Applying for grants: where do you start?

What is a grant?

A grant is a financial contribution from a government body or fund for an activity or project that aligns with their objectives. You do not have to repay the money, but you must be able to demonstrate that you have spent it appropriately.

Start with your local municipality

The most accessible sources of funding are local. Municipalities often have schemes for:

• Welfare and care activities
• Sports and physical activity
• Culture and events
• Participation and social cohesion

Provinces and national funds

In addition to municipal grants, there are provincial schemes and national funds. You can also approach national funds if your organization and/or activities align with the fund's objectives.

Examples:

DUS-I – overview of all Dutch government grants

Fondsenwerving.nl – overview of Dutch funds

FIN – overview of funds in the Netherlands

Some sectors (sports, arts, healthcare) have their own funds or umbrella organizations that provide grant listings.

What do grant providers expect?

Every grant provider has its own specific conditions, but a few requirements recur consistently:

• A clear description of what you want to do and why
• A realistic budget
• A description of the target audience and the intended impact
• Often: proof that your organization is properly structured (articles of association, Chamber of Commerce registration, annual financial statements)

Read the grant conditions carefully before investing time and energy in an application. Tailor your proposal to what the grant provider is looking for—not the other way around.

Common mistakes

Starting too late. Many grant schemes have fixed application rounds. If you miss the deadline, you have to wait for the next round.

Keeping the application too vague. "We want to do something for vulnerable young people" does not constitute a grant application. Describe concretely what you are doing, for whom, when, and what the costs are. 

Don't overlook the reporting requirements. Once the project concludes, the funding body will expect both a substantive and a financial report. Keep track of this information throughout the project—do not try to reconstruct it after the fact.

Next step

We would be happy to assist you in identifying suitable funds and grants. During a personal consultation, we will assess where your organization requires additional funding and for which specific activities.

Within a few weeks, you will receive an overview of funds and grants that align with your organization and activities.

It is then up to you to take the next step: securing the funding.