When you begin to plan a project for which you need funding, a key part of the process is putting together a FUNDING PROPOSAL.

A funding proposal:

• explains who you are;
• details your project;
• is a way of making sure that everyone involved with the project, including your committee/members, has the same information;
• can be attached to funding application forms;
• is a key document when you approach potential sponsors;
• ensures that all of your applications are consistent, because they use the same information.

Once you have developed your proposal you will have most of the information needed to complete funding application forms or seek sponsorship.  In the long run, this effort put in at the beginning will save you time.

REMEMBER .

Funders are people too.  They are faced with weighing up your needs against the needs of hundreds of others - and almost everyone is worthy.  Target your applications to the funders who deal with your kind of purpose/need.  Tell your story as well as you can.  Meet the funding agency's requirements as well as you can.  And persevere.  You believe in the importance of what your organisation is doing.  Convince the funders that your project is a worthwhile investment and that you will make the most of every dollar they grant you.  They want the best for the communities they work in, just like you. 

Good luck!

STEPS TO FUNDING SUCCESS

1. Pre-plan your funding needs, at the beginning of the year, for the whole year and then check out all possible sources of funding. Start with the FundView, Breakout and Corporate Citizen programmes available at the Taupo, Turangi and Mangakino libraries (see page 6).
    
2. Get copies of applications forms from your list of possible funders and start working on them as early as possible.  Some of what you need to do - for example, getting quotes - takes time.
    
3. Prepare a funding proposal to define your project and help you answer the funder's questions in your application.
    
4. Ensure that you have answered every question fully, with the information asked for.
    
5. Check and double check that what you write in your application is accurate and easily understood. Remember that the people who read this may not have any prior knowledge of your organisation.
    
6. Make absolutely sure that any documentation requested - for example, audited accounts, Certificate of Incorporation - is attached to your application.   Do not think that you will get away with missing material out or sending it later.
    
7. Always meet the funder's deadline.
    
8. Keep details of the applications you have made. This record will help when you are asked to identify the grants already applied for as part of other applications.
    
9. Keep copies of all applications. The information on them may be helpful for applications to other agencies. Keep them at least until you hear if you were successful and have followed up with a thank you and details of the completed project.