Shall we apply for a grant?
Key Questions:
• What do you want?
• What do you want it for?
• What will be the impact of your project?
• How much will make a difference?
• Does this fit with the RCHT Criteria?
Objectives:
The Ramble Worldwide Outdoor Trust aims to support and encourage access to the outdoors as well as outdoor activities and facilities for all communities by grant-funding projects, schemes, equipment, visits, activities and installations which:
• Encourage health and well-being for everyone through the provision of facilities and activities in the outdoors.
• Protect the provision of footpaths and other rights of way to access the countryside.
• Aim to conserve the beauty of the countryside and enhance people’s knowledge of it.
What do you want?
Start by looking at your funding – if you can, state a sum you want and back this up by demonstrating other funding streams. The trustees will want proof of your financial viability and preferably a set of accounts from previous years to show that you are making good use of funds you already have and are working within charity commission rules for saved capital. Is the amount you are asking for a micro grant of up to £500, a small grant ie up to £5000 or a large grant in the range £10000 or even more?
Clarity of your financial circumstances is essential
What do you want this money for?
Think very carefully about what you actually want this money for. Is it to fund a whole project or to be lost within a bigger plan? If so can you identify just part of the bigger picture which can be funded entirely by this grant.
The more you can demonstrate the need for your funding the more likely you are to be successful. A vague application which seems to be more in hope than is unlikely to succeed. The trustees need to be clear about your aspiration. Use a team of your members to help construct the application: can you send in pictures of the story so far, if it involves young people can we hear their voice?
What will be the impact of your project?
✓ Give a clear set of reasons for the applications.
✓ Who will be affected, how will they be affected?
✓ What can you do with the money that you can’t do without it?
✓ How many people will benefit and for how long?
How much will make a difference?
You will have stated how much you would like from your application but it is really helpful if you can give us a range: If you give us all the money we ask for we can do all of the above but 50% would allow us to do this……………..
We may wish to help you but not have enough funding to do all you ask but help us to understand what would make some difference.
How does this fit with the RCHT criteria
Read the criteria above carefully to make sure your application is a good match and include that link in your application. Remember we only have the evidence you give us so make sure that you are applying with an impressively clear document and not expecting us to know anything at all
For further information or advice you may wish to contact the Secretary: michaelduxbury@rhct.org.uk
Good Luck
The Trustees