## Top Tips Writing Your Bid

Read the guidance and decide whether to apply Read the questions and plan your approach Ask questions / use your relationships Use your uniqueness to help you stand out 

                          
 
Read the questions and plan your approach 
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Get something down on the paper- use headings to help you plan 
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Sometimes it's easier to start elsewhere than the beginning- the **budget** can be helpful here 
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If you need the input of others (finance staff, senior management) let them know in plenty of time Ask questions/ use your relationships 
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Asking questions is a **good** thing 
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If you don't understand the question or what you are being asked to provide then speak to the 
funder 
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This has the benefit of building a relationship with the funder. It puts you and your application on the map 
Use your uniqueness to help you stand out 
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Think about what makes your organisation different and try to get this across 
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Be clever and creative  
o Use testimony/ quotes o Can you use images? 
o Emphasise your "added value" 

## Ensure You Have A Robust Project Budget Presentation Matters

Get it sent 
                            
 

Ensure you have a robust project budget 
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Work with Finance staff from the start- don't leave it til last! 
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Think about the full and true cost of the project- marketing, maintenance costs etc  
o 
For further hints and tips regarding full cost recovery see 
file:///C:/Users/ldavis1/Downloads/Full-Cost-Recovery.pdf 
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Ensure you have put a true and fair number in for volunteer hours. Some funders allow volunteer hours to be used as match funding 
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Think about match funding and value for money 
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Be open about how you will be funding the rest of the project e.g. "We will be submitting applications to…" or "We have applied to X, Y & Z fund and are expecting a response from X" 
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Stick to the criteria in terms of what the funder will and won't fund  
 
Presentation matters  
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Use well formatted text (font, size, spacing, etc…) 
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Check any requirements 
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Use tables/ images where they add value (and save space!) 
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Ask someone you don't work with to review it. This will help identify any jargon that has slipped 
in! 
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Use apendices if you can to support main bid 
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Don't be afraid to bullet point- this can make big chunks of text clearer to the funder 
Fitting applications in on top of the day job 
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Ensure that you require input from others to complete your bid- they are aware of the timelines 
you are working to 
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Completing a huge application form can be daunting. Sometimes starting with the sections you 
know, such as budget, helps you get your teeth into a bid  
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Often it works well not to try and complete the bid in one go, but set aside chunks of time to work on it 
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If using an application form it can be helpful to draft into a word document first and then transfer it to the application form when you are happy with it 
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Keep a copy: if using an online application form, copy and paste the final version into a word document for your records Get it sent 
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Who needs to sign any paperwork (senior management)? Make sure you allow time for this 
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Make sure you know the details of how to send, and what is required? 
o Email or post? 
o What attachments are needed? o How many copies?