We are not necessarily looking for glossy professional bids and understand that your application will vary according to the size of organisation and the project. The following lists the areas that must be covered – if you fail to do so we will not consider your application:

1. Organisation overview

   1.1 Name and contact details including:

   • Name, address, charity number (state if exempt from requirement to register);
   • name of main contact, telephone and email.

   1.2 Background and overview to include:

   • a very short history of the charity, when it was founded and why for instance;
   • overarching aims and objectives;
   • if part of a larger national, regional or international organisation, please provide details;
   • numbers and relevant information about clients/beneficiaries (this might include geographic location, age group etc); and
   • numbers of staff; and volunteers (and an indication of the areas in which they help).

2. Additionally for project grants

   2.1 Project description Explain what you want a grant for/towards including:

   • why it is necessary;
   • who will benefit and how;
   • how you will deliver it; and
   • how it meets our funding priorities.

   2.2  Give the total cost and:

   • include a breakdown of the main items of expenditure, including the VAT position (explain if reclaimable or not);
   • tell us how you intend to raise the funding and how much raised so far; and
   • if you have other applications outstanding, tell us how many and for how much.

   2.3  Contingency plan. Explain what you intend to do if you fail to raise all the funds.

   2.4  Timetable. Tell us your timescale for raising funds and when you aim to start and complete the project.

   2.5  Annual accounts. You must include your latest audited accounts and annual review (if you have one). If your financial reserves are not clear in the accounts, please provide further details. If your reserves are greatly under or over policy we would like to know why.

   2.6  Other information. Please include any other information which you feel will assist us in judging your application. This could include for example a copy of your newsletter, or short promotional/ advertising leaflets.

3. Additionally for unrestricted grant applications

   3.1  Your need. Tell us why you need unrestricted funding. Has income reduced? Has expenditure increased? Please give us details and explain the reasons.

   3.2  How you will use the funds. While any grant will be unrestricted we know that such funding may enable you to undertake a small project otherwise unaffordable and if this is the case include brief details of the project and its cost.

   3.3  Future funding. Our policy on awarding unrestricted grants will be kept under review as we do not want to encourage reliance on us for core funding, so please do tell us how you plan to raise such funding in future years. We do however recognise the current economic pressures on charities and will continue to award unrestricted funding to charities who can justify requests.

   3.4  Accounts. We need a clear understanding of the charity’s financial situation so please ensure you include:

   • latest audited accounts and annual review;
   • draft accounts for last complete financial year (if applicable and available);
   • budget summary for the current year including impact on reserves; and
   • clear details of free and designated (non-fixed asset) reserves and an explanation of your reserves policy. The more adequate your reserves may appear, the fuller the explanation should be as you will need a convincing case to persuade us of your need.

   3.5   Other information. Please include any other information which you feel will assist us in judging your application. This could include for example a copy of your newsletter, or short promotional/ advertising leaflets.

4. If you wish to talk through a potential application then please contact us in the Grants Office either by email or by telephone on 020 8941 0450. It is only manned part time so email is sometimes quicker.

5. Applications may be submitted as soon as you have all relevant information: see How to Apply