Firstly, although it may seem obvious, any approach to any organisation for help or assistance requires a detailed resumŽ of exactly what you have in mind, point for point, with as much 'specific information' (very important), as you can reasonably fit into one side of foolscap.
Before considering the ultimate aim of this article - to unearth new sources of Lottery funding - I'll cover existing sources.
One of the first ports of call are usually the major film and camera manufacturers, who it has to be said are inundated with requests of this nature. There is no way that they can possibly help everybody.
All that you will ever receive, if you are one of the lucky ones ( although always very welcome ) is a 'good deal' on a large amount of film, or the use of a number of pieces of photographic hardware for a given period of time; they are not in the business of handing out large sums of cash to help with the travel expenses, nor are they generally prepared to fund processing and/or printing costs.
If the particular person at Kodak, Polaroid or Fuji who handles such requests has been sufficiently intrigued and impressed by your'e application - remember they're a commercial business, selling product - then your'e on your way, probably with more than a little help from your bank manager, a benevolent friend or relation. But if the response that you receive is negative - what's the next step?
Firstly, make sure that you are applying to the right venue for your 'type' of photography; many have their own very specific ideas of what they wish to support and show, usually governed by the tastes of the current director. Photographic art tastes would seem to move in cyclical vogues (as do their directors) so it is important to do your homework on the various possibilities.
My first experience of such an application was the arrival through my letter box of a foolscap envelope stuffed to breaking point with every possible form and red tape that you could wish to find. The form itself was exhaustive, and its recipient exhausted after scanning it. In my estimation, it amounted to a good week's work to simply fill in the form.
Moreover, it's not just what you write, but how you write it. The phraseology, the generic terminology, all these idiosyncrasies play an important part in how far your application will get through the channels of Arts Administration. The effective judges of your application are administrators - they relish 'wordplay'.
Having got over the initial shock, which is enough to make most applicants return to the relative sanity of our major manufacturers, it is always useful to have the right 'connections'. Finding the right person and developing an ongoing rapport, is as essential as getting the form 'right'.
Yes, you've guessed it! A week later a package containing what looked like an oversize hardback book arrived. Inside was the highly designed folder, with its equally highly designed 'how to' manuals and application forms - one of which was for the express purpose of an advance notice of an intended application.
I began to read with interest - after all the main part of the package had gained a Crystal Mark for clarity (approved by the Plain English Campaign), which indeed must be a first for forms emanating out of Arts Bodies.
But the words individuals may not apply for funds kept generating an aggravated nausea. The fact of the matter is, that most freelance photographers are by nature individuals, and photographic ventures are not ideally suited to either groups or associations. So your individual project must be honed into a form that is suitable for 'pack practice'. Your project, perhaps not unreasonably, must also take the basis of being beneficial to the community at large - a laudable policy. If your association or group is in any way commercially based, then it will only receive funding under 'special circumstances' (greatly benefitting the public), and it will be required to return a share of any profits to the Arts Council.
Generally speaking, amateur and voluntary groups, schools and colleges and registered charities are the most likely recipients for Lottery funds.
So under the circumstances, what should you do?
Firstly, find a group of like-minded individuals - apart from being a necessity, it will also alleviate the strain of a mammoth form-filling operation.
Secondly, speak to one of the two people who run the Voluntary Arts Network (+44 191 221 1008), as they are set up specifically to point people in the right direction, and help with the vagaries of form filling.
When you have filled in the form - and returned it - be aware that it is exactly the same people who are presently entrusted with the giving of Grant Aid who will be making the decisions as to which projects receive Lottery funding.
It's not been called a Lottery for nothing...