I recently found this presentation from Alan Eagles of the Santander Foundation.

“It is based on informal research with 14 trusts and foundations. The number one reason why bids fail is because applicants ignore the published guidelines and criteria. The second highest reason (which didn’t even feature when I first did this research eight years ago) is not returning the feedback and impact reports on an earlier grant. Funders give grants because they want to make a difference – if you don’t tell us what difference we have made and confirm that you have spent the money on what we gave it to you for then we are unlikely to give you more.”

The presentation is available here