DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
You’re frustrated with the lack of feedback on your grant applications
You’re struggling to make your applications stand out from the crowd
You’re getting lots of rejections and wondering what you’re doing wrong
You’re not sure if you’re including the right information or whether your applications are in the right format.
You want your applications to be persuasive, powerful and ultimately, more successful!
Many Trusts and Foundations receive too many applications to be able to give individual feedback to the ones they turn down. So you’re left wondering why your application was unsuccessful and what you could do differently next time.
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“Our new unrestricted application just got signed off today (yay!) so I wanted to say a HUGE thank you for all your thorough feedback. I honestly believe we have a greater chance of success now with both applications thanks to your input and knowledge of the sector.”
- NATALIE, FRIENDS OF THE ELDERLY
THE APPLICATION REVIEW
During an Application Review I’ll help you to understand how you can give your applications the best possible chance of success. I have over two decades' experience of fundraising and during that time I’ve written, and read, hundreds of grant applications.
I’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t!
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“I have recently received some excellent feedback from Alicia regarding Trust applications. I am new to Trust fundraising, so found her insight into the sector, and the advice she has given me, invaluable. I believe that, thanks to Alicia, I am now better placed to put together more successful applications, and save myself time.”
-ALISON
HOW IT WORKS:
After booking, I will send you a short questionnaire to complete and return to me along with your application. There’s no rush to send this to me, just as and when you’re ready.
Within 7 days you’ll receive:
A video walk-through of my feedback of your application including an analysis of any weak spots in your project planning, budgeting and writing.
Tracked changes on your document so you can easily see where to improve your writing.
A two page action plan with recommendations so that you can learn and improve your future applications.
You get my two decades’ worth of fundraising experience, for the fraction of the price of working with me 1-1 and we can make sure your application has the best chance of success.
THE INVESTMENT: £247
HELLO
I’m Alicia
a fundraising consultant, juggling family life whilst helping charities write better, more successful applications.
Over the years I’ve written, and read, hundreds of grant applications. I’ve seen what works and importantly, what doesn’t! Some of the funders I have secured grants from include the City Bridge Trust, Morrisons Foundation, February Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Henry Smith Charity, Reaching Communities and the Department of Health.
As a freelancer I found that the more organisations I worked with the more I got asked the same questions. How do we find the right trusts to apply to? How do we make our chances of success higher? How do we write really good applications that stands out from the crowd? So in 2019, I set up the Trust Fundraising Hub, a free Facebook community group which now has over 5,000 members all supporting each other and sharing advice*.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’VE GOT A DRAFT APPLICATION THAT I HAVEN’T SENT TO ANY FUNDERS YET, CAN I SEND THIS TO YOU FOR REVIEW? +
Absolutely! I can review what you’ve written so far, and who you’re planning on sending the application to. I’ll check how you've structured your application and if you’re including all the essential pieces of information. I’ll also give you suggestions and recommendations on some of the finer points of persuasive writing and design principles to get your applications to stand out from the crowd. Equally if you’ve got an application that has been submitted and was unsuccessful I can review that too and give you suggestions on what you can improve on next time.
CAN YOU REVIEW ANY TYPE OF APPLICATION? +
Yes, I can review either letter style applications or application forms of any size. You might have a standard letter that you tailor for lots of different funders, so once you’ve implemented the changes I recommend then you can send your new application to multiple prospects.
WILL MY APPLICATION BE SUCCESSFUL ONCE YOU’VE REVIEWED IT? +
When I review your application I can give you my experience from the last two decades in fundraising. I’ve written, and read, hundreds of applications, I teach other fundraisers how to improve their applications through my online course Raising the Bar, and I’ve secured hundreds of thousands of pounds in grants from funders like The Henry Smith Charity, The National Lottery Community Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Morrisons Foundation, The Hodge Foundation, Youth Music, the Nisbet Trust, DM Thomas Foundation and more. But no, unfortunately I can’t guarantee success - you’ll always be up against other charities, other projects, other causes. Not every single trust application you submit will be successful, but by implementing my recommendations you can improve your chances.
Got a question that’s not answered here? Just send an email to HELLO@ALICIAGRAINGER.CO.UK and I’d be very happy to get back to you.
