Page 22 - NAS Members Guide to Funding

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4. FINDING THE RIGHT FUNDER
contact details by visiting:
LEARNING OUTCOMES
At the end of this section of the guide, your association will be able to:
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Find and engage with your two local
Funding Routes
Navigate local council funding opportunities Search for grant making trusts and foundations without wasting time
FUNDING ROUTES
“There are so many funders, how do we find the right one for us?” is a common cry from all types of voluntary organisations and allotment associations are no exception. Finding the right funder is crucial to funding your idea because each funder has its own rules about what it will and will not fund (see funding criteria, part 5). Your association could waste a lot of precious time and effort on applications to funders whose criteria
you do not actually meet – only to be rejected. This is where following a “funding route” can help.
A funding route is a local (to you) supported pathway to funders. A funding route can help you find local, regional and national funders. Following a funding route can help you find the right funder right at the very
start your funding journey. There are two tried and tested funding routes in the UK that many allotment associations (and other voluntary organisations) follow and which NAS recommends:
Funding Route: Support services for local voluntary organisations
Often called“Council forVoluntary Services”. Depending upon your association’s geographic location in the UK, this funding route may be known by a slightly different name. You can find your local organisation’s
The services offered are generally the same: advice, support/training and networking events are provided for local, small, volunteer-led, organisations such as allotment associations.
This significant funding route can provide access to specialist staff in your area trained in grant funding and may provide access to database searches of funders which meet your needs/wants. It may provide training on e.g. how to complete funding application forms. They may also distribute some grant funding and usually work closely with local councils too, hence, have specialist knowledge of what is available locally right now.
Funding Route: Community Foundation
Many grant funders have chosen community foundations to administer and distribute grants on
their behalf. This means you apply to the community foundation, instead of applying directly to the funder. This amounts to around £100 million pounds per year. Community foundations offer a wide range of grants, not just from private trusts but also from government and businesses. In other words, a one-stop shop for grant funding. The funding priorities of each community foundation do vary. However, this is the only national network of funders with a physical presence in every part of the UK. Also provided is local advice (e.g. about criteria), training, networking events, and guidance
on finding the right funder. You can find your local community foundation and contact details by visiting UK Community Foundations
England: National Association for Voluntar y and
Wales: Wales Council for Voluntar y Action
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Community Action
Scotland: Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations
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