[cma-l] Ofcom Community Radio Fund

[Bill Best]

Welcome to the CMA-L mailing list, Michael.

Regarding the Community Radio Fund, be sure to read the Guidance Notes here
thoroughly - and follow them:

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/33300/
guidance-notes.pdf

Do look at the average size of grant previously awarded -n the last round:

   - 64 applications for grants were considered
   - The total amount of funding requested in these applications was
   £994,231
   - 13 applicants were awarded grants which totalled £191,135
   - 51 applicants were not awarded a grant
   - In this round the grants awarded ranged from £10,100 up to £19,240,
   with an average of £14,703.

A summary of the awards is at the end of this link:.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/information-
for-industry/radio-broadcasters/community-radio-fund/2016-2017-round-2

In the above link take extra interest in the 'Issues of note arising from
the Panel meeting'.

This is some general advice that I have gathered for applicants:

Section 2 of the form where applicants are asked to give an insight into
the station and its target community is often not very well completed.  For
example, for a sector so reliant on volunteers it can be frustrating for
the Assessment Panel to see how few times they are mentioned in this
section.  There have been cases when having read section 2, members of the
Panel still have no insight into the station.  When Section 2 brings the
station to life it can make reading the rest of the application and
therefore awarding a grant easy.

The Assessment Panel will try to compensate for any shortfalls in Section 2
and elsewhere by looking at station websites and also listening to them.
Almost every station will have been listened to by at least one member of
the Awards Panel while reviewing the applications.  A website that lists
current training courses from the previous year hardly inspires
confidence.  However, a good website will work in a station’s favour - a
vibrant website listing a wide variety of interesting local events
indicates a station that understands its target community.

Member stations should make a point of stating that they are members of the
Community Media Association. Stations demonstrate a level of engagement
with the rest of the sector by declaring their membership of the
representative sector body.

Some stations have got into a habit of repeatedly applying for the same
thing and barely changing their application apart from updating the year
and their historical financial information.  However, some unsuccessful
applicants make a real effort to think why they have initially been
unsuccessful and improve the next time they apply.

Hope that helps and best regards

Bill Best
-- 
Operations Manager
Community Media Association
http://www.commedia.org.uk
https://twitter.com/community_media
https://facebook.com/CommunityMediaAssociation

Canstream Internet Radio
http://www.canstream.co.uk
https://twitter.com/canstream

On 4 April 2017 at 12:30, Michael Robinson (MKFM) <michael at mkfm.com> wrote:

> Hi All,
>
> Just a quick email to introduce myself as we have just been added to the
> email list. MKFM broadcasts to Milton Keynes on FM, DAB Digital Radio and
> online. We target under 45s with a mainstream community radio station with
> local news, travel, weather etc.
>
> I was just wondering if anyone has any experience in applying to the Ofcom
> Community Radio Fund? We are looking at making our first application for a
> Business Development Manager but I understand it is a very competitive
> process. Has anyone had a successful previous application and have any
> advice for us? Or any applications rejected with reasons why?
>
> Of course anything we can do to help any of you please do let us know!
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> *Michael Robinson*
> Senior Producer and Head of Online Content
>
>
> e: michael at mkfm.com
> t: 07943 703790 <07943703790>
> *MKFM is Milton Keynes' local radio station available on 106.3FM, on DAB
> Digital Radio, online at www.mkfm.com <http://www.mkfm.com/>,
> at www.facebook.com/mkfmradio <http://www.facebook.com/mkfmradio> and **on
> twitter** @mkfm <http://www.twitter.com/mkfm>. *
>
> *This is an e-mail from MKFM Ltd. Its contents are confidential to the
> intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that
> you have received this e-mail in error and that any use, dissemination,
> forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. It
> may not be disclosed to or used by anyone other than its intended
> recipient, nor may it be copied in any way. If received in error, please
> email a reply to the sender then delete it from your system. Although this
> e-mail has been scanned for viruses, MKFM Ltd cannot ultimately accept any
> responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan
> attachments (if any).  MKFM is a registered trademark of MKFM Ltd, all
> rights reserved.  *
>
> _______________________________________________
>
> Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
>
> The cma-l mailing list is a members' service provided by the Community
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