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VisitEngland

Grant funding and bid writing toolkit

This toolkit is for local visitor economy partnerships (LVEPs) who are looking for help and support to secure funding to run their organisations, deliver projects and develop their destinations.

Introduction

It contains advice and resources for people who are less experienced or new to the task and serves as a refresher for those that are more experienced.

The toolkit can be used to secure funding from all sources that require an application or bid or proposal of some kind. Grant funding from these sources can be characterised, in accounting terms, as external funding. The toolkit does not provide advice on income generation such as commercial activity, membership and sponsorship or income secured via tourism taxes or levies (TBIDs).

This toolkit is divided into sections:

Sections 1 to 3 are about preparation, section 4 is about process and sections 5 to 7 provide practical resources or signpost users to additional resources and information. Download the full Grant funding and bid writing toolkit (PDF, 10.85MB).

This Find a Grant video helpfully explains how to use the new service.

Contents

  • Summarises the types of grant funding that are generally available to LVEPs, suggests how to choose what to apply for and includes an opportunities database – a searchable document that identifies funding opportunities now and in the short-term future.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Ben Selway

    Three women, wearing scarves, walking with shopping bags
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  • Outlines what it is useful to think through and prepare well in advance of putting pen to paper.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrew Pickett

    Young couple hiking and walking along a paved footpath.
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  • Unpicks concepts that are commonly used by funders but are often misunderstood or open to interpretation.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Peter Kindersley

    Two women walking through the garden, Helmsley Castle in the background
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  • Provides a step-by-step process that can be followed to help organise tasks and resources. Top tips from successful applicants and funders gives insights into their own experience of submitting and assessing funding applications and proposals.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Nadir Khan

    Two people on mountain bikes at the top of a fell at sunset
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  • Give applicants a starting point for compiling commonly required information and examples to adapt and follow.

    Photo by: RBG Kew/Jeff Eden

    A visitor enjoys Surreal Pillars of Mexico, a horticultural display by Jon Wheatley at Kew Gardens
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  • Links to up-to-date information on markets, visitors, consumer trends, technology developments etc.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Sam Barker

    Four young people standing and talking on pavement
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  • Explains terminology commonly found in funding programmes, grant application forms and bid documents.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Ohso Social/ Tracey Hills

    People enjoy drinks at Ohso Social bar on Brighton seafront at sundown
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  • This toolkit has been produced by MSC Ltd and TEAM Tourism Consulting for VisitEngland.

    Photo by: VisitBritain/Jessica Lemaitre

    Three friends, sat on wall, with the London Eye behind
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