Funding

Funding & Grants

Making Book Crafters Affordable for Every School

Why Book Crafters Is a Strong Investment

Before approaching funders, it helps to understand why Book Crafters is a compelling proposition.

The Project Delivers:

Cross-curricular impact: One project delivers measurable outcomes across English, Computing, Art, and PSHE.
Clear alignment with funder priorities: From arts enrichment to digital skills to mental health, Book Crafters speaks directly to the missions of major grant-making bodies.
Tangible outputs: Funders love to see results. Book Crafters produces published books, audiobooks, and apps that can be showcased in reports, events, and promotional materials.
Sustainability: Skills developed in Book Crafters transfer to podcasts, digital newspapers, coding clubs, and future creative projects - maximising return on investment.
Scalability: You can pilot with one class and scale across the school, demonstrating growth and impact over time.

Where to Find Funding

Book Crafters aligns with the priorities of numerous national and regional funders. Below are some of the most relevant sources of grant funding for UK schools.

Arts, Culture, and Creativity Funding

Funder	Overview	Alignment with Book Crafters
Arts Council England	Supports projects that bring high-quality arts and cultural experiences to children and young people. Grants available through National Lottery Project Grants and the Creativity Collaborative.	Book Crafters delivers sustained, high-quality arts engagement embedded across the curriculum – exactly what Arts Council England seeks.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation	Focuses on arts access and social justice. Supports projects that use creative approaches to improve outcomes for disadvantaged young people.	The foundation champions creative learning and pupil voice. Book Crafters is a flagship example of arts-based, inclusive education.
The Rothschild Foundation	Supports cultural and educational projects, particularly in areas of disadvantage.	Book Crafters’ cross-curricular, arts-rich approach aligns with their commitment to enriching children’s lives.
The Linbury Trust	Funds arts projects that broaden access and participation for young people.	The trust values projects that give children hands-on creative experiences. Book Crafters does exactly that.

Literacy and Education Funding

Funder	Overview	Alignment with Book Crafters
National Literacy Trust	Offers partnership opportunities and project funding for schools focused on improving literacy outcomes.	Book Crafters embodies their “literacy for a purpose” ethos, using digital tools to engage children with writing.
The Mercers’ Company (Mercers’ Grants)	Supports educational projects in London and beyond, with a focus on literacy, numeracy, and social mobility.	Book Crafters enhances literacy through creative, real-world application – a strong fit for their education funding streams.
SHINE (Support and Help in Education)	Funds projects that support pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve in literacy and numeracy.	Book Crafters raises literacy attainment while building confidence and digital skills in an inclusive environment.
The Drapers’ Company	Provides grants for educational projects, particularly those supporting disadvantaged pupils.	The project’s focus on oracy, writing, and digital skills aligns with their educational priorities.

Digital Skills and Technology Funding

Funder	Overview	Alignment with Book Crafters
Nominet	Supports projects that use digital technology to improve the lives of young people, with a focus on digital inclusion and skills.	Book Crafters teaches practical digital skills (audio editing, graphic design, file management) in a creative, purposeful context.
The Clothworkers’ Foundation	Funds projects that improve outcomes for disadvantaged young people, including those focused on digital skills and employability.	Book Crafters introduces pupils to creative digital careers (sound engineering, publishing, UX design), building pathways to future employment.
The Ironmongers’ Company	Supports educational projects that develop skills in science, technology, and design.	Book Crafters’ STEAM approach (integrating technology with art) fits their focus on practical skill development.

Wellbeing, Inclusion, and Disadvantage Funding

Funder	Overview	Alignment with Book Crafters
The National Lottery Community Fund	Supports community projects that improve wellbeing, build skills, and bring people together.	Book Crafters builds pupil confidence, supports mental health through creative expression, and brings families together at Book Premieres.
BBC Children in Need	Funds projects that support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.	Book Crafters improves emotional wellbeing, builds resilience, and develops confidence in children who need it most.
The Henry Smith Charity	Supports projects that help people in disadvantaged communities to improve their lives.	The project’s inclusive design ensures all pupils, regardless of background or ability, can participate and succeed.
The Garfield Weston Foundation	Funds a wide range of charitable projects, including education and youth initiatives.	Book Crafters’ broad impact across curriculum, wellbeing, and skills makes it a strong candidate for their support.

Pupil Premium and Recovery Funding

Book Crafters is an excellent use of Pupil Premium funding. The project directly addresses several of the key barriers faced by disadvantaged pupils:

Barrier	How Book Crafters Addresses It
Literacy gaps	Provides intensive, purposeful writing opportunities with clear outcomes, accelerating progress.
Lack of enrichment	Offers high-quality cultural and creative experiences that broaden horizons.
Low confidence	Builds self-esteem through achievement, collaboration, and public recognition.
Limited oracy skills	Develops speaking and listening through narration, dialogue, and group discussion.
Digital exclusion	Teaches practical digital skills in a supportive, low-tech environment.

How to Make a Compelling Application

Grant applications are competitive. Here’s how to strengthen your case for Book Crafters.

1. Start with the Need

Be specific about the challenges your pupils face. Are literacy levels below national average ? Do pupils lack enrichment opportunities ? Is wellbeing a concern ? Funders want to understand why your school needs support.

2. Align with Funder Priorities

Each funder has a mission statement. Quote it. Show how Book Crafters directly advances their goals. We’ve provided alignment points above to help you do this.

3. Be Specific About Outcomes

Don’t just say “pupils will improve their writing.” Say “pupils will demonstrate measurable progress in composition, with pre- and post-writing samples showing an average improvement of X.” Use the data tools Book Crafters provides to make your case.

4. Showcase the Tangible Outputs

Funders love to see what their money will produce. Mention the published e-books, audiobooks, interactive apps, and the Book Premiere event. These are powerful outputs for funder reporting and publicity.

5. Include Sustainability

Explain how the project will continue beyond the funding period. Skills transfer to podcasts and coding clubs. Teachers embed the approach into future planning. The digital tools remain in use. Funders want their investment to have lasting impact.

6. Provide a Clear Budget

Be transparent about what you’re asking for. Book Crafters has low ongoing costs. A typical budget might include: (see chart below)

Item	Cost
Book Crafters programme licence	[Insert cost]
Staff CPD session	Included
Additional devices (if needed)	[Insert cost]
Book Premiere event refreshments	[Insert cost]
Total	[Insert cost]

Partnership and Match Funding

Some funders prefer to support projects that involve multiple partners or match funding. Consider:

Tip 1

Collaborating with a local secondary school

to deliver Book Crafters as a transition project.

Tip 2

Partnering with your local library

to host the Book Premiere or showcase finished books.

Tip 3

Securing match funding

from your PTA, local businesses, or the school budget to strengthen your application.

We're happy to provide supporting letters, project outlines, and impact data to help you build a strong partnership case.