How your website can help with funding bids

Having a website can be useful for lots of reasons – it provides information about your group to new participants and volunteers as well as keeping your existing participants up to date.

For Funders, a website is a good first port of call to see what your group does, it’s goals, track record and aims. Funders need to see if your group delivery aligns with your funding application and the evidence from your website can be a key part of that picture.

What are funders looking for?

When you apply for funding, one of the first things you’ll write on your application is your website address, along with other social media links – Facebook page, X(Twitter) and possibly other platforms.

Funding bodies are looking for evidence that your group is who you say you are – how long you’ve been operating, who your target audience is, as well as the services you deliver, your mission, aims and goals.

This is part of the funders’ due diligence, they need to check the legal status of your group, governance, policies and who the Trustees are. Whilst not all this information needs to be on your website, you can show funders that your group has the capacity and experience to deliver the project you are requesting funding for.

Why funders look at your website

Grants officers need to get a feel for your group beyond what you’ve written on an application form. They receive hundreds (thousands!) of applications for every grant, so showing off your group as being deserving of the grant can be a challenge.

Here’s some of the things funders are looking at:

does the organisation fit with the funders’ mission and values?
can the group demonstrate and measure impact?
does the group have the leadership and capacity to deliver the project?

Your funding application will be where you talk about your new project, on your website you can show off previous successes – show funders that you have the capacity to deliver. Do ensure you credit previous funding if you’ve had any, this will build a case for new funding applications.

Don’t worry if you don’t have prior funded projects to show off – make the most of what you have already done with the resources you have. By telling your story you can show how your group is fulfilling your aims in your community.

Top tips

Be clear about your organisation’s aims – it’s mission and purpose
Show off your successes – a picture tells a thousand words
Have regard for confidentiality and ensure you have permission to use any images of participants
Highlight your track record of delivering successful projects
Use a personal touch: introduce your key people and their roles in the organisation
Optimise your site for mobile viewing – most people will be viewing your site on a mobile
Share your impact – shout about your amazing work
Keep the navigation simple and clear
Ensure you’re able to easily update your website