Grant Application Tips

Before applying for program

• Talk to the relevant grant officer to find out if and what grant your idea might be best suited to.
• Check the closing date – do you have enough time to write your application and gather all the information needed.
• Check the grant program’s eligibility criteria and guidelines to ensure that your organisation and your project are eligible.  If you are not sure, always give the organisation a call.
• Make sure the grant covers the items that you want funded and only include items that are eligible for funding.
• Be clear on what you want to achieve with the funds, how are you going to do it and why.

Writing your application

• Don’t assume that the grantor knows anything about your organisation or your project, describe them well.
• Always include who, what, where, when, why and enough information to give the assessor a really good idea of what your project is about.
• Make sure you answer all the questions.
• Try to choose a good name for your project – something that captures the assessor’s imagination is good.
• The grant assessor will have many applications to read through – try to make yours interesting and include all the critical facts.
• Use plain English and steer clear of jargon.
• Always include any relevant statistics you have for your project and community.
• Include any letters of support you have for your project.
• Give your draft application to a colleague or someone who knows your project to read through and give feedback.
• Include any plans for continuing your project after the grant, if applicable.

The budget

• Check carefully what is required for the budget and ensure you include all information.  If you are not sure – ask.
• Always check the requirements for quotes and include more than one if requested.
• Include details of funding that you are applying for from other sources, or that you have already sourced.
• Usually budget amounts are excluding GST but check the grant guidelines or application form.
• Include the cost of a financial audit of the project expenditure if required and only if it is an eligible item for funding (usually this is only for larger grants – ask the grantor if you are not sure).

Before submitting your grant application 

• Proofread your whole application.
• Get a colleague or someone who doesn’t know your project well to read through your application so they can provide constructive feedback.
• Always ensure that you have included all documentation required – many application forms have a checklist, make sure you have a tick against each item (or provide information as to why you haven’t).

Lastly

If you are not sure of anything, phone the funding organisation and talk to them – they will always help.

Top tips for applicants

Thinking about applying for a grant, sponsorship or donation through the Vic Park Funding Program?

Hear from some past recipients who provide excellent tips to help you with your application, from having clear objectives to budgets. 

Previous grant recipients

Applying for a grant, sponsorship or donation through our program? Hear from past recipients to help determine if it's the right fit for you!