Here
is some practical advice to help you develop that essential Business
Plan and for funding bids.
It's
important to cover all the basics before you start bidding for
funding, giving your project a much better chance of success.
Working towards a Business Plan or Action Plan
It
will be worthwhile to work your way through these key points,
to help you clarify your priorities and to get people working
together.
Take
a look at Four Steps to Success
which will also help you to keep a clear head!
What
is a Business Plan?
- It
provides a framework to plan direction
- It
sets out the aims and objectives of your project
- It
supports funding applications
- It
shows that you are serious about your idea
What
goes into a Business Plan?
- Why there is a need for the project
-
Who it is aimed at
- Where
and when will it happen
Resources
- What do you need?
- Volunteers
- Building - room - outside space
- Transport
- Equipment
- Money - how much?
How
will you finance the project?
- Make a charge (income generation)
- Seek sponsorship
- Make a grant application
- Organise fund-raising events
Who
will manage the project?
- Identify individuals
- Is there a steering group or management group?
- Are there Terms of Reference?
- Are minutes recorded?
- Are there appointed officers?
- Are financial records available?
- What is the meeting cycle?
Financial
Accountability
- Income and expenditure reports
- Description of sources of funding
Top
10 tips for successful funding bids
- Identify and research the need - what will it cost.
Can your bid be justified?
- Produce an Action/Business Plan with a budget
- Include aims and objectives
- Define the project's planned outputs, results
and impacts
- Management structure - show clarity of accountability
within your group/organisation
- Project management - who is involved, what are
their qualifications and how will the project be managed
- Partnership - identify and demonstrate ability
to work in partnership
- Monitoring and evaluation - show that you have
the knowledge and ability to introduce effective systems
- Risks - identify the possible risks attached to
this Project - what would be the consequences?
- Exit/future strategy - what will happen when the
funding ceases?
Who
can help?
Key
organisations that could offer help and support in the development
of your ideas - see Contacts Directory
for more information. Further
information on funding sources is available from Gloucestershire
County Council's Economic Development Unit on 01452 425702.
Useful
contacts
|
- Co-operative
Futures
-
District Councils
-
Gloucestershire County Council
- Arts Development (see Libraries, Arts and
Museums)
-
Gloucestershire Food Links
- Gloucestershire Association of Farmers Markets
- Forest Food Links
-
Gloucestershire Market Towns Forum
-
Gloucestershire Media
- Gloucestershire
Neighbourhood Projects Network
-
Gloucestershire Resource Centre, City Works
(scrap store) for materials and props
-
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council
-
Made in Stroud
-
Major local employers (support in kind)
-
Police
-
St John's Ambulance
|
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