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Funding Finder

 Help and advice on how to obtain funding to purchase a Discovery Dome
 

You may want to list yourself on a website frequently visited by funders looking to give away money:

The UK Sponsorship Database

STFC Science in Society Funding
STFC funding is available for science educators looking to engage the public in areas relating to astronomy, planetary and solar science, lasers and nuclear and particle physics. STFC also encourage partnership projects and those that relate to current science and technology projects (e.g. the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the International Year of Astronomy 2009).

For full details visit: www.scitech.ac.uk/PandS/Fund/All/Funds.aspx

Also take a look at the superb evaluation results of Projecting Science, a STFC-funded mobile digital dome project. Comments from participants include:

'I liked (the dome) because it's different to videos and DVDs. With it all around you, you automatically felt like you are there, it's happening to you, and you're learning all the time' (p13)
'It was a new way of learning it again. I remember a lot more from the dome than from sitting around looking at books' (p20)
- year 7 students, fulldome Cell Biology show

'Everything different and visual seems to bring science alive for the children'
'Gives them an experience beyond what can be offered by teachers in the classroom' (p23)
- year 7 teachers, fulldome Light and Colour show

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Look for Funding Locally

Most funders and businesses are keen to support their local communities, particularly the ones in which their employees live and work. Although there are large foundations or corporations that give grants nationally, most funders prefer to support projects in their local areas.

Therefore when seeking support to fund a Discovery Dome, begin by looking within your local community first. Consider the people you serve, and where they live. Knowing where your 'customers' come from is key to securing funding. You must be able to prove to your funder that their money is benefitting people from the communities they are targeting.

Next, think about your business / institution and the companies it does business with. Approach banks, electricity companies, telephone/internet providers, and large vendors (supermarkets, office supply companies, etc). Point out that you are a customer of theirs. Also look for major employers in your area. Are there any large to mid-size companies with headquarters nearby? If so, it’s likely they will have a corporate giving program, and they will be interested to know if some of your 'customers' (eg. parents with children at local schools) work for the company.

Private or independent foundations often have locally-driven projects too, so find out if any are located in your area.

Lastly, don't forget to let Discovery Dome know of your efforts, as we are very happy to arrange free demonstrations for you and prospective funders!