Developing Stronger Cases for Support and Funding Applications (CEP)

This one-day workshop is delivered in 2 parts, part 1 in the morning and part 2 in the afternoon.

Part 1: Developing a case for support

Fundraising can be very competitive, so being organised and prepared to communicate your appeal to donors and funders is a must. Whether you are focusing on trusts and foundations, major donors, or individual giving, they will all want to know the need, the solution and the outcomes of your work. A Case for Support is the core document that answers these questions and sums up or makes the argument as to why your organisation deserves to be funded. This session will enable you to understand the importance and benefits of a Case for Support, examine the key component parts of it, and explore ways to apply it to your fundraising and more.  

Agenda: 

• What do funders and donors want to know?
• What do you include in your Case for Support?
• Providing evidence to make a strong Case for Support
• Your budget, impact, social proof and other key information
• Ways to use your Case for Support in fundraising
• Group discussions, handouts and templates, Q&A are offered throughout session 

Part 2: Successful funding applications

Securing funds through funding applications can be crucial to an organisation’s ability to deliver.  To get ahead of the curve, it’s key to know what funders are looking for in applications. We’ll explore funder expectations, breaking it down into three basic questions and the information you’ll need to answer them effectively.  This second session helps you to identify the right funder for your work, how to assess your fit to their priorities, and discover ways to articulate your work and its need for funding in applications so that you stand out from the crowd.  

Agenda: 

• Understanding who funds, why, and where to find funding opportunities
• Understand funder expectations and select the best funding opportunity for your work
• Recognising and understanding different sections of a funding scheme and be able to assess your organisation’s fit for schemes
• Recognise what information funders are seeking and how to articulate your work to meet funder requirements when applying including budgets
• Tips for improved grant writing and avoiding common mistakes 

The Community Empowerment Programme (CEP)

The Community Empowerment Programme is being delivered by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) and a network of community partners from across Belfast. It is one of the six key projects which are being delivered as part of the Belfast PEACEPLUS Local Community Action Plan. This project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Over the next three years this comprehensive initiative is designed to build community capacity across Belfast city, impacting 1,000 individuals and community organisations who live and operate across the Belfast City Council area.

Be part of this transformative journey and help shape a stronger, more connected Belfast.