Applying for Research Grants

Philanthropy Australia

Philanthropy…the voluntary planned donation of money, time, information, goods and services to improve the wellbeing of humanity and the community

• Represents the philanthropic sector

• Promotes the contribution of philanthropy by growing the understanding of the community, business and government

• Inspires and supports new philanthropists

• Increases the effectiveness of philanthropy through the provision of information, resources and networking opportunities

• Promotes strong and transparent governance standards in the philanthropic sector

Philanthropic Foundations

• Foundations are independent entities

• Important legal constraints govern foundations

• All foundations are different with separate aims and methods

• Most foundations do not and cannot frequently change their aims

• They like to “own” a project

• Foundations like to co-fund

• … but they shouldn’t be viewed as just another pot of money

• Many will not fund what they regard as a government responsibility

Grant Writing: the essentials

• Research and target only appropriate funders

• Know what you want to do, why and how

• Make your point with evidence not emotion

• Follow the guidelines and keep it short and concise

• Make sure your budget is detailed and clear

• Supply all the requested information

• Be clear on your charitable or DGR status

• Focus on the impact your project will have

Target only appropriate funders

• Research is an essential part of the process – not an add-on

• The scattergun approach is a waste of everyone’s time

• Make a shortlist - fewer funders, but more targeted applications

• Obtain the funder’s guidelines and stick to them

• Make contact to discuss the project and your application

• When in doubt, ask!

What, why and how

Prove to the funder the following things:

• Why this research should be done

• What the benefit will be

• Why you are the right organisation/department to do the job

• What reason you have to believe this will provide results

• How this fits in with the funder’s priorities and principles

• How you will be able to show you made a difference

Evidence not emotion

• Is there supporting evidence to back up your claims?

• Statistics (eg ABS, AIHW, local government)

• Independent studies (eg, university research centres)

• Your own observations (eg, 40% increase in referrals)

• Remember to note your sources

• Don’t rely on emotion – convince with facts

• Document review and awareness of nonprofit partners

Follow the Guidelines

• Contact the funder first for guidelines (if contact details supplied)

• Make sure you follow the guidelines

• Guidelines are there to help you self-select and conserve resources

• Follow the suggested structure – and keep it short!

• Keep it under 5 pages

• Foundations are lean on staff, so be concise

• Add attachments for further information & clarification

• When in doubt, ask!

Be short and concise

• Yours is only one of many applications, so make it easy to read

• You should be able to summarise it in a paragraph

• Four pages total (plus a cover page and attachments)

• Include supporting documentation as attachments

• Be sure you’ve included everything the funder asked for

• Make it legible

• Use headings, subheadings, dot points, explain your jargon

• Don’t clutter it up with pictures or unnecessary information

Budget

• Approach multiple funders if necessary to make up total project budget

• Let them know who else you’ve approached for this project

• Inform them when full or partial funding comes through

• Always ask for a set amount and let them know how it will be spent

• Itemise the budget – who is being paid for under “salaries” and for how long?

• Attach quotes if applicable

• Don’t ask for too much – or for too little!

Supply requested information

• Incomplete applications cannot be processed without information

• They also waste your time and the foundation’s time

• Foundations cannot just operate on trust

• Trustees have a duty to ensure the funds are being used appropriately

• Allowing enough time for your application to be looked at means that you have a chance to rework it if requested

Know your tax status

• Most foundations legally must fund certain types of organisation

• Some must fund only TCC (tax concession charity) or DGR (deductible gift recipient) and some must fund organisations with both endorsements

• You must supply your notification(s) of endorsement

• There are two types of DGR – DGR 1 and DGR 2, or “doing” and “giving” DGR – most foundations can only fund DGR 1

• There is information on your notification which is not available on the Australian Business Register (so don’t just print & send your ABR entry)

• Ensure your notifications are filed somewhere accessible

Focus on impact

• The important thing to the foundations is that the work goes ahead and succeeds

• Show both numbers (how many helped) and less concrete results (changes in attitude or behaviour)

• How will you show you’ve made a difference?

• How will you share any knowledge that has come out of this project?

• Foundations need you to do the work as much as you need them to supply the money

• It’s the work you will carry out as a result that counts!

• It is the results of your work that is important to the funder – not your career or your organisation

Elements of an Application

• Cover Page

• Summary

• Organisation Details

• Issue/Need Background

• Project Description

• Budget

• Attachments

Cover Page

• Name of your organisation

• Contact details and a contact name

• Name of grantmaker applied to

• Amount requested

• Reason requested (title of project)

Summary/Abstract

• A single paragraph (less than 200 words)

• Sums up the whole submission in a single paragraph

• A useful exercise in brevity and expression

• An important part of the submission; the attention-grabber

Organisation

• Mission statement

• Brief outline of your department’s work

• Brief outline of your expertise

• Annual report/financials (attachment)

• Legal structure

• Board membership (attachment)

Issue/Need Background

• Why does the work need doing?

• What is the problem you are trying to solve – or the situation you’re trying to create?

• Is there evidence to back up your claim?

• What is the catchment area you’re working in?

Project Outline

• What are you proposing to do?

• What actions will take place as a direct result of you getting this funding?

• What is the time frame?

• Who will be in charge?

• What will the impact be – and how will you measure and demonstrate it?

Budget

• Detailed and itemised

• Include quotes if applicable

• Always list other sources of funding – approached and confirmed

• Inform when partial/full funding comes through

• Be sure you have asked for enough to do the project!

Contact Information

Level 10, 530 Collins StMelbourne Victoria 3000Australia

Tel (61 3) 9620 0200Fax (61 3) 9620 0199

pa@philanthropy.org.auwww.philanthropy.org.au

Assn. No. A0014980TABN 79 578 875 531