Ideas for Achieving a Successful Funding Application

Prepare Your Application

• Make sure your plans are thorough, have been costed and have an identified timescale
• Ensure you have, and can identify, the people and resources available to you to run the project after it has been built, installed or set up
• Where relevant, your application should outline how your plans provide for Women, People with Disabilities and other ‘minority’ groups
• Where relevant, demonstrate how your plans have strategic relevance - refer to the RFU Strategic Plan/RFU National Facilities Strategy, Constituent Body Strategic Plans and Facility Strategies
• Consult as widely as possible before submitting your application(s)
• Ensure the timescale of your plan is in line with that of the funding agency(s) decision dates
• Plan your cash flow thoroughly as some funding agencies will only release funds upon completion of works and will not fund retrospectively
• Demonstrate the benefits of your plans to an identified local or wider community
• Emphasise the benefit to the local community of your plans. Where necessary identify how many hours a week your facility or project will be available for community use
• Make provisions for junior usage, coaching and supervised activity of juniors, if necessary make plans to start a junior section
• Ensure, where necessary, you have the relevant planning permission or written confirmation that it is not required
• Any equipment purchases or facilities you install should meet certain design and/or performance criteria. For guidance please refer to relevant Sport England Guidance Notes and RFU technical specifications (see Facilities section of community rugby)
• Utilise all the help that is available from RFU RDOs/Constituent Body and the respective funding agency

Cost Your Plan

• You should demonstrate how your project represents value for money
• Emphasise your level of need for financial support (based on your annual accounts)
• Make sure your application is honest and you request only funds you require
• Be prepared to undergo a process of monitoring by funding agencies. Some agencies reserve the right to reclaim funding if they are not satisfied with its use
• Demonstrate a degree of ‘self help’ - whether in cash or kind (labour, expertise etc.) Most Funding agencies set a minimum portion as self help
• Have contingency plans in the event of a rejected application or a reduced award

Approach the Relevant Funding Organisations

• Your application must demonstrate clear plans in accordance with the criteria or the respective funding agency
• Where necessary forward any consultation forms as required by the funding agency
• Submit your application ahead of deadlines set by respective funding agencies
• Apply to the number of funding organisations you need to ensure the funding you require
• Identify, where necessary in your application(s) other sources of partnership funding
• Include details of other confirmed awards and, where not confirmed when you expect to hear a decision
• Check how much you are eligible for. Some funding agencies make provision in certain urban and rural areas for additional support
• Ensure your chosen funding organisations are complementary. Some agencies will not commit to funding if certain others have been applied to
• Ensure the tenure of your ground is of sufficient length as set by the respective funding agency. Most funding agencies require a minimum of five to ten years lease, freehold, or other security of tenure
• Do not start any projects or plans before you receive official written notice of award or permission to go ahead
• Consider every possible option available including sponsorship, Sportsmatch, donations, loans, fund raising activities etc
• You should give the funding agency full recognition for any support – letters of thanks, plaques, local publicity etc., should be considered to recognise their generosity