Funding Tips

Funding Applications - Hints and Tips


Some of the following helpful hints may appear simple or obvious at first glance, but unfortunately these are the things that are most often omitted when preparing a submission, particularly when doing so under time pressure

Getting Started

Before submitting an application for any funding program, contact the administering agency to obtain further details on the program and ensure that program funds are currently available. Whilst Tourism Queensland makes every effort to provide users with the most up-to-date information on all schemes listed on TAD, the administering agency is the best source of advice on their program.

So what are the major questions you should ask yourself when starting to prepare your funding application? Your answers to the following six questions will form the basis for your submission:

Why Do We Need The Funding?


  • What are your reasons for undertaking the project?
  • Why is the project important?
  • What relevant background information and research is required?

How Are We Going To Undertake The Project?

  • What does the project involve, who does it involve or affect and how will we evaluate project outcomes?
  • What planning has been undertaken to date, including business and marketing plans, feasibility studies, economic impact studies, concept plans and planning approvals?
  • What further planning is required?

When Are We Going To Undertake The Project?

  • How long will each phase of the project take and what activities will be undertaken in each phase?

What Do We Hope To Achieve?

  • What are our anticipated outcomes of the project, in both the short and long term?
  • For example, what potential does our project have to promote tourism growth by increasing yield and/or visitor numbers, creating long term employment opportunities and providing flow on economic benefits for the community?

What Are Our Funding And Other Resource Requirements?

  • What are our resource requirements and how much will they cost?
  • Be realistic and detailed.
  • How will we fund the project after the grant money is exhausted?

With Whom Do We Need To Consult About Our Project?

  • With whom do we need to consult?
  • How do we need to consult with them? (for example, face to face meetings, formal letters, email, etc.)
  • How often should we consult with them?

Building Your Case…


Consider the following tips when building your case:

  • Funders want winners! Show that your proposal has all the necessary support, is well thought out and is ready to implement
  • Create a brief yet powerful argument for funding - but avoid highly emotional language or one-sided impressions
  • Use hard, accurate statistical data to scope the dimensions of the problem your project is addressing. It will provide evidence that your organisation has done the hard work to thoroughly understand the issues and what it takes to address them
  • Make sure that the data you provide is actually helpful to your case - statistics that are irrelevant, out of date or incorrect will damage your case, perhaps irreparably
  • Develop clear and well-defined project objectives
  • Clearly identify the goals of the funding program and constantly relate your submission to those goals
  • Focus on the project's benefits and achievable outcomes
  • Emphasise past achievements/experience that support your case
  • Explain the means and timeframe by which the project will become self-sustaining
  • Develop a clearly defined time-line for project planning, implementation, and evaluation
  • Quantify the outcomes of your project if possible
  • Has your project been identified in strategic, economic and/or tourism plans for the local area, region or broader? If so, link this in

Writing The Application…


Consider the following tips when writing your application:

  • Be clear and concise - remember your application will be one of a vast number
  • Make sure all items on the application form are complete
  • Use basic English, and avoid jargon
  • Spell out acronyms in full
  • Have someone review the proposal for clarity and consistency then proofread a second time for accuracy and completeness
  • Be consistent with terms, references, and format of writing style and do not assume that your readers understand the terms
  • Always prioritise substance over gloss
  • Presentation is important - be professional but not 'over the top'
  • Consider the use of photos or maps if relevant and available
  • Include letters of support - but don't place an over-reliance on them (support alone does not make for a viable project)

General Things To Consider….


Consider the following general points when preparing your funding submission:

  • An attitude that the funding is deserved (not just expected) is important
  • If it is a committee decision, try to identify the committee members and talk to them about your project before you submit (not always possible).
  • Be prepared to spend money of your own - few programs these days offer 100% funding
  • Don't be afraid to ask for advice in developing the project concept and/or preparing the funding application
  • Find programs that meet your project - don't try and change your project to meet the program
  • Evidence of partnerships (particularly with Regional Tourist Organisations and Local Government Authorities) is important.
    Tell people about the fact that you're putting in an application- particularly those from whom you will later seek a letter of support and those whom may provide advice to the funding agency about your application
  • Consult with key agencies about your project prior to requesting a letter of support
  • Allow ample time for key agencies to provide a letter of support (we recommend two weeks) and expect that these people will want information on the project, such as a draft submission
  • Build a network and an on-going relationship with the funding agency (for example, use your local MP as a first point of introduction to the funding agency)
  • Be prepared to wait - invariably there is a significant turnaround time on funding applications
  • Be prepared for rejection - no matter how good you think your project is - and have a back-up plan just in case
  • Request feedback from the funding agency as to why you weren't successful
  • Don't give up! You might be successful next time around or through a different program