Researching sources of funding
Fundraising professionals agree that the most important step in the fundraising process is researching funding sources.
To assess its likelihood of getting funding accurately, an organisation needs to be aware of the priorities and procedures of the funders who it might seek funding from.
Before you start researching you need to:
- Have an idea for the project
- Know the area in which the project will take place
- Be aware of the changes your project wishes to achieve
- Know who the users will be
- Know what activities the project will undertake
Tips for researching funders
- The more details you have about what you are fundraising for, the more meaningful your research results will be.
- Once you've identified possible sources of income, look more closely at the guidelines to clearly check what the funder's current priorities are. They might have a website with up-to-date information so it's worth searching the internet.
- Look at their funding history for clues to what types of organisations they have funded in the past. This information should be available in their annual report if it is not on the website.
Resources to help with funding research
GRANTfinder
GRANTfinder is a database that provides comprehensive information on UK and EU financial provision including grants, subsidies, loans, venture funding and other incentives to voluntary and community groups and charities.
GRANTnet
GRANTnet is an online database that helps organisations identify funding sources for specific projects.
Users will have to register to gain access to the database. Once the registration process is complete, users will be emailed a password.
After that, the system is simple to use. You answer a few questions about the organisation and project and GRANTnet will provide an overview of all the schemes available.
(Please note that LVSC is no longer providing additional information to users of GRANTnet)
funderfinder
funderfinder specialise in information and advice about charitable trusts and foundations that fund in the UK. If you're not looking for charitable funding, or you're not based in the UK, this website may not be of much use to you.
Learn more about funderfinder.
trustfunding.org.uk
Trustfunding details all trusts included within DSC and CAF publications and is updated regularly throughout the year.
Learn more about trustfunding.org.uk.
See also Funding sources/trusts and foundations for additional information.
governmentfunding.org.uk
This website site aims to provide a common point of access to Government grant funding for the voluntary and community sector.
Learn more about www.govermentfunding.org.uk
See our Funding sources/central and local government for additional information.
lotteryfunding.org.uk
Lottery Funding is a joint website run by all Lottery funders in the UK. It allows you to search information on current funding programmes.
Learn more about www.lotteryfunding.org.uk
See our Funding sources/lottery funding for additional information.
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Page last reviewed: 20th April 2010