A Beginner’s Guide to Funding Applications

If you’re an early-career creative, getting your first bit of funding can feel impossible. You’ve got the ideas, the passion, and potentially some experience behind you from school, university, or other training. But now you’re ready to take the next step and need some financial support to do it.

This guide is here to help you understand where to look for small grants, how to write about your work confidently, and how to make your first funding application feel achievable rather than overwhelming.

What Is Creative Funding and Who Is It For?

Funding is money given to help creative people make or develop their work. It’s not a loan — you don’t have to pay it back — but you do need to show how you’ll use it and what it will achieve.

Small grants (usually under £1,000) are designed to help early-career artists get started. They might cover:

  • Materials or equipment
  • Studio space or rehearsal costs
  • Fees to pay yourself or collaborators
  • Workshops or community activities
  • Travel to attend training, exhibitions, or residencies

You don’t need to have a long CV or previous grant success. Funders want to support potential, creativity, and enthusiasm as much as experience.

Types of Grants

There are more opportunities out there than you might think. Funding within the creative sector is usually split into one of the below categories:

Community Benefit – Creative projects that support the wider development of people and communities primarily, e.g. an art workshop which encourages confidence in participants. These are funds where the outcomes of participants are prioritised over the physical work created, and they are often run at a grassroots level within the local community.

Creation of Works – Focussed on funding the creation of new material and/or outputs; e.g. a new theatre production, piece of music, or wardrobe of clothing. These will usually cover your time, materials, and ‘overheads’ (the cost of keeping the lights on). Some funds may require a specific sharing of the work created (e.g. an exhibition, album release).

Personal Development – These are funds which support the development of creative people, rather than the creation of new art. This could include opportunities to go and see work locally, meet other people working in a similar area, travel internationally to learn from other cultures, or just take time to think.

Entrepreneurship/Business Startup – These are funds designed to support you to setup a business in your chosen field, with a view to that business turning a profit. In some cases, these are limited to social enterprises (businesses which work for the benefit of the community).

Some funds are only open to registered charities, some accept applications from Commmunity Interest Companies, and others will accept applications from indviduals. Make sure you are eligible for funding from an organisation before taking the time to apply.

Where to Find Small Grants in the UK

There are a number of grants and funding sources, but these can sometimes be hard to find. Search the internet for funding in your chosen discipline or local area, and more nationally, and make a note of application deadlines or previous projects organisations have funded. There are a number of grant guides available online, such as from The Kings’ Trust, Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance, Creative Lives, and many more places.

You could also look at what projects have run that are similar to yours, and where these obtained their funding (often printed somewhere or listed on a website).

Telling Your Story in an Application

A funding application is simply a way of telling someone why your idea matters and what difference it will make. You don’t need fancy language; just honesty, clarity, and enthusiasm.

Here’s how to approach it:

  • Start with why: What sparked this idea? Why does it matter to you, and why now?
  • Be clear about what you’ll do: Describe your project in as much detail as possible. What will happen, where, and when? Don’t be afraid of bullet points where appropriate.
  • Explain the impact: What do you hope will come from it? Maybe you’ll reach new audiences, learn a new skill, or bring people together through creativity.
  • Share your story: Funders like to know who they’re supporting. Talk briefly about your background, what inspires you, and what this opportunity would mean for you.

Try writing your answers as if you’re explaining your project to a friend who doesn’t know much about your work; don’t assume any prior knowledge about the project or who you are. Once you’ve done that, tidy it up and make it sound professional, but don’t lose your personal voice.

Using AI

Be cautious when using AI to write an application. The use of AI in writing can be obvious, and it can limit your application’s ability to stand out against the competition. AI can help with condensing ideas or proofreading, but don’t use it to write the actual application. Make sure it stays authentic and unique to you, rather than generic-sounding. And make sure that everything that you submit is accurate; AI can sometimes get it wrong or hallucinate data and information.

Using Evidence and Data (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

You don’t need lots of statistics for small grants, but it helps to show that you’ve thought things through to include some.

You should include:

  • How many people you expect to reach or work with
  • Any feedback or interest you’ve already had (for example, people saying they’d come to an event or take part in workshops)
  • Local facts or figures that show there’s a need for what you’re doing (for example, a lack of creative opportunities for young people in your area)
  • A simple budget that shows what the money will be spent on

A clear, realistic budget is one of the most important parts. Funders want to see that you’ve planned carefully and that your project is achievable.

Tips for Your First Application

Here are some practical tips that can make a big difference:

  • Read the guidelines carefully before you start. Each funder is slightly different. Make sure that your application is actaully eligible.
  • Keep it short and focused. For small grants, funders don’t expect long proposals.
  • Be specific. “I want to create a short film about local history” is clearer than “I want to make creative work about identity.”
  • Show what success looks like. What will you have achieved by the end of the project?
  • Ask for help. Many funders will review a draft or answer questions before you apply.
  • Don’t be put off by rejection. Even experienced artists get turned down sometimes. Each application is a learning experience.

Building Confidence for the Future

Your first funding application might take time, but it gets easier with practice. Keep notes of what you’ve applied for, the feedback you get, and what you’d change next time.

Small grants can be a stepping stone towards bigger opportunities. They show funders that you can manage money, deliver a project, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Over time, this builds trust and opens more doors.

Remember: funders aren’t looking for perfection. They’re looking for creative people with good ideas who want to make something meaningful happen. That could be you.

Final Thoughts

Applying for funding for the first time can feel daunting, but it’s also exciting. It’s a chance to get your ideas out of your head and into the world.

Start small, be honest about what you need, and don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way. Every successful project (even the big ones) started somewhere.

You’ve already done the hardest part by creating something worth sharing. Now it’s about giving yourself the chance to make it happen.