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Take a look at the organisations the funder has supported before, as this builds a picture of the types of projects they support. 3 What is this funder really looking for? Beyond the basics of criteria and eligibility, what do you know about this funder? Have you made a clear case for support? Have you tailored your approach to the individual funder? Be clear about your application’s main selling points. 4 Have we got enough time to apply for this grant and do the funded work properly? Responding to funding opportunities takes time; you should consider carefully whether you have the resources to dedicate to it. If there are time constraints in relation to when the funded activity must happen, you should consider if you can set up and deliver your project within these timelines. Be prepared to walk away if the timing isn’t right. Bear in mind that you are likely to need to consult with community members or work with partners. 5 Would this project be the best use of this funding opportunity? In many cases organisations need funding for several projects at once. How do you decide what you apply for, what might be suitable for a loan, and what activity might you fund through income from trading or bidding for contracts? Grants can be valuable in funding types of activity which are impossible to support through other channels – although they are not the only source of income.