We know there is a lot to consider when thinking about submitting an initial application.
Conscious of this, the grants team outline some important things to take into account before submitting a Stage 1 application, as well as what typically makes a strong application.
This is for capital projects: funding towards new builds, refurbishments and equipment. While we do run a few programmes supporting individuals through research and education grants, these are administered by our partner organisations.
Programme area
We have four programme areas: Secondary Education, Science & Medicine, Health & Disability and Heritage, Humanities & the Arts.
Our funding for places page shows the types of organisations that we fund and which programme they are considered under (listed in the ‘need to know’ section on the right hand side of each page).
It’s not unusual to see applications that could cut across our funding programmes but typically, the aims of the organisation are the factor that decide the relevant programme.
For instance, a charity supporting individuals with disabilities from a Grade II* building would be considered under our Health & Disability programme and a state-funded secondary school seeking to refurbish their science labs, through our Secondary Education programme.
Special schools and colleges should apply under our Health & Disability programme.
If you are still not sure about the relevant programme area, please do get in touch with us.
Timings
We run a two-stage application process, with the exception of our Secondary Education programme. This means there is a minimum of five months between submitting your Stage 1 application and, if successful through to Stage 2, getting a funding decision from our trustees.
Our two trustee meetings fall in June and December, and we aim to write to applicants with a decision by the end of the respective month.
If your project has started or is due to start before our trustees meet, to be eligible, the works will need to be ongoing after the date of award. This is because we can only consider costs incurred (as shown on dated invoices) after our trustee meeting.
If there are several elements to your project, please set out the timeframes for the separate phases. This is particularly important if there are elements of the project that are not eligible.
Due to high levels of demand, applications that do not clearly show eligible works taking place after our trustee meeting tend to not be shortlisted.
Something to consider is that we have rules on reapplying, asking grant holders to wait between two and five years depending on the type of organisation. Therefore if you have a pipeline of capital projects, you may want to consider which is your strategic priority.
Impact of project
We want to understand what the impact of the project will be.
Each funding programme has slightly different criteria, but proposals should describe how the project will meet at least one of our aims.
You can look at the relevant funding page to see what these aims are.
Strong proposals tend to set out the benefits to the communities served by the organisation.
Traditionally Wolfson has tended to prioritise large-scale projects which have a clear transformational effect on how an organisation delivers its activities and programmes. We can sometimes fund more modest capital works such as installing computer equipment, roof repairs, insulation and so on, but you should bear in mind that – with heavy demand on our funding – these projects are likely to be a lower priority. If we think that a project’s costs can be absorbed within your annual maintenance budget, for example, we are unlikely to take it forward.
How will your project impact your community? Photo courtesy of Black Country Living Museum.
Costings
The application form will ask you to set out the project cost, any funds raised and the amount still to be raised (the shortfall).
Our minimum grant size is £15,000 but this varies between programmes. Check the ‘need to know’ box on the relevant funding page.
As we cannot consider overheads, administrative costs and VAT, it’s important your application includes a cost breakdown showing the different elements and any ineligible costs.
Applications that have a shortfall close to our minimum grant size and do not clearly show a breakdown are unlikely to be invited to Stage 2.
If invited to our next stage, some match funding may be required. Check the ‘need to know’ box on the relevant funding page.
Ownership
We can consider applications for sites and buildings which are either owned or leased.
If the site is leased, please set out both the length of the agreement and how many years are still to run.
We generally expect there to be a minimum of 15 years to run on the lease at the time an application is made.
How to submit
Stage 1 applications are submitted via our online application system.
The list of Stage 1 questions is always available on our website so you can start working on an application at any point, even when we are not currently accepting applications.
If the deadline falls during a weekend, you can submit your application until 9am the following Monday.
We’ve tried to keep the Stage 1 form short and easy to complete but we understand that you’ll want to spend time on your application. While we undertake a rolling assessment, we review all applications submitted while applications are open. So you can be reassured that there’s no advantage for those who submit on the day our applications open, compared with those who submit on the day we close.
We know that there is often a lot to take in when applying to a grant-maker. While we have tried to make everything as straightforward as possible, inevitably we need to ask for various pieces of information and provide clear guidance on eligibility. However, we want to stress that we’re here to support you. Our goal is to be as helpful, approachable, and friendly as possible.
We have a list of Funding FAQs, but if you have any further questions, you can get in touch with us.
By Clair, Claire, Eleanor, Jessica, Mark and Rosie (Grants Team)
