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

Cluster Schools
There may be money especially assigned to work that involves a selection or all schools in a cluster. Arts projects fit well into working across different sites and with different age groups.

PTA
The involvement of the PTA and governors in organising ways to raise funds can be essential to the success of a project. Small amounts of money can be used for one day workshop as seed funding to help towards applying for more money.

Grants and Funds
There is a list of grants and funds in this pack. It may also be worth subscribing to Practical Funding for School’ visit www.practicalfunding.com for more information.

Sponsorship
Attracting businesses to provide financial or ‘in-kind’ support must be a two way process – they will not give something for nothing. This is a not an easy way of gaining financial support. There is a draft letter in this pack.

Arts Education Agency
Your Arts Education Agency can offer further support and advice for funding your project.