Preparing for a Futurebuilders application Return to Application resources

Follow these guidelines to successfully prepare for a Futurebuilders application.

Talk to us about your proposal before applying

You can call our enquiries line on 0191 261 5200 and talk through any initial questions you may have about Futurebuilders England with a representative, or email [email protected] for advice or more information at the initial stage of your proposal. 

We also run Futurebuilders Surgeries across the country, where organisations considering applying to Futurebuilders can benefit from valuable tips and advice. The free events include an information presentation, a question and answer session and offer an opportunity to discuss individual proposals with a member of the team. We have found that organisations that attend a surgery before applying tend to perform considerably better at the application stage than organisations that don't.

Whatever you do to find out more about Futurebuilders, it is also essential that you have clear plans about what you plan to do, and what you would use a Futurebuilders investment for.

Make sure you meet our eligibility criteria

A range of organisations are eligible for Futurebuilders investment, including charities, social enterprises, community interest companies, voluntary groups and community organisations. We offer investment packages to third sector organisations working across all areas of public service delivery.

Each of our products has its own set of eligibility criteria. Before you apply, check you are eligible for investment.

More information about eligibility

Ensure your colleagues and trustees/management board are committed to loan finance

We expect most Futurebuilders grantholders to be intending to apply to us in the long term for a full, loan-based investment. The only exceptions to this are organisations applying for Small Organisation Tender Fund grants and some Consortium Development Fund applicants. 

Loan finance is the key element in most Futurebuilders investments and if you are not able or prepared to take on a loan then we cannot consider you for a Full Investment .

You must first make sure that the terms and conditions of your constitution allow your organisation to take on a loan and that your members are willing to accept a loan if we offer one. If your constitution does not currently allow you to take on a loan we need to know that you are willing to make the required changes.

Talk to your purchasers before applying

Developing close relationships with commissioners who share your organisation’s vision is crucial to its eventual success. If you are working in a competitive tendering environment, it helps to keep an ear to the ground to find out what contracts are coming up for tender – and also to contribute as much as possible, through involvement in local partnerships, to the thinking and planning that public informs service delivery.

By identifying a gap in the market and giving purchasers an insight into your project, you’ll get an indication as to whether there will be a demand for your service. 

Less formally, engaging commissioners in the early stages of your project will enable you to develop services that they need and you have the specialist skills to deliver . The roles of commissioners and third sector providers should complement each other in developing and delivering public services, and letting us know what links you have established will give you a better chance of a successful Futurebuilders application.

Demonstrate well thought-out cash flows and financial projections

Offering a realistic projection of your organisation’s development will give you the best possible chance for investment approval. Your cash flows need to show month-by-month figures for the remainder of your current financial year and the subsequent 12 months, projected on an annual basis for two more years after that.

Ideally we would like to see you commenting on three overall financial scenarios:

1. A realistic projection of your organisation’s development
2. A worst case (where you show the effect of any ‘uncertain’ sources of income failing to be secured)
3. A best case (where income might exceed your realistic projection)

This will enable you to assess the risks for your organisation and move the process forward.

What next?

Want to read some examples of what your Futurebuilders investment package might look like? Ready to begin the application process?

• Search our database of investments
• Submit an enquiry