This document discusses building positive relationships with funders. It provides tips for various stages of the funding cycle, including preparation, contacting funders, applying for funding, receiving grant awards, stewardship after receiving funding, and impact reporting. Key recommendations are to thoroughly research and understand the funder, clearly meet their criteria and funding priorities, maintain open communication throughout the process, promptly fulfill any reporting requirements, and keep funders informed of how their support is making a difference.

1. Building positive
relationships with
funders
Alan Eagle

2. Why bids succeed
1. Clearly meet priorities and met all the other criteria.
2. Asked for the right kind of funding and amount.
3. Demonstrated what immediate and long term differences would be
achieved with the funding, preferably backed up with evidence.
4. Evidence of need (rather than simply asserted there was a need
with no evidence of having consulted service users, demonstrated an
awareness of what services were already in place or what gaps there
were in provision).
5. Part of a coherent funding strategy (rather than just give us the
next bit of money so that we can keep going).

3. Why applications fail
1. Didn't fully meet criteria.
2. Didn’t return evaluation on previous grant.
3. Didn't include everything asked for (this may be a break down of
the budget, your audited accounts, evidence of need, etc.)
4. Asked for wrong type of funding.
5. Received after the closing date.

4. Relationship building with funders
Preparation
Impact Contacting
reporting funders
Funding
cycle
Stewardship
Application
Grant
awarded

5. Preparation
• Good relationship building starts before you even
contact the funder
• Get to know the funder – website, published articles,
news stories, etc,
• What’s new / changing for the funder
• Read and understand the published guidance

6. Contacting the funder
• Funders should make it clear if they welcome contact
and by what means
• Have a valid point to raise
• Take advantage of funding events, receptions and other
opportunities

7. Application
• First impressions
• Attention to detail
• Let your preparation shine through
• Treat the funder as an individual
• Does the budget add up, is it logical

8. Grant offer
• How you respond at this stage is crucial
• Timely
• Show that the support is valued and welcome
• Ensure that you understand the reporting requirements

9. Stewardship
• Of the grant and the funder
• Keeping track of the grant – how and when it is spent
• Keep you funder informed if things change or go wrong
• Current funders can be your most eloquent advocates
• They can also be your harshest critics

10. Impact reporting
• We donate money to make a difference
• Help us to understand what specific difference we have
made
• If you can’t meet the reporting requirements don’t take
the money
•Failure to report impact can seriously damage your
standing with other funders

11. In conclusion
1. Research the funder – website, guidelines,
publications. Treat them as an individual.
2. When contacting the funder briefly summarize what
you want to ask for. Invite their response. Keep to the
point and keep it short.
3. Passion really communicates. Stories help.
4. If things go wrong involve your funder immediately.
5. Meet your funders requirements for reporting.