How to Find Grants and Funding for Your Organisation – A Practical Guide

Looking for funding can feel overwhelming – but with the right tools and a little know-how, you can take charge of the process and find grants, sponsorship, and other support for your project or organisation. At GVS, we’re here to help – but we also want to empower you to search independently and confidently.

Here’s your step-by-step guide to finding funding opportunities, staying up to date, and even using AI to save time and generate ideas.

1. Start with Free Grant Information Sources

There are several places you can search for grants online – many of them completely free:

• GVS Funding Information – Visit our website’s funding pages GVS Funding — GVS to access regularly updated funding news and resources, or complete our funding search request form and we can undertake a search for you.

• Funding Wales – WCVA’S Funding Portal funding.cymru is a free search engine that lists grants for the voluntary sector in Wales.

• The National Lottery Community Fund – TNL Community Fund supports projects that help people and communities thrive.

• Local Authority Grants – Check your local council website for community funds and small grant schemes.

• Government Funding Finder – Find a Grant lists UK government grants that charities can apply for.

• GrantFinder (paid subscription fees may apply for some funds) – Learn more here. A professional database of funders, used by some local authorities and grant-makers.

2. Sign Up for Funding Newsletters

One of the easiest ways to stay informed is by subscribing to free funding newsletters. They deliver opportunities straight to your inbox:

• GVS Funding E-Bulletin – Sign up here for regular funding news and deadlines for organisations in the Vale of Glamorgan. You could also become a GVS member for free to be able to access the latest funding updates and additional support.

• WCVA’s Funding Newsletter – Subscribe here to get national funding updates across Wales.

• Community Foundation Wales – Join their mailing list to hear about new grant rounds.

• Grants Online – Sign up for free alerts (paid upgrade available, but basic alerts are free).

• Charity Excellence Framework – Register for free to access their funding finder tool and newsletter.

Tips for Managing Your Newsletters

Subscribing to several newsletters is great — but it can get overwhelming if they flood your inbox. Here are a few ways to stay organised:

• Create a “Funding” Folder – Set up a dedicated folder in your email and create rules/filters so all funding emails go there automatically.

• Skim Weekly, Not Daily – Choose a day each week to quickly scan the headlines and save only the opportunities that are relevant to your organisation.

• Use a Spreadsheet or Tracker – Note down funders, deadlines, and eligibility criteria as you go. This helps you build your own tailored funding calendar.

• Let AI Help You – Tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot can summarise long newsletters into key opportunities.

AI Prompt for Summarising a Newsletter:

“Summarise the following newsletter into a bullet-point list of funding opportunities, including funder name, deadline, and main focus areas.”

This simple system stops you from missing deadlines while keeping your inbox clear.

3. Check Local & Online Funding Notice Boards

Many communities and networks share grant information on notice boards — both physical and online. These can alert you to small, local opportunities and connect you with funders actively looking to support projects.

Where to Look:

• GVS Website & Social Media – Visit our news pages and follow GVS on Facebook for funding alerts.

• Community Centres & Libraries – Many still post printed notices about local funding rounds and small grants.

• Local Authority Community Boards – Your council website often lists local grant schemes and deadlines in one place.

• Third Sector Networks – Join local or regional forums and Facebook groups for charities and community groups — they often share funding tips and deadlines.

• Online Platforms Where Funders Look for Projects:

• Network for Social Change – Post your project here for consideration by a network of donors who fund progressive social change projects.

• Charity Excellence Framework – Access 100+ free lists of UK charitable trusts & foundations. They also provide a "Funding Finder" tool where you can list your project for potential support.

💡 Tip: If you find a local or online board that allows you to post your project, take the time to make your listing clear and compelling. Include who you help, why your work matters, and what you’re seeking — funders often look for well-presented, community-driven projects to support.

4. Use AI to Speed Up Your Funding Search

AI can save you time by:

• Creating lists of potential funders based on your project.

• Suggesting search terms and keywords.

• Drafting first versions of funding applications.

Here is a simple prompt you can use with ChatGPT or another AI tool to generate a list of potential funders:

AI Prompt to Generate Funding Ideas

“I run a [type of organisation] that works with [target group]. Our next project is about [project summary]. Please suggest 10 grant-making trusts or foundations that could be a good fit, including what they usually fund and why we might be eligible.”

💡 Top Tip: Always check any funding opportunities suggested by AI to make sure they are genuine and up to date.

5. Look Beyond Grants – Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships

Grants aren’t the only way to raise funds. Corporate sponsorship can be a great fit, especially if your work aligns with a company’s values or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) goals.

Tips for Finding Sponsors:

• Research local businesses – Approach companies who have a clear link to your cause (e.g. a sports club could approach local gyms, physiotherapists, or health food shops).

  AI Prompt to Draft a Sponsorship Letter

  “Write a professional and persuasive sponsorship request email to a local business. The project is [brief description], and we are looking for [type of support]. Emphasise mutual benefits and community impact, and keep it friendly but professional.”

• Check CSR pages – Larger businesses often publish their CSR or community engagement strategy online.

• Think win-win – Offer benefits in return for sponsorship, such as logo placement, social media mentions, or invitations to events.

• Start small – Ask for in-kind support (free meeting space, printing, raffle prizes) as a first step to build a relationship.

Need More Support?

GVS offers one-to-one funding advice, training, and support with funding applications. If you’d like a personalised funding search or feedback on your bid, get in touch with our team Development@funding.wales