Applying for funding

To finance your initiative or project, you often have several options. There is a chance that you can also apply for a grant from a government to cover part of the costs. You can choose to do this yourself but you could also choose to hire a professional fundraiser. In any case, we would like to help you on your way with the information below and a list of tips on applying for subsidies. In addition, we have listed many possible grants and funds with different themes. Applying for a subsidy differs per type of subsidy and type of government. As a rule, you can say that 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 accountability afterwards. When you want to apply for a grant, it is very important that you read all the rules of the game carefully, check your eligibility and what the deadlines are. Also look carefully at the maximum amount you can apply for and how you do this. Always take this into account because there is a good chance that an application will not be processed if you are incomplete or late.

Methodology

When applying for a grant, you always follow the ground rules and conditions set by the grantee. 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 your plan. They may have additions or tips for you.

Step 2 - Determine what you need

In aanvullingisbank/cult op stap één ga je eens goed kijken wat je precies nodig hebt. Het is niet de bedoeling dat je jezelf helemaal blind staart op subsidies. Zie een bijdrage vooral als een aanvulling op datgene dat je al hebt, oftewel een dekking van de kosten die niet op een andere manier te realiseren is. Maak daarom altijd eerst zelf een begroting. Hierin heb je alle kosten op een rijtje gezet en je hebt aangegeven welke inkomsten je verwacht te genereren rondom jouw initiatief of project. Het laatste is heel belangrijk omdat een overheid bijna altijd zal vragen op welke manier je aan cultureel ondernemerschap doet en welke vormen van cofinanciering je hebt. Mocht je uiteindelijk een bedrag te kort komen dan kan je een poging wagen om dit te dekken middels subsidies.

Step 3 - What grant will you apply for?

There are a large number of different grants and it very much depends on your initiative or project whether you qualify for a grant. You should always first look at the rules or preconditions that a subsidy provider has drawn up. In general, you can find these on the website of the subsidy provider or you can ask a contact person, if this information is given. These rules and conditions can vary. In any case, it is good to look carefully at what is described about the following matters:

Are you eligible for the grant?

It's a waste if you apply when you have no chance at all. In general, for example, it is important that you are not a for-profit organization. There may also be a requirement that you have been operational for at least a number of years, that you may only receive a subsidy for a maximum of three years in a row, or that you must have a certain turnover. Of course, it is also important that your initiative or project fits the theme of the grant.

The period

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

The grant ceiling

Every grant has a maximum amount that can be spent on all applications received in a given period. Sometimes a government 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

It may be that there are rules regarding costs that you can and cannot pay with the grant. For example, you may be allowed to spend it only on materials or on the program, but you may not use the grant to pay for your own hours. If the latter is the case, there is a good chance that the minimum and/or maximum hourly wage for certain positions is fixed.

Percentage of total budget

Each grant describes what the maximum proportion of the grant can be to the total budget. This is not a standard percentage so look at this carefully. If a grant can cover a maximum of 50% of the budget, it means that you must have your own income or co-financing for the remainder.

Public outreach

When making a grant, it is important to indicate the kind of people you are reaching and the numbers involved. This refers not only to visitors to or participants in your project or initiative. You may also have a large reach through the means of communication. As a result, for example, a city or a theme may still (and perhaps in a longer term) come to the attention of intended target groups.

Step 4 - Making the grant application

Once you have read through everything concerning the grant in question, 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 your application that you have to request or have third parties check. It is always indicated what the subsidy provider needs to be able to assess your application. This differs per subsidy and in general, the higher the amount to be requested, the more you will have to submit. For example, the grant maker can 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 want to include, for example, the foundation's bylaws, the resumes of the board members or annual accounts. Applying for a grant is increasingly done digitally and often involves a standard form. In that case, always make sure you are completely ready and have everything at hand so you can fill out the (online) form in one go. In some cases, you may also be asked to send one or more copies of your application by mail. If so, 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.