Grants to Organisations

Frequently asked questions

Please make sure you read the full guidelines before making an application. They contain more detailed information about the types of projects that we want to support.

When will we get a decision?
What should we send with our application?
What is the maximum amount we can receive?
How often can we apply?
What won't you fund?
Who can be our referee?

When will we get a decision?
The Governors meet four times a year. We will write to you as soon as possible after the meeting to let you know the outcome.

When do the Governors meet?
The Governors meet four times a year to consider applications. Meetings are usually held in March, June, October and December. When you submit your application we will write and acknowledge it and tell you at which meeting your application will be considered. We will write to you as soon as possible after the meeting to let you know the outcome.

What should we send with our application?
You will need to copies of the following documents:
● Full project budget
● Latest annual accounts (not more than 18 months old)
● Governing document (for example, Constitution or Memorandum and Articles of Association)
● Copy of your latest bank statement (this should be in the name of the applicant group)

You will also need to provide details of a referee who will be willing to talk about your organisation and the project that you are applying to the Foundation for funding for.

Who can be our referee?
Your referee should be someone that knows about your group and the project that you are proposing.  They must be able to comment on the project and the value of the work that you do.  Your referee might be an employee of a partner organisation that you work closely with, such as a local youth club worker, teacher, or staff at your local authority youth services department.  Please ask permission from your referee before applying and provide them with a copy of your project proposal.
The referee cannot be:
● a volunteer or trustee of your organisation
● an employee
● a family member of friend
● a parent or carer of a child who will benefit from the project
● any other direct beneficiary or the project

Do schools need to send annual accounts?
No

What is the maximum amount we can receive?
We do not have a maximum award. The average grant made last year was £4,500.

Can companies apply for grants?
Only if you are a company limited by guarantee. We are only able to fund "not for profit" organisations. This includes registered charities, companies limited by guarantee and constituted voluntary groups.

How often can we apply?
You can only make one application in any twelve month period. Please note that we do not normally fund the same project year on year unless you are able to provide evidence to show that the project is still required and that it is the most effective way of tackling the underlying problem.

What won't you fund?
As a small grant making charity we are limited in the number of projects that we can fund each year and are unable to fund the following:
● general fundraising appeals
● building projects
● holidays and overseas trips
● school journeys
● activities that would relieve central or local government of their statutory responsibilities
● activities that have already taken place
● schools applying for funds to achieve specialist school status
● other grant making organisations
● ongoing projects with high costs, unless significant levels of funding are already in place

Do you fund core costs?
Yes, we will consider funding core costs that are related to the project that you have requested funding for.

When are the deadlines for applications?
Deadlines for applications:

24 September 2010 - for the October committee meeting
12 November 2010 - for the December committee meeting