how to ensure your jewel fund grant application stands out
We are open for applications for Jewel Fund 2023 and this year the grant is doubled! There are two funds available for jewellers anywhere in the world. But how do you ensure your application stands out and gets noticed? Here are our top tips for writing an application that will get you shortlisted.
What is Jewel Fund?
Jewel Fund is a grant for jewellers in business anywhere in the world. It is awarded by Jessica Rose and this is the sixth year of Jewel Fund. This year there are two grants of £2000 available. This is a grant and not a loan, there is no need to pay it back.
BE CLEAR
You need to let us know who you are, where your business is right now and your ambitions for the future. We have hundreds of applications to read through and our panel of shortlisters don’t have time to check out your website so make sure all the information we need about you is in your application. If you are shortlisted, we will then look at your links and socials.
2. Take your time
The deadline for applying is 21st August 2023 so you have some time to look through the questions in the application form and craft your answer. How long would it take you to earn £2000 in your jewellery business? I’m not suggesting that you take that long over your application but taking some time to consider your response and write your answers is important to ensure you stand out.
3. do your research
Jewel Fund has been awarded for the last six years meaning that we have had winners since 2018. It’s time to do a bit of sleuthing! Take a look at the winners from last year and what they spent the money on. This will give you a good indication of how to craft your own application so it will get noticed
4. show your commitment
Jess wants to support the growth of established businesses this year. You may be a recent start-up or may have been in business for many years. You need to have demonstrated that you are committed to your jewellery business. This could be telling us about your training, about your investment in your business, of how long you work on your business each week etc. You don’t have to be working full-time in jewellery right now but we need to see that you have made a real commitment to making your business work.
5. HOW WILL THE MONEY HELP?
You need to be clear about what you want the money for and WHY IT WILL HELP YOUR BUSINESS
The applications that are shortlisted through to Jess, who makes the final decision, are the ones that show not just what you want to buy but why this will grow your business.
For example, If you want a rolling mill (and a surprising number of people ask for that!) you need to tell us why this would be a benefit to you. What types of designs you can’t make right now because you don’t have one etc. Explain why this will make you more profitable.
Your why needs to be compelling, we want to support someone who will truly use the money to improve their business.
6. SHOW AMBITION
Jess is impressed with people who know what they want and go after it. That doesn’t mean you have to be planning to be the next Thomas Sabo (unless you want to) but it does mean you need to be clear about how the money we will give you will help your growth.
Good luck with your application!