NDC Grants Fund - Overview of Small Grants
25th January 2010
The small grants fund is for projects that require funding of up to £1000 or up to £1500 for activities with young people. Its aim is to encourage organisations to develop their ideas and carry out community projects or activities for the benefit of residents from the New Deal for Communities area.
What is NDC?
Doncaster Central New Deal for Communities (NDC) is a government funded regeneration programme aimed at parts of Hexthorpe, Woodfield, Hyde Park, Balby and Netherhall. The programme is led by the Board of Doncaster Central Development Trust (DCDT) which is made up of local residents and agency representatives and is working towards specific targets in different theme areas. Please see the enclosed core messages for more information about NDC or refer to our website for details of projects and delivery plan targets: www.doncasterndc.co.uk
Who can apply for a grant?
Organisations working primarily for the benefit of residents of the NDC area. This includes:
Constituted community groups, voluntary organisations or charities.
Religious groups (for projects that are open to all and not worship-led or linked to religious activity).
Groups linked to statutory bodies (e.g. ‘friends of…’ groups) provided they have their own constitution and committee.
Primary funded NDC projects (for projects that are distinct from the primary funded activities)
Community Interest Companies.
Statutory bodies – for young people’s activities only.
What can be funded?
Small grants are designed to enable groups to access small amounts of money quickly and easily. For example, you could apply for funding to buy a piece of equipment, fund a place on a training course, arrange a meeting or organise an activity for community members; at least 50% of your project beneficiaries should be NDC residents. Special exceptions apply if you want to arrange activities for young people, please see below.
Young People’s Activities
NDC has extra funding reserved for organisations to provide activities for young people aged 0-19. Applications will be made through the small grants paperwork but the following exceptions apply to the scheme:
. Up to £1500 can be applied for per application,
· Any organisation that can demonstrate the capacity and capability to undertake activities with young people can apply, this includes statutory bodies,
· The funding can only be used for transport, admission fees, the cost of hiring sports coaches or session leaders, limited refreshments & equipment (for community led organisations only)
· The activities should aim to combat anti-social behaviour, promote healthy living, stimulate personal development or encourage inclusion.
· Organisations can apply as many times as they wish and activities may overlap (if project monitoring is up-to-date and in order).
What can’t be funded?
Profit making organisations or commercial businesses;
Statutory services/bodies (unless applying for young people’s activities);
Projects that result in an individual’s personal gain;
The same activity over and over (unless there is strong evidence to justify repeat funding);
Any costs incurred prior to the Grants Panel’s approval of the project;
Individuals – all applications must be made through properly constituted / governed organisations.
Points to consider
¤ Of all the people your project benefits, at least 50% of them must be NDC residents to receive full funding. A lower percentage than this and you may be offered an appropriate proportion of funding.
¤ You can apply up to 3 times in a 12 month period for up to £1000 per application*.
¤ There are no deadlines for this fund – you can submit your application at any time.
¤ You do not have to have a bank account to apply – NDC can purchase goods on your behalf once an application has been approved.
¤ There is a limit of £3.50 per head for any refreshments included in your application.
¤ You cannot reapply for a small grant if there is outstanding evidence required from a previous award (e.g. receipts, monitoring reports etc). Previous applications must be closed before any new applications will be considered*.
¤ You can apply for a small grant if you have a live medium or large NDC grant, providing it is for a different project and providing the medium or large project is still on target and fulfilling its monitoring and contractual requirements.
¤ You will be required to provide receipts and an evaluation report for monitoring purposes within 1 month of the completion of your project.
¤ If you apply for a Young People’s Activity grant you will be required to collect names and postcodes of attendees to evidence the number of NDC beneficiaries.
¤ If you reapply to the grants fund then any information about previous applications or monitoring records may be used by the panel in their decision-making.
¤ Activities for children or vulnerable people will require evidence that supervisors have appropriate CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks [1] - you can apply to the fund for these costs if needed.
¤ You must have appropriate insurance for the project i.e. asset insurance if purchasing equipment; public liability insurance for activities; event insurance etc.
¤ Primary contacts for the application will be required to submit proof of their home address*. This information is retained by NDC to be used by the Grants Team only in extreme or emergency circumstances; the information is kept secure and confidential in accordance with the Data Protection Act
How will your application be assessed?
The NDC Grants Team will first check each application and further information may be requested at this time. Your application will then be sent to 3 nominated members of the NDC Grants Panel for a decision. For small grant applications they will use the assessment criteria below to make a decision on your project:
The project should:
· Build confidence and improve community spirit
· Help tackle social exclusion
· Meet the required percentage of NDC beneficiaries
· Promote the NDC area
· Encourage involvement in NDC activities
· Support or develop the NDC community
· Develop the group or the group’s activities (providing they are working in line with the other criteria)
· Provide diversionary activities
. Bring people of different backgrounds and ages together
For Young People’s Activities the Panel will not use the criteria above but must agree that your project meets one or more of the following aims: help to combat anti-social behaviour, promote healthy living, stimulate personal development or encourage inclusion.
The Grants Panel will also base their decision on the available budget at the time of your application request and the quality of other applications submitted at that time.
We expect the process, from receipt of the application to providing a decision, to take no longer than 2 weeks. However, you should expect and plan for delays that may occur if:
a) You do not submit a complete application
b) The nominated panel members are unable to make a decision
If the panel members are unable to make a decision about your application, it will be presented at the next monthly Grants Panel meeting and a decision made by the full panel.
What else will you need to provide?
Each application must include the following (refer to ‘How to…’ booklet for specific guidance):
· A completed application form.
· Your constitution or governing document (an up-to-date, signed copy). The objects of the constitution need to be specific to the group’s aims and it must include the power to raise funds.
· Quotes: 2 written for anything over £500.
· Proof of home address for those listed as contacts (unless the application is from a statutory body)
· A completed payment form or recent bank statement.
· A completed diversity monitoring form.
· Evidence that you are appropriately insured for whatever it is you’re applying for.
· A completed risk assessment plan (if you are facilitating trips out or activities)
· Evidence of CRB checked volunteers if you are organising an activity for young or vulnerable people.
Where should you send the application?
When your application is complete and signed please send it to: The Grants Team, Doncaster NDC, Highfield House, 9-13 Highfield Road, Doncaster, DN1 2LA
How will you get the grant?
If your application is approved the money will be transferred directly into your bank account by BACS transfer (you will need to complete the payment form to allow us do this). Or you can request to receive a cheque if you’d prefer, however this may take slightly longer to administer.
Can you appeal against a decision?
If the Grants Panel decides to reject your application then you will be given the reasons it was declined in writing. If you would like to appeal against the decision then please contact the Grants Team on receipt of your decision letter to discuss the procedure. The procedure for making an appeal is time limited so it is important to contact the Grants Team as soon as possible, if your application has been declined.
Where can you get help?
The enclosed booklet ‘How to complete your small grant application form’ provides advice about answering the questions and the information you need to provide as well as offering hints about what the Grants Panel will be looking for. However, you can also contact the Grants Team on 01302 735766 if you have any further questions or need advice. We can provide a copy of the NDC delivery plan and project list if you do not have access to the Internet and we can also help you to find other sources of funding if the NDC Grants Fund is not appropriate for your needs.
If you would like further information about the NDC programme in general or would like to get involved and / or share your views, please contact us on 01302 735760 or visit our website www.doncasterndc.co.uk
If you would like help or advice about how NDC can help you publicise your project or organisation then please contact the Communications Team on 01302 734787 or 01302 735764
* Exceptions apply for young people’s activities
[1] CRB checks (or Disclosures) are usually required for people working with or supervising children or vulnerable adults – this could include the elderly; people with physical or learning disabilities; or people with a physical or mental illness. There are 2 types of check available but essentially the process is the same: the bureau will check police records (and possibly other information) for details of current or spent convictions, cautions, reprimands & warnings. There is a fee for the service but CRB can provide it free of charge for volunteers. For more information visit the website www.crb.gov.uk or call the CRB on 0870 90 90 811
