Deadline: 21-Dec-22
The Somerset Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its Cost-of-Living Fund.
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 usually 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, but not for statutory duties.
Is there anything I can’t use this money for?
- They can’t give money to:
- install solar panels or other long term energy saving measures
- direct support to households experiencing poverty, such as household goods or repairs, and food (a separate fund will be made available for this shortly)
- individuals, sole traders or companies limited by shares
- national organisations and groups based outside Somerset
- groups that give money to another group, rather than spend it on their own activities
- groups that have not reported back satisfactorily on grants they have awarded them in the past
- 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.
Funding Information
- They are still raising money for this fund but expect to make at least £350,000 available.
- You can ask them for between £1,000 and £10,000 but they expect the average grant to be about £6,000.
- Your group can only apply for money from this fund once.
What can I use this money for?
- You can only use this money to help reduce the additional financial impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on your organisation. This may be a combination of the following:
- meeting rising demand for your service from people experiencing poverty
- covering increased running costs caused by inflation, like heating a building or providing transport
- subsidising services you usually charge for to remove barriers to people who are struggling to afford or access them
Eligibility Criteria
- You can only apply if you work or volunteer for a group that:
- is based and working in Somerset (but not BANES or North Somerset)
- is run by a committee or board of at least 3 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.
For more information, visit Somerset Community Foundation.