Introduction - Prepare your Community Group
Here are some key questions you will need to be able address before you start to raise funds.
Setting up your group/organisation
Is your group or organisation formally set up?
Does it have a name?
Does it have constitution?
Are you clear about what you intend to achieve?
Does it have a committee?
Does it have a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer?
Does it have a Bank Account?
If your answer to any of these is no, click here
Charitable status
Are you registered as a Charity? Do you need to be?
If you are unsure about Charitable status click here
Voluntary Organisations
Are you part of a larger organisation?
Are you a branch or regional office?
Are you a member of a umbrella organisation?
For advice for Voluntary organisations click here
Social Enterprise
Could what you intended to do be run as a business?
Will you have a product or service which you will sell?
Will any profit be ploughed back into the business for the benefit of your community?
If you need help with considering setting up a social enterprise click here for a case study which may help you.
Aims and Objectives
Do you know the difference between an aim and an objective?
Can you put into words what it is you want to achieve?
Do you know how to go about it?
How will you know if you have succeeded?
If you are unsure about Aims and Objectives If you are unsure about Aims and Objectives click here
Organisational development
If you suddenly had a lot of money does your group/organisation have:
- the people
- the experience
- the skills
- the support
to be able to go about achieving what you wish?
If you will need help with organisational development click here
Project Planning
Do you require funds for a specific project?
Do you know what you want to do with fund?
Do you know how you will complete the work you want to do?
If you want help with project planning click here
Budgeting
Can you provide a detailed budget of what you intend to do with the money you need?
Can you provide a detailed diary of what you intend to achieve, when and how much each stage will cost?
If you need help with budgeting click here
Working in partnership with other agencies
Are there other agencies that you could work with?
Do you have experience of working in partnership?
If you need help with considering a partnership click here for a case study which may help you.
Full Cost Recovery
Do you know how what all your costs are?
Will funding cover all these costs?
Will your project increase work and other expenses?
If you need help with full cost recovery click here
There is also a case study which may help you.
Check List
There is a check list to see if you are ready to search for funding.
To use the Check List click here
A Fundraising Plan
Do you know about the work fundraising involves?
Do you know who will be doing what and when?
If you need help with putting a fundraising plan together click here
Finding Funds
For an introduction to Finding Funds click here
