Question 1

If we cannot pay upfront, can you write the grant and take a commission or percentage of the award?

Accepted Answer

The straight answer is no. Working on a commission or percentage basis is neither ethical nor good professional practice. Charity Grants HQ founder Elisha Fiador is a member of the United Kingdom Institute of Fundraising (MInstF), which along with international bodies like the Grants Professionals Association, strictly frowns upon commission-based services.

Writing for grants requires extensive professional research, strategic formulation, and drafting time, with no guarantee of success. Furthermore, charitable funders allocate money solely for designated project delivery and beneficiaries; budgets cannot include lines to pay commission fees to bid writers. For this reason, professional time is charged on clear, transparent consultancy terms.

Question 2

How sure are you that our organisation will win a grant?

Accepted Answer

There are several critical factors to assess before determining whether an organisation is ready to pursue grants. Generally speaking, an organisation must be properly constituted, grant-ready, and have clear evidence of community impact. While strong, evidence-based applications significantly improve how well your project is presented, funding decisions rest entirely with independent funder committees and trustees. No credible grant specialist can or should guarantee that an application will be funded 100% of the time.

Question 3

We are a grassroots community group not yet registered as a charity. Can we get grants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but with limitations. If you are an unregistered community association, you can still access certain small grants provided your group is properly constituted. This means you must have an adopted constitution or governing rules, a dedicated committee of credible management members, an active bank account in the organisation’s name with two or more unrelated signatories, and clear evidence of beneficial work in your community.

However, because more than 90% of trusts and foundations require a registered charity number, we strongly advise community groups to pursue formal charity registration to unlock the widest possible range of funding.

Question 4

Our charity is based in the UK but supports projects in Africa. Can we secure grants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. In addition to major statutory programmes, there are dozens of trusts and foundations in the UK, Europe, and the United States (including the Rockefeller Foundation, Comic Relief, and international development trusts) that regularly fund education, healthcare, water, and community development projects in Africa and the developing world. Charity Grants HQ has extensive experience securing international foundation awards for initiatives in Ghana and West Africa.

Question 5

What should our charity do when a grant funder is visiting our premises?

Accepted Answer

A funder visit is a tremendous opportunity to showcase your impact and build rapport. First, remain calm and welcoming. Ensure your leadership and finance officer are present with up-to-date management accounts. Speak with passion, conviction, and honesty about your beneficiaries and project milestones. Be candid about challenges—never guess answers to financial or governance questions; politely offer to verify and follow up. Ask the funder thoughtful questions about their strategic priorities to establish a genuine, two-way relationship.

Question 6

Can I write the grant proposal myself without prior training?

Accepted Answer

Writing a competitive grant proposal is a specialised discipline that requires understanding needs assessments, SMART outcomes, logical frameworks, and funder guidelines. While many nonprofit workers learn on the job, attempting it without guidance often results in repeated rejections. We recommend studying proven models, taking our 'Writing for Grants Made Easy eCourse', or using our mentorship programme to learn the right formula step-by-step.

Question 7

Can a startup business or commercial enterprise access grants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, although business grants operate under very different rules than charitable grants. Government agencies, local enterprise partnerships, and schemes like the Regional Growth Fund or Princes Trust support early-stage and high-growth commercial enterprises. Unlike charities that apply with community cases for support, businesses must submit robust business plans demonstrating job creation, regional economic impact, innovation, and commercial viability.

Question 8

How long does it take to develop a complete grant proposal?

Accepted Answer

Depending on the complexity of the funder's application and whether your organisation already has its case for support and project budget assembled, a thorough, evidence-based proposal typically takes between 2 to 4 weeks. We strongly advise against starting applications a few days before a closing deadline.

Clear Answers on Grants, Ethics & Process

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Clear Answers on Grants, Ethics & Process

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