Who would have thought that funding applications could be so difficult (except anyone who has actually completed one I guess). Ironically, the Big Lottery Awards For All Online Application Form is quite basic, albeit asking everything they need.
Apart from the usual contact details etc, plus bank details and who you are intending to help, the two hardest sections are the 4000 character explanation of the project itself - where you have to show what you are doing, why you are doing it, the outcomes you expect, how you will achieve these, and hopefully demonstrate that you deserve the grant. The other section is a breakdown of the amount, which I would have much preferred to have sent in a spreadsheet, but instead you have to just list the amounts. I wish we could also have been able to add explanations for these figures.
I realise it has taken a time. There has been many rewrites of the 4000 character explanation. I have passed it to several people and taken on board some excellent advice, adding figures, and more details about the process and outcomes. I think we have done well, but tonight it will be going off online, thankfully. I believe a decision is made within three months, and the four programs we intend to run with the money we can start from July.
Meanwhile, we must start finding seed funding for salaries.
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