Deadline: 6-Oct-23
The Somerset Community Foundation is offering grants to local groups so that they can provide the extra support that some people need in the community.
You can ask them for money from the Main Grants if you work or volunteer for a group that supports:
- children and young people to reach their potential and address the challenges they face
- adults with mental health problems to maintain their own health and wellbeing
- older people to age well and reduce isolation and loneliness
They’re keen that the support you provide with the money is available and accessible to those who need it the most. That includes groups of people who have in the past not always benefited from the grants. This includes groups led by and for people who are:
- from minority ethnic communities
- deaf and disabled
- LGBTQ+
- women
Funding Information
- You can ask for £1,000 to £5,000 from the Main Grants. Most grants are for about £3,000.
- They have around £300,000 in total to give out this year.
Eligibility Criteria
- You can only apply if you work or volunteer for a group that:
- benefits Somerset residents (but not BANES or North Somerset)
- is run by a committee or board of at least three unrelated people
- has a governing document or set of rules
- has an appropriate level of free reserves. If this is more than 12 months running costs, then you should have a policy explaining why
- has a safeguarding policy that meets the expectations
- has a bank account in its name, which requires at least two unrelated signatories.
- They welcome applications from groups that exist to support people in their local community. They can award money to groups that are not registered charities, but the purpose of the funding must be charitable. This means they can give a grant to:
- community groups
- registered charities
- community amateur sports clubs
- community interest companies (CIC) limited by guarantee that have a clear asset lock benefitting local communities
- companies limited by guarantee that are not-for-profit with all surpluses re-invested back into the organisation
- faith organisations, but not for the promotion of religion
- community benefit societies
- local statutory organisations, like parish councils or schools.
- If you don’t have everything listed above, then Spark Somerset may be able to support you to put them in place. Or you could talk to another group, or your local parish or town council, who could manage a grant application for you.
Ineligibility Criteria
- They can’t give money to:
- individuals, sole traders or companies limited by shares
- activities that have already taken place or purchases that you have already made
- groups that give money to another group, rather than spend it on their own activities
- the promotion of religion. But they will give money to faith organisations for projects that deliver wider community benefits
- activities that are about animal welfare.
- They can give money to these types of groups, but only in some cases:
- Social enterprises, like a Community Interest Company. Social enterprises must be limited by guarantee, and have objects and an asset lock that benefit Somerset communities.
- Statutory organisations, like a parish council or a school. Applications cannot be for statutory duties. This means they will not support educational activities for pupils that take place during the school day. They will also not give money for school facilities, classroom equipment or to train teachers. They would prefer Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) to ask them for money, rather than schools.
For more information, visit Somerset Community Foundation.