• Help with finances

  As an individual you may be able to access funding through FundFinder PIN
  
  What is FunderFinder PIN?
  
  FunderFinder People in Need (PIN) is a computer software package that
  provides a quick and easy way of finding out which charitable trusts might help individuals. It covers individuals who are in need and individuals who are looking for money for education and training.
  
  What information do you have to put in to the computer?
  
  The user enters information about themselves (or whoever needs money) to create a search profile. The computer program will need to be told:

  • the age, gender and marital status of the person
  • where the person currently lives
  • what the person wants money for e.g. rent, medical equipment, help with debts
  • students need to enter the level of education e.g. further/higher, and what the money is needed for e.g. fees
  • students and people looking for help with career development should also input the subject they want to study or say that the money isn't related to a particular subject or profession or field (if, for instance, it's money for a gap year or a school trip or starting a business)

  The following information can also be added:

  • other relationships people have to places, such as where they were born
  • current or former jobs
  • membership of a religious group
  • frailty, health or disability problems
  • membership of certain clubs or groups
  • nationality
  • other characteristics e.g. housebound, single parent, expectant mother

  All the information that is input is related to criteria specified by grant-making trusts.
  
  What happens when you've entered all the information?

  The search profile is matched against data about charitable trusts coded into PIN. Funders that don't fit are excluded and results are displayed in alphabetical order. The user can then scan policy information to decide which trusts look promising and these can be selected for print or saving onto disk. The names and addresses of trusts can be saved in a database file which can be used in a mail merge.

  What's on the printout?

  On the printout you will get:

• the name of the charitable trust
• its Charity Commission reference number if it is a registered charity
• information about its policy and how applications should be made
• the address, telephone number, email address and website, if any
• a source of further information such as a directory reference

Armed with the printout you should remember that most funders get many more requests for support than they are able to help. The quality of your application is what counts. So be prepared to spend time getting your application right.

How long does a FunderFinder search take?

It depends on how complicated your search is and whether you want to try different options. If you're new to FunderFinder you should probably allow half an hour.

Contact Library below to fix an appointment to access FundFinder. Please note that the library staff will not be able to help you make the application.

You will either have to do it yourself of bring a friend along.

The Learning Centre
first floor
Central Library
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3HQ

Tel 0121 303 4306

Also if you need items of furniture or clothing you can put a wanted ad in the bargain pages 08703 333 333; you will probably need your own transport when you place the ad; you will also need a contact telephone number.