Northamptonshire Community Foundation Grants Rachel Mc Grath Grants

Northamptonshire Community Foundation Grants Rachel Mc. Grath Grants Director

Introduction • Independent grant giving organisation • Donor and philanthropic services • Developing and researching local knowledge and tackling social issues • Build local capacity of groups • Community leadership: provide practical, financial and creative leadership in local communities

Brief History • Established in 2002 • We give grants to community groups on behalf of a range of Donors • 2500 projects to the amount of £ 8 million • We combine community development for groups with flexible donor services • Raised £ 8 Million in endowment • We raise funds creatively

Apply for a grant Today! • Online application via website • We can look at draft applications via email • If you are unsure contact us and we can match you with the most appropriate Fund • We provide larger grants up to £ 10, 000 • Monthly grants panel – you are never more than 4 weeks away from a grants panel • Over £ 1 million to allocate 15/16

Go to www. ncf. uk. com/grants

General Grants Programme Our funding comes in all shapes and sizes from a range of donors - to help the young and old, those with disabilities, projects which develop the cultural and creative life of a community, healthy living and the environment, as well as sports and recreation. Our general grants programme intends to benefit the whole community and fund a wide range of projects including: • Community events and activities • Small scale training, rental and staffing costs • Small and large pieces of equipment • Support groups, residents associations, sports and arts clubs • Grants up to £ 3000 matched by a range of funds

The Compton Fund for Arts, Culture and Heritage The Compton Fund for Arts, Culture and Heritage wish to support a broad range of high quality arts, culture and heritage activity across Northamptonshire. The fund will offer awards between £ 500 and £ 5000. The Fund will consider a wide range of projects including: • Community events and activities • Heritage activity such as sharing local history • Cultural activity such as a celebration of a new community’s way of life • Arts activity such as putting on a play or musical performances • Small or large pieces of equipment that relate to the aims of the fund

NCC Youth Small Grants Programme • The Northamptonshire County Council youth small grants programme will offer individual grants of £ 2, 500 to £ 10, 000 to develop ongoing project activity or initiate new project activity for young people aged 13 -19 years (10 - 25 years for those who have a disability). Applications are welcomed for projects that: • • • Provide a range of cultural, sporting & environmental activities for children & young people Provide support for young people “Not in Education, Employment or Training” (NEETs) Work in partnership to reduce youth crime Reduce the numbers of first time entrants to the criminal justice system • Address the impact of child poverty •

NCC Small Grants Programme The Northamptonshire County Council grants programme will offer individual grants of £ 500 to £ 5, 000 for one-off type costs that must have match funding of at least 25% of the overall cost of the project. The grant investment is to fund an activity or service to help develop local communities and must be of clear benefit to the community at large or a section of it. Applications are welcomed for projects that: * Increase involvement within the community * Improve relationships in the community * Enable people to feel motivated, take ownership and feel they are making a difference * Increase the number of people volunteering * Create a cleaner, greener and more prosperous county * Revenue and funding for equipment is eligible

Comic Relief There are still many communities in the UK that suffer from economic and social deprivation and the current economic climate may make this situation worse. For this reason, Comic Relief have allocated £ 4. 5 million to fund projects across the UK which are addressing these issues through a second phase of the 'Local Communities' programme. The Local Communities programme will run for two years and during this time, grants of between £ 1000 and £ 10, 000 will be available. The programme aims to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities. Projects should be run by people directly affected by the issues they are dealing with and priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community.

Northamptonshire 100 Fund Northamptonshire 100 was launched in May 2010 and its aim is to bring 100 like minded businesses and individuals together into a ‘circle of giving’. Each member of the initiative donates a regular amount each year and part of this donation has been used to launch this new Northamptonshire 100 fund. 2015 Funding Theme is ‘Health and Wellbeing'. Groups can apply for up to £ 3000. Example projects may include: • Activities that help people improve their diet and to be more healthy • Volunteer led community projects that promote healthy lifestyles • Activities that reduce isolation or that provide social activity for older people to prevent loneliness • Activities that provide help for people living with a health condition or illness • Providing support services to promote emotional and mental wellbeing such as counselling services

High Sheriff Initiative Fund The High Sheriff’s Initiative encourages the development of projects which bring young people closer to their communities to create a more cohesive society. It seeks to help communities and young people within Northamptonshire realise their potential, creating stronger and safer communities. • Projects targeting 5 – 19 year olds • New initiatives from existing groups and new groups/projects • Small grassroots level community organisations • Work which reaches out to and involves excluded young people • Projects that improve the safety of your community • Work led by young people

Surviving Winter Fund Grants made from this fund will be awarded to groups and organisations supporting vulnerable older people aged 65+ during the winter period. • A Small Grant is for a project activity between £ 250 and £ 2000. The Small Grants Panel meets on a monthly basis (see below). The Fund will reopen in September 2015 and runs through until 31 Feb/March 2016. Grants awarded by the Surviving Winter Fund will meet at least one of these five aims: • Keep home warm • Dress for warmth • Stay warm at night • Eat well • Keep active

Localgiving. com A not for profit website An effective online tool for local charities and community groups helping you to raise money, awareness and support for your activities. So far, almost 3, 000 UK charities and community groups are registered with Localgiving. com and over 190 of these are in Northamptonshire. Since January 2012, over £ 200, 000 has been raised through Localgiving. com here in our county.

Rough Guide to Funding Applications • • • Have we formed a group yet/ are the right people in place? Do we have a constitution? Do we have some basic team systems? 2 signatories on bank account? Project planning – who, why, when, where and how? How will you demonstrate the difference?

Planning the Project • What is it we want to achieve and how are we going to do it? Use the T Grow Exercise • Topic – What is the issue? • Goal – What are the aims? • Reality – Where are you now? • Options – what are your possibilities? • Will – How committed are you?

Research, Research! • How do you know there is a need? Can you evidence this? • Is there any local research you can use to support your aims? • Have you spoken to the people or communities you would like to help? • Can you use both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ evidence? • Is there any body else out there doing it?

Making the Most of your Application • Read the guidelines, criteria and other information provided by funding bodies and ensure your project is eligible • Allow yourself plenty of time. Take time to plan and prepare your application and always meet the funding organisation’s deadlines.

Making the Most of Your Application • Don’t assume that the funding organisation will know of your group or its track record. • Use the space on the form well, the more relevant information you can supply about the project the better.

Making the Most of Your Funding Application • Budget accurately. Do not guess figures and never assume that an inflated budget will result in more funding • Provide as much financial detail as possible. Supply a detailed break down of figures.

Creating A Budget For a Funding Application • Allow for a Range of Budget Themes • The amount of monies you apply for should cover all costs for the project activity • Do not under-estimate costings or set out an unrealistic ‘wish list’ • Have appropriate financial systems in place

Making the Most of Your Funding Application • Feel free to consult with officers of funding bodies in advance of submitting your application. • If you have received funding before, make sure you complete all the necessary evaluation forms.

To sum up…. • Have the right People in Place • Have a clear idea about what you want to do. • Talk to other people and research • Read the information, take advice and get other people to look at what you are writing

Contact us • • • Contact us: Giving back to Northamptonshire Community Foundation For more information please contact on: 01604 230033 enquiries@ncf. uk. com Or visit our website at www. ncf. uk. com Registered charity no 1094646 And Company limited by Guarantee no 4269030