Written by Simon Dixon
Expert advice was shared last Wednesday with a range of people in Horsforth, at a workshop focused on fundraising for climate initiatives.
Participants took part from groups across the city, including Harehills Action Team, Alwoodley Community Energy and Farsley Climate Action.
Kaye Wilson, Project Worker at Voluntary Action Leeds, led the workshop. Kaye shared advice and tips about how to write successful fundraising bids, and about the range of income sources available to the third sector.
The workshop was hosted by Horsforth Climate Action, one of eight community hubs that are part of the Climate Action Leeds project. Penny Lewis, Chair of Horsforth Climate Action gave a welcome and introduction to the event.
Some of the key advice about successful fundraising included:
Fundraising should be a shared responsibility across an organisation, not just delegated to one or a few people.
Many funding bids fail because they are for projects focused on meeting the needs of an organisation, rather than meeting the needs of a community.
Make sure to have a really good project plan for every funding bid.
Get your costings right. If your numbers are not realistic about the costs of a project, you’re likely to have your bid rejected.
Community groups should consider raising funding across the spectrum: Donations - Grants - Contracts - Income generation
A range of examples of ‘other funding sources’ were discussed at the workshop, to supplement funding from traditional sources. These included:
Legacy donations - gifts in wills
Income generations from:
Venue hire
Repair services
Speaker fees
Workshops
Membership fees
Gift Aid
Fundraising activities / events
Crowdfunders
Donation box in shops etc
For help and support with fundraising, visit the Funding page of the Doing Good Leeds website. You will find details about a feedback service on draft funding bids, a search database of funding opportunities, a Leeds Funding Support Network and more.
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