A new charity usually asks the same question first: who will fund us? The honest answer is that most first applications fail for reasons that have nothing to do with how good the cause is. They go to the wrong funder, they arrive without the basic documents, or they do not say clearly what the money will do.
▶ Watch the short video: Your first grant for your UK charity: where to start
Step 1: Find the right funder
A funder is not a bank. Each one has its own priorities, area and size of grant. Read their guidance before writing a word, and check three things:
- Fit. Does your work match what they say they fund, in the area they cover?
- Eligibility. Do they fund organisations like yours (registered charity, CIO, community group)? Some require a minimum track record or a set of annual accounts.
- Size. Is the amount you need inside their usual range?
Good places to search include local community foundations, your local council, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the 360Giving GrantNav database, which shows who has funded what.
Step 2: Get your documents ready
Most funders ask for the same core set. Having it ready before you apply saves weeks:
- Your governing document and charity number (if registered)
- A bank account in the organisation's name
- Your latest accounts, or a simple budget if you are new
- Key policies, such as safeguarding and equal opportunities
- Names and contact details of your trustees
Step 3: Ask clearly
A strong application answers three questions in plain language:
- The need. What problem exists, for whom, and how do you know?
- The impact. What will change, and how will you show it?
- The cost. Exactly what the money pays for, line by line. A precise budget builds more trust than a round number.
Before you press submit
Read the application as if you were the funder. Is every question answered? Does the budget match the activities? Would a stranger understand what you do in the first paragraph?
Salam Noor helps charities get ready for funding: structure, documents and a clear application.