Applying for funds

To finance your initiative or project, you often have several options. There is a chance that you can also appeal to a (private) fund. These could be charities or a private fund where wealthy people feel that a certain topic is underexposed. You can choose to do this yourself but you could also choose to engage a professional fundraiser for this purpose. In any case, we would like to help you on your way with the information below and a list of tips on applying for funds. In addition, we have listed many possible grants and funds with different themes. Applying for a fund can differ because not all funds have the same rules. As a rule, the amount of money you can apply for affects the information you have to provide, the time it takes to assess your eligibility and the justification afterwards. When you want to apply for a fund it is very important that you read all the rules of the game carefully, see if you can qualify for it, what the deadlines are, the amount of the maximum amount you can apply for and how you do it. Always take this into account because there is a good chance that an application will not be considered if you are incomplete or late.

Methodology

When applying for a fund , you always follow the ground rules and conditions set from the fund . However, there are some basic elements that always recur. We have listed these below.

Step 1 - Your own initiative or project

First, you take a good look at the initiative or project you came up with, or your concept. Often you come up with something because you like it yourself or because you think it is for a good cause. Try floating above it and looking at it with different eyes; is your concept really adding value, and do other people like it? Also ask yourself if you are coming up with the concept at the right time. Determine in what areas it stands out from other and similar initiatives and projects. Once you have the concept well developed, you can also have others read it to see if they understand the plan. They may have additions or tips for you.

Step 2 - Determine what you need

In addition to step one, take a closer look at exactly what you need. It is not the intention that you completely blind yourself to applying for funds. See this contribution primarily as an addition to what you already have, or in other words, a coverage of costs that cannot be realized in any other way. Therefore, first make a budget yourself. In it you list all the costs and indicate what income you expect to generate around your initiative or project. The latter is very important because a fund will almost always ask how you engage in cultural entrepreneurship and what forms of co-financing you have.

Step 3 - Which fund will you apply for?

There are many different funds and it very much depends on your initiative or project whether you are eligible. You should always first look at the rules or conditions set out by the fund. Generally you can find this on the website of that fund or you can request it from a contact person, if that information is mentioned. The rules and conditions may vary, but it is good to check what is written about the following points of interest and concepts:

Do you qualify for the fund?

It's a waste if you apply when you have no chance at all. Generally, for example, it is important that you are not a for-profit organization. There may also be requirements that you have been operational for at least a number of years, that you can only receive a fund for a maximum of three consecutive years, or that you have a certain turnover. Of course, it is also important that your initiative or project fits the theme or objectives that belong to the fund .

The period

A fund almost always covers a time frame. Look carefully to see if your initiative starts or takes place within that time period.

The maximum amount to be awarded for all applications combined

Each fund has set a maximum amount that can be spent on all applications received in a given period. Sometimes the fund then decides to award on the date the application is received, and in some cases it means that each applicant receives slightly less than what is wanted.

The minimum and maximum amount to be requested

It always indicates the maximum amount you can apply for. Never exceed this because then the application is often not even considered. In some cases there is also a lower limit.

Eligible costs

There may be rules about what you can and cannot pay from this fund. For example, you may be allowed to spend it only on materials or on the program, but you may not use the allocated funds to pay for your own hours. If the latter is the case, then there is a good chance that the minimum and/or maximum hourly wage for certain positions is fixed.

Percentage of total budget

Most funds describe what the maximum share of that fund can be relative to the total budget. This is not a standard percentage so look at this carefully. If a fund can cover a maximum of 50% of the budget it means that for the remainder you must have your own income or co-financing.

Public outreach

For a fund , it is important to indicate the type of people you are reaching and the numbers involved. This does not only concern visitors to or participants in your project or initiative. It may also be that you have a large reach through the means of communication that brings the theme or that artistic discipline, for example, to the attention of intended target groups(and perhaps over a longer period of time).

Step 4 - Make the application to fund

Once you have read through everything concerning the particular fund you can start the actual application. Do not do this the day before but start on time. You may have to send certain documents along with the application that you need to request or have verified by third parties. It is always indicated what the issuer of the fund needs to assess your application. This varies per fund and in general, the higher the amount of money you need to apply for, the more you will need to submit. For example, the fund provider may determine whether you are financially sound and whether you can work professionally enough. In any case, you can take into account that in almost all cases you will be asked for a project plan, a balanced budget, a communication plan and an extract from the Chamber of Commerce. In addition, you may have to include, for example, the foundation's bylaws, the resumes of the board members or annual accounts. The application for fund is increasingly done digitally and often there is a standard form. In that case, always make sure you are completely ready and have everything at hand so you can complete the (online) form in one go. In some cases you may be asked to send one or more copies of your application by mail as well. Always do this by registered mail because then you will have proof that you did it on time.

If, from your expertise, you yourself have knowledge that would fit this topic, or if you see opportunities to improve this text, we look forward to receiving your message at info@cultuuracademy.nl.