by Author Carol Reid

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Thinking of applying for Youth Music funding? Check out these essential top tips!

Youth Music recently awarded its first Fund A, B and C grants under the refreshed programme. The Grants and Learning Team have provided their top tips on how to make a strong application so that you can increase the chances of securing funding for your music-making project.

 

  • When demonstrating the need, try and do so in relation to your specific project, going beyond generic evidence that proves the value of music-making.  Direct consultation with the groups you are working is one way to strengthen this.
  • Follow the guidance – it might sound painfully obvious but it's what you put on paper that counts. The assessment framework is based around the information we ask you to provide.  The less information you provide, the less the assessors have to go on.
  • Be specific - the devil is often in the detail – ‘weekly music-making sessions’ doesn’t really tell the assessor much.
  • Look at the specific eligibility criteria for the fund and demonstrate the extent to which you meet it. You can get in touch with Youth Music if you are unsure.
  • Try and convince the assessor that you know about the characteristics and best ways of working with your target groups, whether this be catering for specific needs or differentiating activities for different age groups.
  • Get an independent person to look over your application.  Perfect grammar and punctuation would be nice, but it's much more important that your application is well articulated and easy to follow.
  • See what organisations in your local area might be able to support you.  Your local Council for Voluntary Service or voluntary and community sector network probably won’t be music experts but may be able to provide more general funding advice.  In addition, organisations such as www.childrenengland.org.uk hold up-to-date policy information on children and young people.
  • Be aware of Youth Music's priorities.  If you don't demonstrate that you meet all of these then you will be unlikely to be awarded funding.
  • Demonstrate how you know about local music provision for children and young people, and how your application fits into it. Check out our project search and organisation directory to see who is operating in your area.
  • Get the right partners on board, and tell us what they are going to do – particularly where they can add value or bring an extra dimension to what you are doing.
  • Think of the application the same way you would a job application – sell yourself and demonstrate your knowledge and skills.  Assume that the assessor has no prior knowledge of your organisation.
  • Be considered in what you apply for – we are in a very competitive environment at the moment.  It may be better to focus on a smaller, sustained programme of work rather than submitting an application that is overly aspirational.
  • This may sound like a lot to get in within the word count, but it is possible and it has been done! 

Good luck in developing your application!

 

Youth Music aims to continue to improve its grants processes (albeit within a finite resource allocation) so please continue to feed back your comments on the process by contacting us.