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This area of the site was written for very experienced trust fundraisers.
How the feasibility study fits project development
The key points are:
- You need to know enough about the project to do the feasibility study. However, you don’t need to commit to the project out-and-out, as long as you’re very clear. You can build your commitment
- You only need Services to do the minimum required work during the evaluation. In practice, that means: you get to shape the project (see below); you can give Services an early answer as to whether it’s of interest for fundraising and you can start work on proposals at an earlier date; and you can provide good customer service and avoid alienating them
- You often have more influence over the shape of the eventual project while it is emerging and whilst you haven’t yet committed. Therefore, you need to “get your hands dirty” during evaluation, making suggestions and proposals, rather than standing apart from the whole development process.
Therefore, a good examination of the feasibility of the work proceeds in parallel with the project development:
- I like to see early ideas and say “This is interesting, involve us,” “It’s not one for us” or “I don’t know, keep us informed but it’s too early to say”
- A degree of research and nominal earmarking of funders will help the process. It’s okay to say: “We’ll put the project to funder X if it’s developed by date Y but otherwise, we’ll have to go with other work for them”
The level of commitment within Services is key in solving a lot of issues. Therefore, committing a bit at a time gives you time to see how they respond.