There are a lot of factors that effect your chances of  success with a grant application. Because of this, it’s often easiest to get in touch so we can discuss your idea and help you find out if our funding is right for you. That said, we also like to give you a general idea of what your chances might be, and how busy our different funds are. So here are…

Success rates for the 6 month period up to 31 October 2017:

---

At 60%, the success rate for National Lottery Awards for All Scotland has dropped a little, mainly due to a significant increase in applications received this year. Our big tip: make sure to tell us how you’ve involved your community in the design and delivery of your work.

---

The success rate for grants for Community-Led Activity remains high, but recently we’ve received fewer applications than expected from outside of the Glasgow area.

---

The medium Improving Lives grants remain very popular, and 54% of applications are successful. Check our recent blog for some tips on improving your chances.

---

There is a two stage application process for our large Improving Lives grants – and this overall success rate of 44% covers both stages. However, only 51% of groups are successful at the quicker first stage, whereas 86% of applicants at the second stage were funded (so if you aren’t going to be successful you are likely to find out more quickly). As above, check this blog for tips on applying.

---

The 44% success rate for Community Assets covers all those invited to apply for a grant. However, we visit all potential applicants before this stage, and only 37% of these projects are recommended to apply. This low success rate reflects the enormous demand for this funding, which we discuss alongside tips for applying in a recent blog. *

---

The success rate of 58% for the Scottish Land Fund also covers two application stages – with 66% of applicants successful at stage one, and 88% successful at stage two (and so receiving a grant!).

---

What do these success rates mean for me?

A high success rate doesn’t guarantee you’ll be funded, and a low one doesn’t mean you won’t! The strongest projects that most clearly fit with the activities we want to fund will always have a good chance. However, you are competing against other applicants for any of our grants, so the success rates might give you an idea where the bar is set.

Do these success rates give the full picture?

Not exactly – lots of groups talk to us first and don’t end up applying. For grants above £10,000 we talk to everyone about their project before they apply – and we typically talk to two- or three-times more potential applicants than actually apply. We do this to help figure out if our funding is right for you, to help you apply if it is, and to save you time and effort if it isn’t. To discuss an idea, just contact our friendly advice team in Scotland!

*This blog was updated on 30/11/17. The success rate for Community Assets was updated  for clarity and to make comparisons easier. Previously the overall success rate quoted was lower, as it included groups advised against applying after an initial visit.

Want to receive content like this regularly? Sign up to our Scotland eBulletin now!