Find funding that fits your Leeds community group
A practical way to shortlist grants, check eligibility and prepare a clear budget before spending time on an application.
## Start with the work, then look for a funder
Write down the change you want to make, who will benefit, where the work will happen and what it will cost. A clear project makes it easier to judge whether a grant fits. Changing your purpose to chase an unsuitable award can leave your group with work it cannot sustain.
## Make a shortlist you can actually use
Use Funding on Leeds Patch to identify opportunities. For each one, note the eligible organisation types, geographic coverage, grant size, deadline and decision time. Compare these with your constitution, activity area, budget and planned start date. Do not assume a Leeds address alone makes your group eligible.
## Separate opportunities from advice
A funding resource explains a process; it is not necessarily an open grant. Leeds Patch labels resources separately. Check the review date and any closing date before committing time. If a detail is missing or unclear, write down the exact question you need answered before applying.
## Build the budget before writing the story
List delivery costs, staff time, access needs, equipment and any permitted contribution to running costs. State your assumptions and keep the totals consistent throughout the application. Leeds Community Foundation's grants resources include a budgeting calculator, example applications and reports, an eligibility tool and explanations of funding terms. These are useful preparation aids; the particular fund's rules still decide what it will support.
## Keep a simple decision record
Record why an opportunity fits, the documents you need, who will check the application and the date you will decide whether to proceed. Leave time for a second person to read the budget and claims. A smaller shortlist of suitable opportunities is more useful than a long list you cannot act on.
## Next step
Choose one opportunity and complete its eligibility check. If it fits, prepare the budget and supporting documents. If it does not, save the reason and move on. No directory or guide can guarantee an award.
What this could mean
Practical steps for a community organisation; choose what fits your circumstances.
What remains uncertain
Original general guidance. It does not guarantee funding, attendance or outcomes. Check the specific provider or fund requirements.
Source: Leeds Patch