writing a Funding Proposal

 Funding Proposal Considerations

Funding Information and Links

Funding can come from a number of different sources.  State and Federal Government, Churches, Foundations and Corporate Companies are places to search and seek for opportunities to enhance the work that you are currently doing.

When looking for funding it is important to find a money source that fits the project rather than a project that fits the money source.  There are plenty of websites that provide funding information, options and alternatives.  It is suggested that you undertake your own research either online or by talking with people.

Following is a listing of some available funding from the State and Federal Government. 

• GrantsLINK 
• Department of Communities - Queensland
• Generate - Queensland
• The source - Federal 
• Negotiating the Funding Maze - Queensland 

Following is a listing of organisations and philanthropic services that offer opportunities for funding in relation to young people at different times throughout the year. 

• Foundation for Young Australians
• Community Builders 
• Philanthropy Australia 
• Australian Clearinghouse for Youth Studies 
• Nescafe Big Break 
• The Telstra Foundation
• The Myer Foundation 
• Ian Potter Foundation

Writing a Funding Proposal

Writing funding submissions requires a lot of work - they take time to develop as it is not just the writing of the proposal itself but all the work that leads up to the development of the idea, writing of the submission and implementation of the project.

Funding proposals are assessed by a panel of people who represent the funding body and stakeholder groups.  Each funding panel usually has one independent community representative to ensure a transparent and open process.

The assessment panel's role is to read a large number of proposals in a relatively short period of time. The panellist individually marks each application and places them in order of highest scoring to lowest.  Each of the marks are collected, collated and averaged before the panel sits to make a decision based on regional allocations and available funding.

Each proposal is marked and a decision is made based upon a number of clearly stated selection criteria.  It is important when writing a funding proposal that you find out the criteria identified in the information package and be sure address this.

Funding Proposal Considerations

COMMITMENT

Ensure that before applying for funding that you and your organisation are committed.  Commitment should not only be in the application process but whilst utlising and evaluating the funds.

Funding proposals need to be signed off by a Section Manager, Chief Executive Officer, Mayor or Management Committee; therefore there will be organisational systems that you need to follow.

Funding is generally required to be spent within a timeframe and within specific guidelines.  To meet these needs and to avoid burnout, it is important that the project is part of your work plan.

PROCESS

As an applicant you are entitled to phone or correspond with the funding body and funding officer for information about the funding package.  This is a great way to find out exactly what they are looking for and specific criteria in which assessments will be made.

You are entitled to phone or correspond with the funding body and funding officer for to receive feedback about the application.  This is a good idea (if you are successful or not) for the next time you are to write a proposal.
Always return your proposal on time, to the correct address and in the format that is requested by the funding body.  Be sure not to ask for something that is not able to be funded by the organisation.

Check out what you know about who is providing the funding - If it is a government department of a philanthropic organisation, it is important to find out what their aims, objectives, visions and beliefs.

Carefully plan all parts of your projects.  Developing a project over a period of time assists with collaboration between agencies.  It is common for government departments to encourage a organisations to work together rather than separately.

Be clear about what the project hopes to achieve, how you plan to achieve it, who are the stakeholders.

CONTENT

Each funding proposal requires different information. It is important to work out the funding body needs so that decision can be made.

It does not have to be an academic paper.  Funding submissions don't get funded on the use of big words.   It is best to keep the proposal simple, with a well thought out project plan supported by documentation and information.  It is the ideas that are important, how they were formulated, how they will be put into action and the potential outcomes.

Remember that your submission is one of a large number of submissions.  It is important to keep the information succinct, to the point, relevant.

Don't write too much but enough to ensure that the document answers some key questions:  Who, What, Where, Why, How, How much.

Outcomes are often very important to funding bodies so it always really important to include what you hope the project money will achieve for the user group, organisation and funding body.

Details of the budget need to be accurate.  Maybe you can get someone with book-keeping or accounts experience to check it.

Letters of support always look favourable.  Be sure to get the supporters to clearly state why this project is a good idea and what benefit it will be to the population and / or its service.

TIPS

Plan ahead - don't rush to create a funding proposal or project.  Give yourself plenty of time.

Always make sure you edit the document.  Be sure that it flows and has no spelling or grammar mistakes 
Talk with the funding body and /or funding officer to gather information about the funding requirements and information package.

Use clear, simple language by avoiding jargon and explaining acronyms.

Don't exaggerate, hide information or "pad" the proposal with unnecessary or incorrect information
Back up statements with facts or data.

Read the submission package thoroughly to see exactly what they are looking for.

Check that the project fits the criteria for this funding.

Letters of support should be from a cross-section of government and community organisations and members of the community.

Some of this information was collated from Janet Shapiro’s “Writing a Funding Proposal Toolkit”