Looking for funding
A lot of the support we provide is in helping community groups to find funding for their activities. The world of funding can seem vast and confusing but the key to successful fundraising is in the planning and preparation.
Planning your Project
Before even thinking about where to look for funding it is essential to put together a clear plan of what you aim to do, how you're going to do this and what you need in order to make this happen.
Anyone thinking of funding your organisation and work will want to know that they are putting their money into something that's necessary, is what the community want and is well thought out.
Grant Funding
There are many different sources of funding available all with varying deadlines, criteria, application processes.
It can be hard to keep apace of what is available at any one time. The best trick is to know how and where to look for funding sources.
Leicestershire Funding Toolkit
This is a free online resource with various information about applying for funding and an online database listing funders with a search function.
J4b Grants
You can register for free to use the j4b online database to search for funders. You can also register for weekly funding updates to be sent to your email address.
Funder Finder
This is a catalogue of all UK trust funds which you can run detailed searches using specific criteria. Call the Group Support helpline at VAL to book an appointment to use this computer search facility.
The Directory of Grant Making Trusts is the hard copy version that goes alongside FunderFinder and is also available for groups to look through at VAL.
East Midlands Funders Index
A downloadable booklet listing funders in the East Midlands
Grant funding is just one way of financing activities and certainlly not the only way. Looking at alternatives has many advantages including greater independence, longer term sustainability for your organisation and helps avoid bureaucracy and form filling.
Support from VAL
We offer a wide range of support to community groups from helping put together project plans, to finding funds and one to one support in completing the funding applications. We also have a wide range of resources available on request. Please contact our Group Support helpline for further information.
Developing Funding proposals
VAL staff members can offer support to groups in developing their funding proposals. We will point you in the right direction, comment on draft proposals, and offer best practice tips. Frequently, especially when a larger funder announces a new programme we will run open workshops for groups who may want to apply. See the news/events section of this website for the next planned workshop.
Preparing detailed Fundraising and Business plans
VAL staff members can offer support to groups in developing their Fundraising and Business plans. These are likely to be in the form of a "charged for" consultancy from VAL staff, or through referral to local voluntary sector consultants, or to private sector volunteers (through Leicestershire Cares). There is some online advice and guidance on planning from Funderfinder and the Finance Hub. Contact VAL staff for further information.