Always refer back to the grant details in your application. Again, it is not about you but them.
We have discussed the five main issues when applying for funding or grants within the arts sector and identified that the main reason for the failure the lack of preparation given to the application. I want to expand on each step more in the next five posts.
The five steps were first to identify which grants you would like to apply for well before their submission dates and to leave any grants with a submission date within the next two weeks. Secondly, look to see if the grant applies to you. check out the award details. Thirdly, look at the amount of the award. Financially, does it fit with what you are doing? Fourthly, read the application form and make a checklist of all the supporting documents or information needed to apply. Finally, fifthly, step five asks that when you come to write the application, read the application carefully and make sure you refer to the items mentioned in the remit of the award.
Recap of step one
Remember rule number one, it is critical that you identify your grant well in advance, place the dates for submissions on a calendar, and work backwards, looking at what you need to complete to achieve that submission date.
Recap of step two
Step two asks applicants to look and see if the grant applies to you. Check out the details. Does the grant really fit with the work that you do?
Recap of step three
Step three asks you to look at the amount of the award. Financially, does it fit with what you are doing? For example, even if the maximum award is €200,000, should you be applying for €200,000? Think about it: if you only are looking for an award of €20,000, only apply for €20,000.
Recap of step four
Step four asks you to read the application form and make a checklist of all the supporting documents or information needed to apply.
Moving Forward to step five
Having taken steps one, two, three and four on board, let’s look at step four. Step five asks that when you come to write the application, you read the application and refer to the items mentioned in the remit of the award. Again, people often write their application form based on what they, the producer, want to put down and not what the grant application wants. As far as I know, you would never write a cover letter for a job application that does not refer to the advertised job specifics. Yet time and time again, people complete applications for grants without referring back to the remit of the grant.
Going a little deeper into step five
The critical part of this is to read the application form and the application notes thoroughly. I know it is time-consuming but a critical part of the process. When going through this, make notes on what the grant is for. Are there any nuisances or specifics that you need to address? Remember, the funding body will receive far too many applications for the grant they have on most occasions, so they need to look for a valid reason why they should not fund your project. Only by answering the specifics of the grant can you show that you have a clear understanding of what is required, that you have the necessary experience to complete the project and that you have developed a clear set of objectives that you can report on should your application be successful. You should state your reasons for applying, show how these fit in with the award and show that you are building a plan to deliver a successful project. However, the plan must be based on their requirements, not yours.
Plan, plan, plan. Be strategic!
Building a plan will help you understand the grant process and the work required to apply, complete the work and finalise the grant reporting aspects. It will also indicate the timescales involved from application to finish, as this will be critically important in working out your work schedule. Finally, understanding your work scale will help you to plan for better and bigger projects.
Help with your applications and planning
Ian Oliver
Head of Operations
Head of Operations at Letcombe Production I have been working in the arts and culture sector for over 20 years in Ireland. I am passionate about business development for artists and creatives as well as building totally inclusive societies.
Letcombe Production
The Digital Agency For Arts & Cultural Organisations
Letcombe Production is dedicated to the arts, creative and social enterprise sectors. Our website has dedicated reels on running your creative or artistic practice as a business, articles and opportunities for artists. In addition, we can organise digital media, marketing, project management, grant writing, application assessment, and tools to help you run your creative and artistic practice.
Working predominantly with arts and social enterprises, Letcombe Production can assist in all getting projects from idea to distribution. We can look after any size of project.
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