Deadline: 27-Jan-23
The Lewes Town Council Community Grants are now open for applications.
The Council recognises and supports the valuable contribution made by many voluntary groups and organizations (often very small) who contribute to the wellbeing of the local community. It will consider financial support for those working for the benefit of the town. It will not, normally, aid commercial organizations.
Objectives
The objectives of the Community Grants Scheme are to help maintain a vibrant community sector in the town, with particular emphasis on groups and non-commercial organisations who support the Council’s vision which covers:
- Sustainable transport: related infrastructure and signage, cycling routes, bus transport
- Openness: engagement; consultation; partnership
- Trees and biodiversity: wildlife and the environment, open spaces
- Support for equality, diversity and inclusion, and specifically disadvantaged and under-represented groups and foodbanks
Funding Information
- There is a Grants Fund agreed within their annual budget for us to give away during the year as single grants of up to £2000, and these are disbursed four times a year.
- Amounts over £2000 will be given only in exceptional circumstances.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications will not be considered for grants to commercial organizations, and only in appropriate circumstances to individuals.
- Applications will not be considered from organizations intending to support or oppose any particular political party, or to discriminate in any way (eg on grounds of race or religion, etc.).
- Applications will not be considered from private businesses to make profit/surplus.
- Applications will not be considered from “upwards funders”, ie. local groups whose fund-raising is sent to their central headquarters for redistribution.
- Applications will not normally be considered from national organizations or local groups with access to funds from national “umbrella” or “parent” organizations, unless funds are not available from their national bodies, or the funds available are inadequate for a specified project.
- Applications from religious groups will be considered where a clear benefit to the wider community can be demonstrated irrespective of their religious beliefs. Compliance with this requirement will need to be demonstrated throughout the project.
- Applications from education, health or social services establishments will be considered where the organization can demonstrate that it is working in partnership with other groups and there are benefits to the wider community.
- The organization must have clearly-stated aims and objectives.
- The organization must provide a written Constitution that has been formally adopted by the members of that organization or, where their association is less “formal”, similar evidence of agreement between individuals.
- The organization must provide, or propose to provide, an activity or service that is believed to be clearly needed by the local community or by a particular group of residents.
- The organization is required to submit audited accounts or accounts that have been independently examined by a suitably qualified person, for the previous two financial years or, in the case of a newly-formed organization or less formal group, a comprehensive budget and business plan.
- If the organization is established, it is required to have a bank account in its own name with at least two authorized representatives required to sign and a demonstrable financial control system. If recently-formed or informally associated, details will be required to satisfy the Council of adequate control over accounts that are to be used.
- Applications may be made at any time during the financial year. In the case of an advance payment, written confirmation may be required stating that the money will be used for the purpose requested, as well as a monitoring & evaluation statement at the end of the project period or the financial year, whichever is the sooner.
- Lewes Town Council reserves the right to reclaim the grant in the event of it not being used for the purpose specified on the application form.
- Organizations that receive a grant will be required to acknowledge Lewes Town Council’s contribution on all publicity/printed material.
- Organizations that receive a grant will be required to submit a report detailing how the grant has been applied, once their project or initiative is underway/complete, using the pro-forma provided with their grant confirmation.
- Organizations that employ staff are encouraged to pay the prevailing Living Wage Foundation Living Wage.
- Organizations requesting funds for buildings must provide evidence of security of tenure in the relevant property for a minimum of 7 years from the date that the grant is considered.
- Organizations requesting funds for buildings must provide proof that the property is adequately insured.
- Funding for buildings will not normally be considered if a mortgage or loan is secured on the premises.
- Where the Town Council deems it appropriate, organizations may be required to provide progress reports or to allocate a place on their management or executive committee for one or more Town Council representatives.
- Where deemed necessary, the Town Council may request site visits and/or meetings with the applicants to discuss the viability of the proposed project.
For more information, visit Lewes Town Council.