This resource is for people applying for funding for their non-profit\u2019s digital costs. <\/p>\n
The article will be relevant if you\u2019re seeking funding for core digital costs, a hybrid service, or a 100% \u2018digital-first\u2019 service. The higher the percentage of digital costs in your budget, the more useful it will be.<\/p>\n
It is based on interviews with 7 people working for large UK grantmakers. These people have already explained how they view digital funding in 2024<\/a>. <\/p>\n Note: this article mainly uses the term \u2018funding for digital costs\u2019 rather than \u2018digital funding\u2019. Read <\/em>why we think it is a better term<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n In \u2018How grantmakers view digital funding in 2024\u2019 we learnt that funders now see digital costs and projects as normal ways of delivering charitable work. Because of this they no longer run digital funding programmes. Instead they expect you to include digital costs in applications to their regular programmes.<\/p>\n We also learnt that they:<\/p>\n Here\u2019s their advice on the process of making an application.<\/p>\n This is both funders\u2019 advice and ours. If you feel uncertain about any aspect of your application contact the funder and ask their advice. <\/p>\n They said:<\/p>\n \u201cWe see the same uncertainty about digital in applications that we feel as a funder. If you have any uncertainties then communicate with us first.\u201d – Funder B<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cIf there is any uncertainty, send in an enquiry pre-application. Then you can talk to us about specifics.\u201d – Funder W<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Questions you could ask funders include:<\/p>\n If you\u2019re taking a digital approach or have significant digital costs you must evidence the need for it.<\/p>\n Do your research. Run a solid discovery process<\/a>. Understand what you want to deliver. Evidence why it needs to be delivered digitally to the people who will use or benefit from it. Don’t be vague. <\/p>\n We think that you might still want to include service or product testing in your budget, but only so you can refine and iterate the outputs as you deliver them.<\/p>\n Funders told us:<\/p>\n \u201cDo the work to understand what will be delivered before you make the application.\u201d – Funder L<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cWe are not awarding funding for brainstorming, fact finding, or auditing what you have. You need to do this first.\u201d – Funder G<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cMake sure the case for need and benefit is clear and it is driven by beneficiaries.\u201d – Funder W<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cMake sure feedback comes from the beneficiaries and their desire to do it digitally rather than your organisation\u2019s desire or assumption.\u201d – Funder B<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cMake the case for why a digital service would be better than in-person – that\u2019s the key thing. If you can, support that with data – for example, ‘what changed when we did a digital service in the pandemic, or feedback from participants.\u201d – Funder S<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n It\u2019s important that you explain digital terms in your application. Otherwise your application\u2019s assessors may not understand them. Then they become a barrier to a favourable assessment. <\/p>\n Explaining digital terms also shows confidence in your digital understanding and plans. This in turn helps assessors feel confident in your organisation.<\/p>\n Funders told us:<\/p>\n \u201cAvoid jargon!\u201d – Funder S<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cAssume that the funder doesn’t know much about it (digital).\u201d – Funder N<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cMake the digital make sense. Make it an asset rather than something that might be a barrier to the funding officer\u2019s understanding.\u201d – Funder W<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cApplications can use jargon or software names we may not have heard of. Make it clear and don’t assume we know what the platform or service is as tech is fast-changing. There can be things we haven’t heard of.\u201d – Funder T<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cIf you don’t seem to know what you are talking about, it does not instil confidence that the project will do well.\u201d – Funder G<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Most funders want to see you take a full cost recovery approach. We think this is good advice. Consider the true costs of your project, including staff development. <\/p>\n This might mean adding a single budget line like you would for specific activities like evaluation. <\/p>\n Or, if digital makes up a large percentage of the budget, it might mean taking a more atomised approach. In this case, break down your digital costs and explain them in your application.<\/p>\n Funders said:<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are the true costs of your project? That’s something to consider.\u201d – Funder N<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cShow significant digital costs separately in the budget. Then talk us through your core proposition and how digital is part of that.\u201d – Funder G<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cGive an explanation of why the salary is that level. Remember to include staff development costs.\u201d – Funder W<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cWe are used to seeing a certain percentage of a grant be about digital or evaluation, for example.\u201d – Funder B<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cJustify costs that the funder wouldn’t necessarily know about.\u201d – Funder T<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cWe are becoming used to seeing 10% for digital maintenance. But if yours is 80% digital then you need to spend time thinking about why and making it clear in your application.\u201d – Funder L<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n We heard variations of this in every interview. And similar advice appears in every article in this series, for example:<\/p>\n Read funders\u2019 guidance. Check their previous grants on 360 GrantNav<\/a>. Then check how closely your proposal will align with their priorities and strategies. <\/p>\n If it aligns close enough then: <\/p>\n Funders told us:<\/p>\n \u201cAlways make sure that you align your application to the programme requirements.\u201d – Funder T<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cThink about assessors who are looking to see the beneficiary change.\u201d – Funder G<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cCreating a theory of change adds value as it makes you think about the how of doing it and getting to the end point.\u201d – Funder L<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n One funder also expressed concern that how projects are described could create uncertainty about whether \u201cit is the type of thing we fund\u201d. They suggested avoiding too much focus on digital early in the bid, then later on explaining it in the same way as any other delivery method.<\/p>\n You need to Instil confidence in your organisation\u2019s capability. So show funders how digital is integral to your operations. Show them that you think strategically and intentionally about digital. Don\u2019t silo it.<\/p>\n Funders said:<\/p>\n \u201cMake it clear that the digital aspect is a core part of your work and how you deliver against your outcomes.\u201d – Funder G<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cBe clear about what difference the digital costs will make to the organisation itself. What is the connection?\u201d – Funder B<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cDon’t see digital as a separate part of your work.\u201d – Funder L<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cI wouldn’t advise hiving off digital as a separate area to be funded.\u201d – Funder N<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Digital may not affect the outcome of your application. Accept that funding is highly competitive. The presence of digital costs and approaches in your application may not decide its success.<\/p>\n Funders told us:<\/p>\n \u201cIt’s not always the digital that does or doesn’t clinch it.\u201d – Funder B<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \u201cYou might not get funded, simply as its competitive applications.\u201d – Funder S<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Your digital confidence is important. If you don\u2019t feel confident in your understanding of digital costs and approach then your bid will reflect it. This will not impress your assessor.<\/p>\n There are ways to become more confident.<\/p>\n Or see the full list of Catalyst services<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018Digital funding\u2019 is quite a broad term. Read what we mean by digital funding.<\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s lots you can do to strengthen any application for digital costs. These articles will help you:<\/p>\n Want to understand your core digital costs and budget better? Dot Project\u2019s series of 3 articles will help you:<\/p>\nRecap: digital is normal now<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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1. Talk to each funder first<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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2. Show why a digital approach is needed <\/strong><\/h2>\n
3. Make digital terms make sense<\/strong><\/h2>\n
4. Include all digital costs and explain big ones<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5. Describe the work in relation to the programme\u2019s theme and outcomes<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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6. Show your organisation\u2019s approach to digital<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Applications fail for many reasons<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Ways to get more digitally confident<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Further information<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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