Funding Your
Project
It is vital that you have a clear picture of what
you want to do and put it down in writing. This can
then be expanded into your ‘Development Plan’
as your project takes shape. This is not a useless
exercise as most funding bodies require to see what
your aims and objectives are, that they are realistic
and are reasonably long term.
Whether you are starting from scratch or setting up
as a group within an established sailing club also
needs to be decided. The advantages of being part
of a Sailing club are double edged. You get the benefit
of a head start whereas the club will gain through
satisfying the requirements of the Disability Discrimination
Act. Also it may be possible for the club to negotiate
a reduction in its council taxes through providing
facilities for people with disabilities.
Sources of Funding
The Main Sources of funding are:
1. Annual subscription by members, joining fee or
formal debenture agreement
2. Charitable sources. Local charities are best for
supporting your local group. e.g. The Lions or Rotary
International. Rotary International have helped a
number of sailing groups start up. Foundation for
Sport and the Arts is worth approaching but since
the advent of The National Lottery its funds have
been depleted. RYA Sailability is also a source but
you stand a better chance of receiving help from RYAS
if your club is a RTC by the RYA.
3. Private sources such as loans from supporters or
financial institutions. Please remember t hat these
need to be repaid and will in most cases generate
interest. Commercial Sponsorship is perhaps the best
as you can give something in return such as Corporate
Days, advertising on your literature and boats etc.
4. Public sources such as The National Lottery. Awards
for All and Sportsmatch. Sportsmatch is well worth
contacting to tie up with your commercial funders
especially if your project is a ‘Start Up’
‘Grass Roots’, ‘Special Needs’
or a 2 -3.year project. There are conditions , the
main one being that your commercial sponsor(s) must
contribute a minimum of £1,000 each for them
to match it. There is no problem with ‘consortiums’
combing resources to fund projects costing many thousands
of pounds if they meet the Sportsmatch criteria.
5. Don’t forget ‘Gift Aid’, if you
register as a charity you can claim the tax paid to
the Inland Revenue by your donors if they are UK Tax
Payers. Currently this amount to some 28p in the pound
so a donation of £50 becomes £64. This
does mean some more form filling but well worth while
especially if you can persuade some benefactors to
make out standing orders. Contact your local Inland
Revenue office to find out more and get the necessary
forms.
6. Every Public Library has a Directory of Charitable
Organisations. This lists all charities and their
funding interests. It is a time consuming job finding
out if these ‘interests’ match yours but
can be a worthwhile exercise.
Considerations
Before setting out on the fund raising trail you must
make sure what your aims are. You need to show that
you know what you are doing and that your financial
plans are sound and that you have done your best to
raise the funds for your project from within your
own sailing community. You must have the aforementioned
Development Plan and a written constitution to prove
that your organisation is being run properly.
Make sure that the person heading up the project knows
all the implications of the project, what the pitfalls
might be. He must be sure of his ground and be enthusiastic
about what is being done. Check any forms that have
to be filled in thoroughly before you start to fill
them in and make sure the questions you answer on
page 15 match up with the answers you gave on page
1.
Don’t forget that these organisations
exist to distribute make available funds for projects.
Without you they would not have a job. Ask questions,
seek information and available publications from them
to help you become successful in your application.
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