Deadline: 31-Jan-23
The Devon Community Foundation in partnership with Sovereign Housing is pleased to announce an open call for the new “Thrive With 5 – Devon on Earth Grant Scheme”.
Purpose
To provide funding for local projects and initiatives which bring people together to reduce environmental damage and improve the place where they live. Funded projects will help people understand the impact of climate change and human activity in their local community and the positive steps they can take to protect the environment.
Priorities
- They aim to fund a range of approaches and activity through this grant scheme. They will prioritise applications that demonstrate strong community engagement and bringing people together for the benefit of the environment and community, especially if people are getting involved for the first time.
- Examples of activities grants could support include:
- A series of family workshops and activities to facilitate learning about the local ecology and how to protect and preserve it
- Community planting and growing initiatives
- Local initiatives to reduce the use of motorised transport such as walking/cycling groups
- Activities to reduce the use of plastic and its impact on the planet
Funding Information
- Devon on Earth Funding is available between £2,000 and £5,000 and must be spent within 12 months of award.
Geographical Focus: The geographic area of support for this funding will be Devon, including Torbay and Plymouth.
Eligibility Criteria
- Not-for-profit, voluntary or community groups, registered charities or social enterprises that are providing services or activities for the benefit of people and communities in Devon.
- Parish or Town Councils where the project or activity has a clear benefit to the local community and is not replacing statutory provision
- Churches and faith groups where the activity does not relate to or promote religion, but the project or activity has a clear benefit to the wider community, regardless of faith / belief.
- Schools where the activity is over and above statutory responsibility and has a clear benefit to the wider community.
- All organisations seeking funding from DCF must:
- Have a Governing Document appropriate to the recognised status of the organisation and which outlines clear charitable purposes and includes a dissolution clause or asset lock e.g., Constitution, Set of Rules, Articles of Association
- Evidence that they have at least 3 unconnected Trustees, Directors or a Management Committee that consists of at least 3 unrelated members
- Have a bank account in the name of the organisation, a minimum of two unconnected bank signatories, or equivalent, & a process for more than one person to authorise payments
- Have Annual Accounts or financial records that clearly record annual income and expenditure breakdowns
- Have unrestricted reserves of less than 12 months running costs
- Have up-to-date Safeguarding policies in place to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults, where appropriate. The policy should give details of your named safeguarding lead officer and their contact details.
- Have up-to-date Equality policies
- Have in date and relevant insurance policies in place
- Community Interest Companies & other social enterprises limited by guarantee are eligible to apply if they can evidence that:
- There is a clear charitable purpose & defined social benefit outlined in the Articles of Association
- There are at least three unconnected Directors
- The project for which funding is requested must not be part of the trading services for which there would usually be a charge
- All requested costs relate directly to the delivery of the project or work being applied for.
- National or regional charities are eligible if they can demonstrate that:
- Activities are informed by a committee of local people &/or representatives
- funds relating to Devon are ringfenced & cannot be used for other purposes
- They will prioritise national and regional charities where there is a local branch that is managed locally and has its own bank account over other national and regional charities with a less formal arrangement, when there is high competition for funds.
For more information, visit Devon Community Foundation.