Securing funding is a pivotal step for any organisation aiming to expand its impact. The “Are You Ready to Apply?” video, created for the Community Mental Health Transformation Grant, offers a useful checklist to assess your organisation’s readiness. While tailored for mental health initiatives in York, the principles outlined are widely applicable to various funding opportunities.
Key Considerations Before Applying for Funding
Alignment with Grant Objectives
Ensure your project aligns with the funder’s goals. For instance, the Community Mental Health Transformation Grant focuses on:
- Supporting individuals experiencing serious mental ill-health
- Prevention and early intervention strategies
- Innovative and transformative approaches
- Projects spanning two years
- Assisting adults aged 18 and over
- Benefiting residents within the City of York Council area
Organisational Readiness
Assess whether your organisation has the necessary infrastructure, policies and procedures in place. This includes safeguarding measures, governance structures and financial management systems.
Co-Production and Community Involvement
Demonstrate how individuals with lived experience have contributed to the design and implementation of your project. Co-production ensures that services are tailored to the actual needs of the community.
Partnerships and Collaboration
Highlight any collaborations with other organisations or stakeholders. Effective partnerships can enhance the reach and impact of your project.
Financial Planning
Prepare a detailed budget that reflects true cost recovery. For the mentioned grant, funding is available up to £40,000 over two years, with a maximum of £20,000 per year, subject to review.
York CVS Support
Here at York CVS we offer assistance in areas such as safeguarding, policy development, training and governance issues. Contact us at grants@yorkcvs.org.uk for personalised support.