Fundraising Field Notes - an interesting read.

Dear xxx

Last week, I shared post on LinkedIn about an honest conversation I'd had with a funder. We all know that it's a good idea to try and make a phone call before you submit an application but this call was very different for a few key reasons:
The funder's website stated that you can only apply if you've had a phone call first. This means they get to do an eligibility check on people who are looking to apply and cut down on the number of ineligible applications they receive – given they told me their success rate is usually 1 in 3, it seems like this works. It saves them time having to deal with, read and respond to ineligible applications, and it saves charities the time and resources spent on applications that will never be successful.
They used an online calendar booking system, so it took all of about one minute for me to check available and book in a 20-minute call for the next day. Super quick and easy. I didn't find myself having to leave a voicemail, call back if it's not a convenient time to speak or add it to my list of funders to call at a later date. Job done there and then.
During the call, the funder was asking me questions, not the other way round. I did get a chance to ask my own questions of course, but it felt a world apart form those calls (and we've all had them) where I feel I'm interrogating someone who doesn't really want to speak to me.
The funder was very honest about their success rates which helped to set expectations up front.
I was directed to the funder's scoring system that they use for their decision making so it was really clear how I could write my applications to best meet their priorities.
What a brilliant idea.

It was so refreshing to see a process that makes applying for funding easier. So I started thinking about other things that funders could do. #fixtheform has some great ideas already on grant applications in particular so I'd love to hear about anything else you've experienced (or that you'd like to see) that would make trust fundraising less time consuming, less stressful or just easier for beginner fundraisers.

I've already had one funder ask to see the ideas, so it would be amazing if we could put together a list to share with other funders.

How about publishing dates of upcoming Trustee meetings so you can plan and prioritise your work? Funders being really clear on their website if they're closed to applications (not sending an automatic rejection after you've submitted 😖? Not closing an application window without warning?

Send me an email and let me know what you've found helpful, or equally what's difficult, annoying or frustrating and we can think about what would be an improvement!

I can't wait to hear your ideas

Blog here https://blog.grantadvisor.org/fixtheform/

Alicia