Writing and evaluating proposals for funding can be quite a time-consuming effort for everyone involved, so we've come up with a process that should help save time and get suitable proposals turned around more quickly.
First things first!
Before you do anything else, please get in touch with us about your idea to see if it meets our criteria – you can do this by calling us on 0131 247 6801.
You are welcome to speak to us before putting your proposal down on paper, or if you are unsure about whether it will be a priority for the Trust. We may be able to help refine the proposal or explain why it is unlikely to meet our criteria.
What we need to know
This is basically what we need to know so that we can make a decision on whether to ask to send us a formal proposal (or not):
- The name of your organisation and what you do.
- Your proposed activity (e.g. 'to expand an existing befriending service').
- Your proposed clients and where they are (e.g. 'children aged 8-16 in Glasgow referred by other agencies').
- How long you will carry out your proposed activity (e.g. '12 months starting in June').
- The names and roles of any proposed partners (e.g. 'the local secondary and primary schools').
- What you aim to achieve and your desired outcomes for your clients (e.g. 'to reduce isolation, to build their self confidence').
- How you plan to monitor and evaluate your activity to ensure it meets these aims (e.g.' using the evaluation toolkit for mentoring and befriending projects.').
- Roughly how much money you think you'll need and what it is for (e.g. 'salary for part-time coordinator plus cost of activities').
If it makes it easier for you, feel free to attach an application you have made to another funder.
We very much recommend you speak to us before taking a lot of time to put your proposal down on paper. We may be able to help refine the proposal or explain why it is unlikely to meet our criteria.