Back to basics

Since its creation in 1988 the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland has been involved in supporting the arts. From an early stage we have been more than a grant-maker, with a history of advocacy for the arts and encouraging private sector investment in the arts in the north-east of England. We started with the creation of a sponsors’ club in 1991 to support and encourage business sponsorship of the arts, which quickly grew to providing training, networking and advice. For a time we worked closely in partnership with Arts & Business and delivered its activities in the region. As our support and expertise developed to cover individual giving, including crowdfunding, governance and more, we created Culture Partnerships to encompass all our activities.

When it comes to offering advice on approaching trusts and foundations, we can bring our own experience as a foundation and a funder as well as the knowledge we have gained from working closely with regional and national funders. When talking to arts organisations about applying to trusts and foundations, we tend to strip things back to the basics and state some of the obvious.

Get your board on board: This is important for two reasons. First, your board needs to understand the activity you are applying for funding for so it can support your approach. Second, remember that funders may look at your governance and can take good or bad governance into account when making a decision. This may get even more important following high-profile stories like Kids Company.

Do your research: Look at what the trust or foundation has funded before by reading its website and annual report.

Talk to others: If a trust or foundation has funded an organisation you know (or at least feel comfortable talking to), talk to them.

Read the guidelines: You’ll be surprised how many people clearly haven’t read the guidelines. If you’re not sure about something, get in touch with the trust or foundation. Not all trusts and foundations can provide help but you’d be surprised how many do and are keen to do so. And then read the guidelines again just to make sure you’re really, really clear. Get a board member to read them too.

Don’t give up if there’s not an arts/culture programme: Most organisations will know this but we’re always surprised how many don’t think laterally. Your activity may tick the boxes of other programmes and you’re just using the arts to address them.

Don’t try and fit a square peg in a round hole: If your activity doesn’t fit the criteria move on as you’re only wasting your time.

Be bespoke: Don’t just copy and paste wholesale from another application. Many elements may be the same but fit the application to the funder. Show that you’ve done your research and that you’ve read the guidelines.

Be concise but answer the questions: Some funders set wordcounts, some ask for a set number of pages while others don’t set anything. Whatever they do, think about what they want to know, not what you want to tell them. They may be looking at hundreds or even thousands of applications a year so make that task easier by being concise and to the point.

Be clear: Jargon and flowery language does not hide a bad application.

Be realistic with how much you ask for: Think about and apply for what you need for the activity and not how much is available.

Don’t forget about core funding: Many trusts and foundations support core funding (probably more than you think), and it’s likely even more will in the future.

Get someone else to read your application: Pass the guidelines and the application to someone who hasn’t been looking at it day in day out. A board member or two is a good start but also people who know nothing about the activity. Ask them if it makes sense and if they have any questions. If they do, ask yourself whether the answers need to be inserted in the application.

Don’t send anything you’ve haven’t been asked to send: Everyone wants to make an impression. You’ll have lots of leaflets and photographs and films and other stuff, but unless you’re asked for it don’t send it.

Think about how you present yourself to the world: Funders may do their own research. They’ll look at your website so make sure it’s up to date.

Adam Lopardo is Director of Partnerships and Ellie Turner is Principal Advisor, Culture at Community Foundation.
www.communityfoundation.org.uk