ArtsFunded guide
Awards for All Bid Writer for Community Arts Projects
How to make an Awards for All application clearer, more local, and easier for a funder to trust.
Published · By Matthew Simmonds
Awards for All can look friendly, which is lovely until you realise the short form still needs a strong project case.
The funder wants to understand the people, the need, the activity, and the difference the grant will make.
Keep it local
Community funding works best when the application feels rooted. Name the place, the group, the barrier, and the practical reason the project is needed.
Avoid broad claims like "the arts bring people together" unless you also explain which people, where, how, and why this matters now.
Make the activity obvious
A reviewer should be able to picture the project.
Say:
- What sessions or events happen
- How many people take part
- Who delivers the work
- Where it happens
- How people hear about it
- What support or access is included
Connect the budget to people
If the budget includes artist fees, room hire, access, materials, travel, refreshments, or marketing, explain how those costs support participation.
The budget is not just numbers. It is part of the story of care and delivery.
Do not overcomplicate the language
Awards for All applications do not need to sound grand. They need to sound useful, clear, and believable.
Plain English is not less professional. It is often more fundable.
Want the application written?
I write Awards for All and community arts bids for charities, CICs, groups, and creative organisations.