Types Of Grant Makers

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again – no grant maker or grant opportunity is created equal!

This small yet significant fact presents as one of the biggest challenges in successfully securing the game changing funding that your organisation needs.

We’ll let you in on a secret: the key to solving this challenge is creating tailored applications… each and every time!

Many organisations try to be resource and time savvy by using slightly edited, off the shelf application content. But although this convenient approach may appear to be answering the application’s questions on the surface, we guarantee that regurgitating application content time and time again will not do your grant success rate any favours… because you won’t be clearly demonstrating how well you align with the grant maker and their priorities.

And demonstrating alignment is one of the most important keys to creating tailored applications.

Whilst you certainly can use off the shelf content as a starting point, the process for each grant application should always begin with (1) understanding exactly who the funding body is and (2) the drivers behind their grant making activities. This knowledge will then enable you to customise your content towards achieving an application that firmly connects the dots between:

1. Your funding need (the project),

2. Those who will benefit, and

3. The grant maker and its areas of focus.

Although the guidelines for each grant will certainly be a major source of information for you during this first step, understanding the different types of grant makers at the macro level is also vital. Each type of grant maker has their own driving motivation – and once you understand what that is, you’ll be able to identify which aspects of your project will need to be strongly emphasised… and how.

To give you a helping hand, we’ve listed some of the most common types of grant-makers, what they usually look for, and a brief example of each – read on to find out more!

Local Councils

Each Local Government Area (LGA) has an unique set of demographics and economic drivers that define exactly what their communities need to grow and thrive. As governing bodies of these areas, councils have a clear vision for the future of these communities, and seek to fund community driven projects that will complement council initiatives in powering these visions. In applying for a council grant then, grant seekers will need to highlight exactly how the proposed project aligns with the Council’s strategy and vision for their community.

Case Study: A Sunshine Coast based charity wanted to launch a monthly program designed to provoke positive community discussions around the legalities, practicalities, morals and ethics involved in death/dying. An ageing population and a need for initiatives to address this had been identified as critical issues in the local Council’s 10-year strategy.

One of our Impact Storytellers submitted an application to Council’s grant program on the basis that the proposed program would promote ‘positive ageing’ as a response to the ageing population. This grant was approved two years in a row.

Government (State & Federal)

State and federal government grants seek to support projects which not only benefit populations at the state or national level, but are also capable of contributing to objectives as outlined in state or national strategies. These grant opportunities are usually managed by the relevant government department – and so it is each department’s priorities and strategies that will show how you can demonstrate alignment.

Case Study: A Northern/Western Sydney based community organisation sought Multicultural NSW funding for a youth drumming program that incorporated Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

In line with Multicultural NSW’s strategic objectives to target multicultural youth, we highlighted that the organisation’s existing clients were predominately CALD and outlined how the proposed program would specifically cater for and benefit CALD youth. The application outcome is pending.

Foundations

Foundations usually manage and disburse funding left in trust or donated by private donors. Funding from these bodies can be on a local, state, national or international basis; and grants are distributed according to each foundation’s area of focus as outlined on their website and in the grant guidelines. One thing many foundations look for however, is the catalytic value of the proposal – in essence, projects that will create ongoing impact even beyond the funded period.

Case Study: Touring theatre company Poetry In Action sought support for some of its NSW touring activities from Vincent Fairfax Foundation (VFFF). Through relationship building, we discovered that VFFF had a strong preference for funding projects that would have a regional impact and/or benefit disadvantaged Australians.

Accordingly, we created an ask package which would promote increased access to the arts for regional and disadvantaged NSW youth through (1) touring to regional and remote schools throughout NSW and (2) subsidized show tickets for disadvantaged youth. We also demonstrated catalytic impact by highlighting research showing that early exposure to the arts is a key predictor of arts engagement during adulthood. This application ultimately secured $30,689.

Corporate

Growing numbers of companies are now delivering grant making as part of their corporate social responsibility programs. In making grants, most corporates seek proposals that (1) show a strong alignment with their existing business or customer base and (2) offer strong potential for marketing and local engagement opportunities.

Case Study:  Thread Together clothes the disadvantaged with brand new clothing donated by prolific fashion retailers. In an application to the ‘Better Living’ stream of Sunsuper’s Dreams For A Better World, we highlighted how Thread Together’s national expansion would improve the quality of life for disadvantaged Australians.

Because the grant opportunity was public voting based, we also made sure to highlight the robust audience reach of Thread Together’s marketing channels and outlined a marketing plan designed to encourage public voting. As a result, Thread Together were selected as finalists, and ultimately walked away with $20,000.

In combination with the relevant grant guidelines, the above information will help you begin thinking about how you can tailor your applications at both the macro (type of grant maker) and micro (grant guidelines) levels. Of course, that’s only just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to developing tailored grant applications – but where you’ve taken the time to consider how you can demonstrate alignment, you can be sure that you’ve started your application off on the best foot possible!