Some common problems faced and possible solutions.
“We can’t deliver as we expected to be able to”
Think of the options open to you and what you can do to get back on track or to re-work the project.
If it’s not possible to get the project back on track, then gather data on the reasons why.
Your funder doesn’t want you to fail, so see if you can negotiate changes with them. If you can, you should:
- Be open about why things are different to when you put in the bid (in other words, why you couldn’t have predicted needing to make changes).
- Try to make sure your new proposal will deliver more in another area (if youy are reducing in another area)
- Try to make sure any changes won’t change the impact you have been funded to make.
“We have under-estimated costs”
First, look for other sources of money. If you really have no other options, you could try going back to your funder. Rather than ask for more money, you should explain what you can do with the money you have and see if you can re-negotiate your targets so that you can keep going.
You need to be aware, however, that they are unlikely to be impressed by this, and you need to decide what you would do if they said ‘no’. Would you then have to shut down your project?
Talk informally with your main contact about your situation before developing your final proposal so you have a better understanding of where you stand.
“We have over-estimated costs”
Your contract agreement(s) should specify what you need to do in this situation. If it doesn’t, you should explain you have underspent to your funder, and offer to give it back to them. You could at the same time, however, suggest alternative ways you could use it and how much further this will help you help your beneficiaries.
This page is a summary of the information contained in the full online toolkit.
