As far as grant applications - many things are possible.

I know of a sword dance team who got a grant for kit of £10,000. They used the expertise of a retired local government officer to make the application. Ask around - you might find a retired local government officer (or someone with that sort of expertise) in your audience.

Yorkshire Garland group got £25,000+ for setting up the Yorkshire Archive. But be quick. Most grant money from the lottery (which is where all this came from) will go to the Olympics.

Eddie Upton of Folk South-West used to have a brochure to show how to apply for grants and what grants were available. I don't know if he has up-dated this but it might be worth asking.

There will be a regional Arts Council and possibly a Folk Arts Network near to you.

Get them to help. That is what they are there for.