How Charities Experience the Application Process
Insights from the other side—what helps and what creates friction for applicants.
By Plinth Team
How Charities Experience the Application Process
Charities value clarity, proportionality and timely communication—confusing forms and slow updates erode trust.
- Plain‑English guidance and examples improve quality.
- Save‑and‑return and mobile access reduce stress.
- Respectful feedback helps future bids.
Pain points to fix
Avoid common sources of frustration.
- Repeating the same information in multiple formats.
- Unclear criteria or hidden expectations.
- Long waits without updates.
Key takeaway: design with applicants, not just for them.
Practices that help
Small changes transform experience.
- Eligibility checks before full applications.
- Short forms mapped to scoring.
- Clear timelines and named contacts.
Key takeaway: Plinth streamlines forms and feedback.
Listening and learning
Collect feedback to improve round by round.
- Short, optional surveys after decisions.
- Office hours or webinars for Q&A.
- Share learning and updates publicly.
Key takeaway: transparency builds a stronger sector.
FAQs
Should we pay for time spent applying?
Consider stipends for intensive processes.
How do we support access needs?
Offer flexible formats and assisted submission routes.
Can we share example applications?
Yes—anonymised examples are very helpful.