Ever wonder why that grant you applied for ended up on the funding assessor\u2019s reject pile? You followed all the instructions, you spent hours creating a proposal, a budget, a project plan, you filled out that application form to the letter, even submitted it before the deadline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So why wasn\u2019t it successful? Here are some possible reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re applying for funding, you\u2019re not applying to boost your business, or to give your community the infrastructure\/services they need \u2013 you\u2019re applying for funding to deliver something that meets the needs of the funding body. The funding body has identified a gap or some outcome they want to achieve and that is what you need to focus on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, a business can\u2019t ask for funding for a new piece of equipment because theirs has broken down. However, if there is a grant program that has a focus on job creation and economic development, then they can ask for funding that covers the new equipment if that equipment will enable the business to create a new product, access a new market and by doing so they will need to hire more staff and bring revenue into the local economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The assessor does not know you \u2013 even if they have actually heard of you, they still do not know the specific details of your past experience, qualifications etc and they cannot score you based on what they may remember of you \u2013 they can only score you for what you write in your application. Sell yourself. Now is NOT the time to be modest \u2013 you need to brag like you\u2019ve never bragged before!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need to tell them why you are the best person to do this project. Show off that edge that you have over your competitors, the one that will make funding your project a roaring success for the funding body (or the Minister) to gloat over in the press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a radical thought \u2013 maybe they asked the questions that they wanted to hear the answers to! So all you really needed to do was answer the questions they asked in clear, concise sentences that address each key point and provide evidence to back up your response. Assessors score your application against the criteria set out in the guidelines and application form. If you don\u2019t address those criteria, your application is likely to end up as a virtual basketball to dunk in the bin. Read the guidelines, read the application form, tick off the key points in the question as you answer them, make sure you have everything they ask for in terms of supporting documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n