Applying for funding can sometimes feel complicated, so we’ve created a set of short guides to help. Each one explains a different part of the application process in plain language. You don’t need to read everything – just choose the sections that are most helpful for you.

Guidance for Grant Applicants
Applying for a Community Grant from Stratford Town Trust

This guide explains how our application process works, from submitting a short Expression of Interest through to the full application and final decision by Trustees. It also shares a few tips about what we look for and how to present your work clearly.

1: Start with a short Expression of Interest 

Before completing a full application, we ask you to submit a short Expression of Interest (EOI). You’ll find the form on our website. You’re also very welcome to speak to us first. A quick conversation can often help shape an idea before you apply. 

In the EOI, we’ll ask you to briefly outline: 

  • what you want to do.
  • who it will benefit.
  • how much funding you’re seeking.  

Our grants team reviews all EOIs. If your idea looks like a good fit, we’ll invite you to submit a full application. If not, we’ll explain why and offer feedback where we can. 

2: Full application 

If you’re invited to continue, the full application is your chance to explain your work in more detail. We’ll ask about things like: 

  • Community involvement: how the people affected by the work are involved or consulted.
  • The difference it will make: the outcomes or changes you expect to see.
  • Partnership working: whether you’re collaborating with other organisations. 
  • Your budget and finances.
  • Your wider organisation, particularly if you’re applying for core funding. 

 

A few helpful tips: 

  • Be clear and concise about what you want to do and why it matters. 
  • Show how your work connects to local needs. 
  • Use real examples or stories if they help explain your impact. 
  • If you have short videos, photos or case studies, feel free to include them.  
Talking with your community before you apply

We want to understand how your work connects with the people it’s for. This guide explains simple ways to gather views from your community and show that your idea or project reflects real local needs.

If you’re thinking about applying for funding from Stratford Town Trust, one of the most helpful things you can show is that your idea matters to the people it’s for. 

That doesn’t mean a big formal consultation. Often the most useful insights come from simple conversations with the people who know the issue best. 

1. Think about your community 

If it’s a new project, be clear about who the project is for. For example: 

  • young people. 
  • older people experiencing loneliness. 
  • families who need extra support.
  • people who care about a local green space. 

Knowing who you want to help will guide the conversations you have. 

If it’s existing work, talk to people already connected to your organisation: 

  • service users.
  • volunteers.
  • local partners. 
  • people who benefit from your activities. 

Their experiences help show the difference your work makes. 

 

2. Have honest conversations 

Consultation doesn’t have to be complicated. What matters is listening. Projects shaped with community input are usually stronger. 

  • Keep it simple: explain your idea in clear, everyday language. 
  • Ask for views: what do people like? what could be better? 
  • Stay open: feedback might shape or improve your plans.  

 

3. Show what you learned 

In your application, tell us what people said and how it influenced your plans. For example, you might include: 

  • notes from conversations or short surveys.
  • sketches or ideas for a new project.
  • stories, quotes or feedback from people involved.
  • photos or examples of activities.  

A few simple ways to gather views. 

You could: 

  • chat with people after activities.
  • run a short survey.
  • host a small discussion. 
  • speak to people at local events. 
  • work with another local group. 

Need help or have any questions? 

If you’re unsure where to start, please get in touch. James or David are always happy to help. 

Showing community support for Core Funding

If you’re applying for core funding from Stratford Town Trust, you’re already doing valuable work in the community. What we’re interested in seeing is how you stay connected to the people you support and how their voices shape what you do. 

1. Show the difference your work makes 

Help us understand your impact. You might include: 

  • Stories from the people you support.
  • Feedback or quotes from service users or volunteers.
  • Simple data showing who you reach and how often.
  • Letters of support from partners or local organisations. 

2. Show how you listen and adapt 

Strong organisations keep learning from their community. For example, you might: 

  • gather feedback through conversations, surveys, or informal check-ins.
  • involve users or volunteers in shaping activities.
  • hold open events or discussions about your work.
  • work with other local organisations to respond to shared challenges. 

 

A few practical ideas:

You might stay connected with your community by: 

  • asking for feedback during activities.
  • running a short online survey.
  • sharing updates on social media. 
  • holding occasional open sessions or discussions. 

It doesn’t need to be complicated; it’s more about being thoughtful and consistent. 

A final thought 

Core funding is about sustaining work that people value. When you can show that your community is involved in shaping and supporting what you do, it helps us understand why your organisation plays an important role in Stratford. 

If you’d like to talk through your plans, James or David are always happy to help. 

What do we mean by ‘outcomes’?

Funding applications often ask about outcomes. This short guide explains the difference between activities, outputs, and outcomes, and helps you describe the real change your work aims to create. 

What do we mean by an ‘Outcome’? 

When you apply for funding, we’ll ask about the outcomes your project hopes to achieve. In simple terms, an outcome is the difference your work makes in people’s lives.

Activities, outputs, and outcomes 

Projects usually create change in stages: 

Activities: what you do
These are the things you organise or deliver. 
Examples: workshops, support sessions, events, mentoring. 

Example: 
Run six money-management workshops for local families. 

Outputs: what you deliver
These are the immediate results of those activities - things you can count. 

Example: 
50 people attend the workshops, and six toolkits are shared. 

Outcomes: what changes 
This is the important part: the difference it makes. 

Example: 
Participants feel more confident managing their finances and start making changes to their spending. 

Activities → Outputs → Outcomes. 
What you do → what happens → what changes. 

What makes a good outcome? 

A good outcome is a clear statement about the change you hope your project will help create. 

Strong outcomes are usually S.M.A.R.T: 

  • Specific: Targeting a particular area for improvement
  • Measurable: Quantifying, or at least suggesting, an indicator of progress
  • Achievable: Defining responsibility clearly
  • Realistic: Outlining attainable results with available resources
  • Time-related: Including a timeline for expected results

You don’t need lots of them. Two to four meaningful outcomes are usually enough, for example:

Activity: weekly creative sessions for older people. 
Output: 10 sessions delivered with 15 people attending. 
Outcome: most participants say they feel less lonely and more connected to others. 

Activity: CV workshops for unemployed young people. 
Output: 20 young people attend three sessions. 
Outcome: participants create a CV and begin applying for jobs or courses with more confidence. 

 

It often helps to think about three things: 

Who will benefit? 
What will change? 
How might you know? 

For example: 

  • Most participants will report greater confidence managing their mental health. 
  • Families attending the sessions will report stronger routines and less stress at home.
  • Young carers in the project will set and achieve a personal wellbeing or education goal.
  • Participants in budgeting workshops will take at least one action to improve their finances.
  • Older people attending regular activities will say they feel more connected to others.

A final tip

Focus on the change people experience because of your work. You don’t need to measure everything. Just focus on the changes that matter most and tell us how you know they’re happening.

Keeping track of the difference you’re making

Once your project is underway, it’s important to keep track of what’s happening and the difference it’s making.

Why this matters: 

Keeping track of your work helps you: 

  • See progress: are your activities happening as planned? 
  • Learn and improve: what’s working well? What could be better? 
  • Show impact: help us and the community understand the difference your work is making.  

 

Keep it simple:

You don’t need complex systems. Start with a few practical ways to capture what’s happening. For example: 

  • a simple spreadsheet to track activities.
  • short feedback surveys.
  • quotes or stories from participants.
  • photos from events or activities. 

The goal is to capture the change, not just the number of people. 

What to keep an eye on! 

It can help to think about three simple things. 

- Activities: What you planned to do (workshops, sessions, events, support services etc). 

- Who you reached: How many people took part or benefited. 

- What changed: What difference did it make? For example: 

  • people learning new skills.
  • improved confidence or wellbeing.
  • better access to support or services. 

 

A few helpful tips: 

  • Set yourself clear goals at the start so you know what success looks like. 
  • Check in regularly with people (including those delivering your work), not just at the end of the project. 
  • Capture feedback from participants - their experiences matter. 
  • Use stories as well as numbers to show the real impact.  

 

We’re here to help 

If you’re unsure how best to capture the difference your project is making, please get in touch. James or David are always happy to help. 

How we make decisions

Assessment and decision 

Our grants team carefully reviews each application. We look at how well the project aligns with our priorities and the difference it could make locally. During this stage we may contact you to ask questions or clarify details. 

Applications are then scored and reviewed, but decisions aren’t made on scores alone. We also think about: 

  • supporting a range of organisations.
  • balancing large and small organisations.
  • making sure funding reaches different parts of the community. 

After assessment, the team makes a recommendation, and our Trustees make the final decision. This stage usually takes around 6–8 weeks.