TP17/027 Kent Downs Funding

We are seeking expert consultants to work alongside The Kent Downs AONB Unit and Kent Downs Trust founding trustees to prepare a funding strategy for the new Trust and secure initial funding for both the operation of the new Trust and to support partner activities where these might meet the charitable purposes of the Trust.
Consultants are expected to refer to information provided in the scope and context section, as well as that provided by the AONB Unit, founding trustees and partners and in addition to this research best practice and carry forward a wide ranging assessment of the funding opportunities available to the new Trust, making an assessment of the most realistic opportunities to secure funding for the Trust which will support its purposes. Importantly consultants are expected to identify and pursue funding opportunities which are available to a new Trust but not available or easily accessible by the Kent Downs AONB Unit.
Having identified appropriate sources of funding consultants are expected to pursue to application early funding opportunities so as to secure funding for the new Charity and its partners.
Consultants are expected to provide the following outputs and outcomes.

The overall outcome for this contract is to provide the newly founded Trust with a clear and evidence based direction for its fund raising activities over the next five years and some early funding successes for the Trust and its partners.

• A brief review and commentary on the draft structure and charitable purposes of the Kent Downs Trust highlighting any changes which would make the Trust better able to secure funding from the sources identified.
• A report of the wide ranging assessment of the potential realistic sources of funding for the new Kent Downs Trust, clearly itemising the name of the source of funding; its availability, requirements and funding priorities; an assessment of the ‘fit’ between the funder and charitable purposes of the Kent Downs Trust and immediate project requirements of partner organisations; an assessment of the requirements and complexity of application and a realistic assessment of the likelihood of success; any other material matters that should properly be brought to the attention of the Kent Downs Trust.
• The consultants are expected to identify the 5 most probable funding opportunities and to develop draft applications for consideration by the founding trustees and partner organisations, and in the light of comments develop submission drafts.
• The consultants are expected to provide a 5 year funding strategy for the new Trust.
• Consultants are expected to attend a minimum of one 1:1 inception meeting – further communication can be taken forward through telephone conference/skype and email.
Reports provided should be in a clearly presented electronic format which can be updated and manipulated in the future.