Funding

In order to fund your project you may need to raise money from various sources. More and more businesses, organisations and community groups, including schools, are finding they must raise funds to pay for various elements. Therefore more people are fighting to win smaller pockets of money, making the process time-consuming, difficult and often unrewarding.

Allow time to secure funding before a project starts, some grants will not fund projects that have started.

You must keep at it and think of new ways and exciting ways that will attract funds to helping your particular project.

Small amounts of money are fundamental as match-funding to lever larger amounts into the budget. Some funders will only give money if they see that other avenues have been explored and won.

Many funders have a clear set of objectives that those applying need to fulfil: by browsing a website or making a telephone call you will ensure that your school/project fits their criteria. Elements to consider:

• Levels of deprivation
• Special needs of those taking part (excluded, gifted and talented, disabled, etc.)
• Provision of skills or experiences beyond curriculum
• Rural, isolated geographical position
• Cross generational impact
• Positive outcome for whole community
• Sustainability after initial project

Subscribe to Fundraising for Schools for more information and advice - www.fundraisingschools.co.uk

Other websites that may be of help include: www.fundingcentral.org.uk - a free website for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises, with access to thousands of funding and contract opportunities, plus tools and resources supporting organisations to develop sustainable income strategies appropriate to their needs. Managed by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. And another useful site is www.grantsexpert.co.uk, which can help anyone find grants under a whole range of headings including Arts, Education, Environment, Family and Home.

Grants and Funds
Below is an extensive list of grants and funds suitable for arts education work, which can also be downloaded as an information sheet from the guidepack page.