Get application ready: The key documents you’ll need before you apply for funding
At Cornwall Community Foundation, we want to help you put your best foot forward when applying for funding. Whether you’re a local community group, a small charity, or a growing social enterpriseA business that uses commercial strategies to improve social, environmental, and financial well-being., having the right documents in place is the first step to a successful grant application.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll need to gather before you apply.
1. Your constitution or governing document
This could be a Constitution, Articles of Association, or another form of governing rules. It must clearly outline your organisation’s aims and objectives so we can understand your purpose and how it aligns with the fundA sum of money made available for grant making, often with specific criteria/conditions. you’re applying to.
2. A management committee with at least three unrelated members
To ensure good governance, your committee (or board of trustees) must include at least three individuals who are unrelated to one another. This helps maintain transparency and accountability within your organisation.
3. Registered charity or charitable organisation details (if Applicable)
If you’re a Registered Charity or a Charitable Organisation, make sure your information is up to date with the Charity Commission and/or Companies House. Make sure it reflects current trustees, financial status, and contact details. Doing this helps us confirm your eligibility and review your organisation’s track record.
4. A Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
If your work involves children, young people, or vulnerable adults, you must have a current safeguarding policy. This should include the name and contact details of your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). It should also include a clear review date to show the policy is up to date. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and having a solid policy in place shows you take that seriously.
5. Most recent end-of-year accounts
We’ll need to see your most recent set of accounts, which should show: Income and expenditure, any surplus or deficit, reserves (both restricted and unrestricted), and funds brought forward from the previous year. This gives us a clearer picture of your organisation’s financial health and how funding will be used.
6. A bank statement dated within the last 3 months
You’ll need to provide a recent bank statement showing: account name, sort code and account number, and current balance. It must also show that the account has at least two signatories. This is to ensure there’s a secure and appropriate account in place to manage grant funds.
7. Occasionally, a written reference
Sometimes, we may request a written reference from an independent referee. That is, someone outside of your organisation who knows your work. This could be a councillor, community partner, or another professional. It’s a way to strengthen your application and add external validation to the impact of your work.
Finally…
Before you apply, take a moment to double-check that: all your documents are up to date, digital copies (like PDFs) are clearly named and easy to open, you’re ready to respond promptly to any follow-up requests, such as a referee’s contact details. A well-prepared application not only helps us process things more smoothly, but also gives your organisation the best possible chance of securing funding to support your valuable work in the community.
Want help getting these documents in order?
You’re not alone! To make things easier, we’re running two ‘Application Ready’ workshops specifically designed to guide you through what’s needed for a successful application:
Application Ready Part 1 focuses on points 1-3
Application Ready Part 2 focuses on points 4-6
