cc courtesy of homerlibrary via Flickr
Women in business are more likely to succeed in getting grants than men are. Lots of us have been brought up to be more careful about preparation. Just think about school kids and homework: the girls tend to make the greater effort. The good girl grounding is paying-off in more grants for women in business, but even so, it is tougher than ever to get a business grant of any type. Here are our top tips for increasing your odds of winning any grant funding opportunities that come your way:
1. Be really sure that it’s right for your business. Chasing grants can distort a solid business or idea and take-up more time and energy than they’re worth. Start by being really sure that this grant will take your business in the direction you want to go. Funding should follow mission, not the other way around! If it doesn’t, don’t do it.
2. Do a thorough search. Grant-finding databases are a good place to start. You can search by what you want to achieve – for example, training, innovation, environmental improvements. You can also search by personal or businesses characteristics, such as location, sector, your age, gender etc. The following sites are extensive and free:
www.grantsnet.co.uk
www.j4bgrants.co.uk
www.grantfinder.co.uk
Those databases pick-up most schemes, including small local ones. But have a good search on the internet too, especially if your business is very niche, or you are part of a particular target group (there are funds for ex-service people for example). Also, keep an eye on the local press and talk to the local enterprise agency or your Council Economic Development Unit. Trade associations can be another good source for grants for businesses in your sector.
[Note - Grantfinder is a subscription-based service, however it is often offered as a free service by third parties such as local libraries, councils, voluntary sector support bodies etc. You may be able to find a free provider in your area by searching 'grantfinder' + your area.]
3. Think laterally. When is a grant not a grant? Quite often when it’s called an Award. There are lots of those for women in business! Some give cash or equivalent prizes and others give you lots of free PR and credibility. Some high profile women’s business award programmes get a lot fewer entries than you’d think, especially those that are in narrow sectors.
4. Meet the criteria. Almost every fund publishes a list of criteria that they judge applications against. Make sure that you respond clearly to every point. Give evidence and examples of how you match what they are looking for. Make sure your evidence is as up-to-date as possible and based on reliable sources.
5. Follow the guidelines. Tick-off and double check that you’ve followed every single guideline in the grant information. If they give word counts, stick to them. If they ask you to address your application in a certain way, follow that exactly. Append all the documents you’re asked for. Meet the deadline, not a second late or your application is unlikely to be accepted. Small exceptions may seem trivial, but they are an easy way for your application to be knocked-off the massive pile of applications most funders receive.
6. Keep it real. Quotes from customers or clients are really powerful: provide testimonials, client feedback and affirmations. If you are allowed to, include photographs or even video to show the impact of what you’re doing or plan to do.
7. Do it yourself. While getting expert help and input can help, make sure that you complete the application yourself. You need to understand every line, so that if you are interviewed or have to deliver a pitch, you can answer every question.
8. Presentation is key. Make sure your grant application is professionally presented and proof read. You’re asking for lots of cash, so don’t undermine your case with lazy typos! If you have to deliver a pitch, draft bullet points on a card and rehearse it over and over. Make sure you know your financials inside out.
9. Get known. If at all possible try to get to know your funder and find ways of letting them know about you. Take any opportunity you can to meet them face to face, for example at networking events. Also if they are happy to be contacted with questions about the funding application, then take advantage of that, but make sure you only do it once and have a sensible list of questions prepared. If you’re applying for a significant grant then it can help to build your PR profile, get some press coverage and talk to anyone who may have some influence.
10. Follow-up. After you’ve completed your grant application and sent it off, make sure you check that it was received on time and that everything was in order. If it’s a winning application, then you will have to complete follow-up reports accounting for how the money has been spent and what impact it has made. If you don’t succeed this time, always ask for feedback. As they say – ‘There’s no such thing as failure, only feedback.’ If you learn from it, you’ll be one step closer to succeeding the next time. Good luck!
The Women’s Business Finance Guide – Free eBook
- A plain-English overview of all the main types of business finance, including loans, grants, equity, bootstrapping, crowdfunding etc.
- Pros and cons of each type of funding, women’s angles and routes, links and advice.
- Exercises to help you assess your financial psychology.
This 21 page eBook is completely free when you sign-up for our free monthly ezine. You can unsubscribe at any time and your details will never be shared with anyone else.
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About Erika Watson
Erika is an inclusive enterprise consultant, trainer and business writer. Specialist in women in business & social enterprise - and editor of Prowess 2.0. Drop me an email: erika [at] greenwellconsulting.co.uk
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