The scheduled meeting of Trustees took place on 26 September, where ten new grant applications that had been submitted by organisations and individuals were discussed. Of these, the Trustees agreed to provide financial awards to eight applicants.  Two applications were unsuccessful and a third was deferred to allow additional information to be sought from the applicant.

Why are some grant applications unsuccessful, you may ask. Several factors can contribute to this outcome, and understanding these can help applicants refine their approach in the future. 

The following are some of the main reasons why we, the Loaningdale Trust, do not approve grant awards.

1. Failure to Align with Charity’s Mission

We have a specific mission:  “to support young people (up to 25 years old) who live in the Clydesdale area of South Lanarkshire by providing grants that will improve their lives, with the priority of benefitting those most in need”.   Applications that fail to align with this mission are often rejected. Applicants must ensure their project resonates with our core values and objectives, and a lack of understanding of the charity’s mission can lead to a mismatch, reducing the chances of success.  

For example, we can only provide grants, which benefit children and young people who live in the Clydesdale area of South Lanarkshire.  The Trust is unable to provide grants that do not meet this basic criteria.

2. Incomplete Applications and Lack of Clarity

This is another common issue. Missing documents and requested information, vague descriptions, or incomplete budgets are concerns for Trustees when assessing a grant. We expect applicants to provide all necessary information to allow us to make informed decisions. 

Also, the absence of a clear purpose of the grant and lack of detail when listing expected expenses, can cause an application to be rejected, or at the very least, delayed until the information becomes available to allow a decision to be made. Charities need to trust that their funds will be used efficiently and effectively. An unclear budget or one that lacks detailed justifications for expenses can raise concerns about financial management and project feasibility.

We often look to fund projects with a defined positive impact for the young people in Clydesdale. If the application does not clearly state what the project aims to achieve and how success will be measured, it’s unlikely to stand out.

Understanding why grant applications fail is crucial for future success. Applicants should aim to present clear, realistic, and well-aligned proposals with complete information and strong evidence of need, which can improve their chances of securing valuable funding.

The next meeting of the Loaningdale Trust is on 28 November 2024 and all grant applications for this meeting should be submitted by 14 November 2024.