4 Things a Former Grants Officer Wished Trustees Knew
11th November 2026
Trustees’ Week is a great opportunity to celebrate all the contributions trustees make to the charity sector. As a former Grants Officer, I wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the things I learned in my previous roles.
Do Your Research
Before you start writing an application, spend some time researching the funder’s eligibility criteria, deadlines, priorities, and organisations/projects they have supported recently. If the grant funder is a registered charity, their Charity Commission page and accounts can be a good source of information. Make sure to submit your application on time, tailor it to the funder’s priorities, and rule out any funders that your organisation or project isn’t eligible to apply to. If you’re not sure, see if you can get in touch – some funders will even offer an opportunity to discuss an application ahead of submission.
Submit Any Requested Supporting Information
Many funders will request a number of supporting documents. Make sure you submit these if they’ve been asked for – don’t assume you will be chased for anything that is missing. Your charity’s accounts will often be one of these documents, so make sure they are prepared appropriately, signed, independently examined or audited (if necessary), and submitted to the Charity Commission on time. Please get in touch if you think we can help with any of these services.
Consider a Range of Funding Sources
Some funders will want to see that a certain amount of funding for a project has been raised from other sources before you apply, and, more generally, making use of a range of funding sources can help your charity to be more sustainable in the long term. Think creatively about new and different ways you might raise funds. You could also try researching the income streams of other similar organisations for ideas and inspiration.
- Fundraising guidance from the Charity Commission.
- Guidance from the Fundraising Regulator.
- Guidance from the NCVO.
Read the Ts&Cs Carefully
If you’re fortunate enough to be awarded a grant, take the time to read the Ts&Cs and any correspondence carefully, as they’re likely to contain important information such as restrictions on how the funding can be spent, how to claim it, and how the funder wants to be credited. Ensure you’re aware of, and happy with, any conditions attached to your grant, so they don’t take you by surprise later on.
Conclusion
Trustees don’t need to be grant-funding experts, but good preparation can make a real difference. Doing research on the grant funder, the requirements of your grant, and having a strong understanding of your charity’s overall income sources will help trustees manage grant funding successfully.
