# Get set for success Before you start thinking about funding, it is useful to consider the following questions: **What do I need the funding for?** Most grant funds will only fund certain types of costs (e.g. some funders won’t fund capital expenditure) so knowing from the outset what you need the funding for will help direct your search. ****How much do I need?**** Many funders have minimum and maximum amounts that they award. You should know how much you need from the outset to ensure you fit the criteria. ****When do I need the funding for?**** Decisions on grant applications can take weeks or even months and most funders won’t cover costs that have already happened. Be sure to apply in plenty of time before your project starts. ******What is the most appropriate source of funding for my project?****** Whilst grants can provide larger amounts of funding, it’s important to remember that they may not always be the best option for some activities and costs. Grants are usually restricted and can take a lot of time to apply, manage and report on. ****Who needs to be involved?**** Fundraising is more than simply writing an application and sending it off. Whether you have a large team or only a few people, fundraising is a team effort and everyone in your organisation plays a part. ******Are we sharing what we do****?** Whether you're attracting donations from individuals or looking for grant funding, most donors want to see evidence of your work. Sharing photos, stories and updates on your website or social media channels is a great way to share the impact you're making. ## Set yourself up for success If you are applying for grant funding, it is important that you can demonstrate that your organisation is well run. Getting prepared with all the supporting evidence you might need before you begin making applications will save you time in the long run. **Good Governance** Funders want to know that the organisations they are supporting are well run with good governance. Whilst it might not be in your control to ensure that accounts are submitted on time or that you have an appropriate reserves policy in place, it is important that those who _**are**_ responsible for this understand the impact that these things can have on your funding success. If you need help with your governing documents or policies, [visit our Good Governance guide.](https://scvo.scot/support/running-your-organisation/governance) **Due diligence checks** What do funders typically look for when carrying out their due diligence checks? * **Constitution/Governing Document**: You have a signed and dated constitution or set of rules for your organisation. * **Committee/Board**: You can demonstrate good governance. This may differ depending on the funder and your organisational structure. For example, some funders expect you to have at least two unrelated people who live at different addresses. You should check your eligibility with each fund before applying. * **Bank Account**: You have a bank account in the same name as the organisation. * **Reserves policy**: You have a reserves policy in place. * **Dissolution clause**: Some funders will expect you have a clause which states what happens to any assets if your organisation closes. **Supporting documents** You may be asked for some/all of the items below. Do you have a copy of these that is easily accessible? Create a folder in a shared drive so the whole team can access them. * Constitution/Governing Document * Most recent set of signed accounts or financial statement (if applicable) * Bank statements * Charity or company registration number (if applicable) * Safeguarding Policy * Equal Opportunities Policy **Useful extras** * Case studies & quotes * Headed paper * Photos of your work * Annual/Impact Reports ### **Building relationships** Building relationships is an important part of keeping up to date with funding opportunities and increasing your chances of securing funding. Some of the key people to build relationships with are: * Other groups in your local area * Third Sector Interfaces (TSIs) - You can [find details of your local TSI on the TSI Scotland Network.](https://tsi.scot/) * Local authority funding officers * Grant funders * Umbrella organisations * Local networks ### **Partnership working** Lots of funders are looking for groups to work with others to achieve your project aims and having a strong partnership can strengthen your application. Collaborations could involve delivering a project jointly, hosting joint fundraising events, sharing resources, or sharing your learning and ideas. [Back to: Guide to finding funding](/funding/guide) [Next: Practical planning](/funding/guide/practical-planning) --- ## About SCVO SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector. Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact. SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector. Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners. Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities. SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience. Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org). For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)