North West fundraising workshop a recipe for success

sported. recently held a fundraising workshop at Heywood Sports Village in partnership with Children In Need and the Big Lottery Fund.

The workshop, which was open to North West Members and Mentors, proved to be a great success with one Member stating: "It was probably the most useful funding workshop I have ever been to - thank you".

The aim of the workshop was to help Members identify potential sources of funding and develop their skills in making strong applications. It was attended by 25 people including both representatives from Member organisations and also a number of sported. Mentors.

The first part of the workshop was an opportunity for our Members who were interested in applying for grants to Children in Need (CiN), to have a one to one session with Natalie Parker from the National Funder, to discuss their ideas and projects and get advice and feedback, as well as clarity on CiN's requirements and criteria.

The second part of the workshop was delivered by Wil Woan from The Big Lottery Fund (BLF). As well as giving an overview of the grants available, including Awards for All and Reaching Communities, the workshop focussed on the key ingredients for successful applications not only to the BLF, but to other funders in general.

The workshop was held in response to both feedback from Members who wanted support in developing their ability to make successful applications, as well as an identification of the need by various Funders who have seen a drop in the quality of applications made by groups over the past year.

All attendees stated they felt more confident about making applications in the future, and a number of Members have identified specific grants which fit with the projects they wish to develop, and will be supported in making applications to these in the coming months.

Rehana Koser , North West Regional Manager said "It has been fantastic seeing the response to the workshop from the Members, in particular the raised aspirations and confidence which the groups are displaying in relation to applying for funding. This will help our Members to make stronger and hopefully successful applications for grants, not only to sported. but also to a range of other funders that have been carefully targeted. This will be key to helping the groups become more sustainable. I would like to thank Wil and Natalie in helping to make this a supportive and valuable workshop."

The event was also of great benefit to sported. Mentors who attended, as it helped to improve their knowledge and skills around fundraising and applications, thus enhancing the support they can give Members they are mentoring. All groups who attended will have the opportunity to access Mentor support to develop their projects and activities and draft applications.
 
Any sported. Members who are interested in applying for a sported. grant or would like advice and support in relation to applying to other Funders (including CiN and the BLF) please contact Rehana Koser, North West Regional Manager at r.koser@sported.org.uk or visit the North West grant page for more information.

For details of Children in Need Grants click here and for details of the Big Lottery Fund Grants, click here.