# When I hear the word innovation I reach for my gun – ok so my holster is pretty worn out but …

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2010/02/06/when-i-hear-word-innovation-i-reach-my-gun-ok-so-my-holster-pretty-worn-out/
- Published: 2010-02-06T18:42:05+00:00
- Author: John Baguley

Why do grant-makers:

1. prefer innovation to ‘tried and trusted’,

2. then decline truly innovative projects because the results are uncertain,

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3. and fall for application from large organisations merely dressed up as innovation?

Hopefully DFID’s new innovation fund will be different:

http://www.dfid.gov.uk/Working-with-DFID/Funding-Schemes/Funding-for-not-for-profit-
organisations/Development-Innovation-Fund-DIF

This seeks to help “community based organisations involved in providing specific
small scale, one-off support that directly targets poverty in the developing world
and includes a significant development awareness component in the UK. “

“Key elements

• A total of £7m for an initial period of 16 months, with a mid-term review by August
2010 and an evaluation before the end of March 2011.

• An application based Fund.

• Small scale proposals up to £60,000 ceiling

• Up to 100% funding for an application.

• Applications to cover a period not exceeding one year.

• Applications will be appraised at 3 decision making rounds.

• Applications can cover work in any low or lower-middle income developing country.

• Open only to not for profit organisations.

• Applications must show that the intended activities will improve the lives of 
poor people in the developing world.

• Applications must demonstrate how the intended work will be used to help raise
awareness of development issues in the UK.

• A limit of three applications per group/organisation at any one time.

• Successful applicants can re-apply for funding but only after they have accounted
for any previous grants provided.”

Good luck!

John Baguley

www.internationalfundraisingconsultancy.com

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