Fit Check
A short check on organisation type, funder, deadline and whether the work is ethical and possible.
From Fit Check To Handover
How The Work Happens.
The same person scopes, writes and hands over the bid. That keeps the argument intact and stops small organisations repeating themselves to a chain of consultants.
Six Stages
A Practical Rail For The Bid.
Document Review
Governing document, recent accounts, bank details in the organisation name and any funder guidance are reviewed before a quote is confirmed.
Project Shape
The activity, audience, delivery model and decision-maker are pinned down so the bid is not trying to solve six problems at once.
Evidence And Budget
Costs, quotes, demand evidence, safeguarding and letters of support are gathered before the main drafting push.
Writing
The application is drafted against the funder’s questions, word limits and scoring priorities.
Handover Or Submission
The final draft is handed over for committee approval, or submission is supported where access and authority are already agreed.
Before Writing Starts
Bring The Boring Papers. They Do The Heavy Lifting.
Clients need to provide governing documents, recent accounts, bank details in the organisation name, project costs and a named decision-maker before drafting starts. For some funds, Helen will also ask for policies, minutes, partner letters, permissions, evidence of need and quotes.
Rushing weak evidence into an application damages good local work because it makes the project look thinner than it is. Volunteer hours need a sensible rate and a real task, not a heroic guess. Room hire should match the number of sessions, not the hope that a hall will be free. Safeguarding training has to sit in the budget if new workers or volunteers need it before children and young people arrive. Minibus costs should show journeys, mileage or hire quotes, especially in villages where public transport decides who can attend. Letters of support should say what the partner will actually do, not just that they like the idea. When these pieces are gathered before the writing starts, the bid can make a clean argument rather than hide a panic in polished sentences.
Timelines
Pick The Scale That Matches Your Deadline.
Small
Three weeks for a straightforward small grant when the project and accounts are ready.
Medium
Four to six weeks where the project needs shaping, partner evidence or a detailed budget.
Larger
Five to eight weeks for trust, foundation or statutory applications between £10,000 and £75,000.
Workshops And Travel
Sheffield-Based, Regional By Design.
In-person workshops are available within 25 miles of Sheffield city centre. That usually covers Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, parts of Doncaster, Chesterfield and the Hope Valley.
Travel beyond that is charged at 45p per mile plus standard-class rail where relevant. Remote work is available across the UK for established charities and CICs that have their documents in order.
Next