By Nuala Macauley, Funding Manager for Reaching Out Supporting Families

Are you thinking of applying to our Reaching Out Supporting Families programme? We want to fund projects that will make a real difference to the lives of families with children under the age of 12, and grants of up to £700,000 are available to five year projects that can do this. I manage a team who are assessing applications at the moment – and I’ve put together some pointers to give your project the best possible chance of success.

1. Outcomes

Firstly, check that your project meets all of the programme outcomes. You’ll find these in the guidance notes. Then your project outcomes must show what difference your project will make to the people who will benefit. What will the impact be on their lives?

2. Evidence of Need

Think carefully about why this project is needed in your community. You must be able to give clear evidence of how you know it’s needed. You could do this by gathering statistics, doing surveys, showing research and talking to the people your project will help.

3. Strong Partnership

The programme is only open to partnerships, and you should explain the key roles and responsibilities of your partner organisations. You must also be able to show their commitment to the project.

4. Beneficiaries

Keep the people you will help and support centre stage – show that they will be involved at every stage of your project.

5. Planning

Remember to show that your project is well planned and costed, has all the necessary resources in place and can be delivered well.

This is just a short taster of the advice we have to offer on this programme. If you want to find out more about what makes a good application to Supporting Families, please read this document or go to our website where you’ll find even more tips from our funding team.

Good luck with your application!