The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations is the membership organisation for Scotland's charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. Charity registered in Scotland SC003558. Registered office Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh EH3 6BB.
Writing applications
Get application ready
Before you can write your application, you should have considered your eligibility, checked that you fit the fund's aims, and spoken to your team members. It can also be helpful to speak with the funder before you begin your application.
Most funders will want to see supporting documents alongside your application. It is useful to keep all of the documents you will need together in one folder ready to attach or print. The common requests are your:
- Governing documents
- Accounts or a bank statement in the name of your organisation
- Policies and procedures (e.g. Safeguarding Policy, Reserves Policy, Financial Handling)
If you need to update any of your policies, check out our resources section for templates and model policies.
Writing your application
Every application is different, but the principles remain the same. Below are some top tips to keep in mind when writing an application.
- Be clear and concise when writing. Use plain English and assume the person has no knowledge of your activities.
- Read the fund guidance carefully and check your organisation is eligible to apply. If possible, try to speak with the funder before writing or submitting your application.
- Always focus on the impact on the people or places that will benefit from your work. What impact will this project have on the local community/environment etc. and why is it so important that it happens?
Remember reporting
When planning your project and writing your application, remember to include how you will evaluate your work. Thinking about this from the outset will mean you can put evaluation processes in place from the start, and will demonstrate to funders that you have considered how you will report back to them.
Further support on monitoring and evaluation is available from Evaluation Support Scotland.
What if there is an application form to complete?
Many funders have a set application form that you need to complete and submit either online, via email or sometimes by post. In this instance you should:
- Use the same language as the fund guidance does.
- Answer the question.
- Proofread and ask someone else to read it over before submitting.
- Keep within any word limits.
- Include any documents they ask for.
- If there is a deadline, make sure it’s in on time.
What if there is no set application form?
Some funders don’t have a set application form and to apply you will need to submit a written application. Key points to include in this type of application are:
- What will you deliver? Tell them about the project: where does it take place, what type of activities will you be carrying out, etc.
- What impact will you have? Who are you supporting through your work and what benefits will it have on the people or places you support?
- How much will it cost? Be realistic about your costs and include details of any funding you have already secured towards the costs of the project.
- Why are you the best person to deliver this? What makes your group the ideal people to do this work; for example do you already have the connections in place or do you have specific expertise in that area?
Unsuccessful applications
What happens if your application is unsuccessful? Whilst it is disappointing to find out an application hasn’t been successful, it can be a great learning opportunity. Ask the funder for feedback to see if there are any improvements you can make for the future. You could also get someone else with funding experience to read it over and suggest how you can improve for the next time.
Funding Scotland
SCVO's Funding Scotland service gives you access to up to date, high-quality information on funding opportunities. It is free for any voluntary organisation working in Scotland with exclusive features for SCVO members.