Deadline: 5-Jan-24
The Westmorland & Furness Council is currently accepting applications for projects and events which deliver wide community benefit in Eden.
Grants are available for groups and organisations that are involved in community projects and events that benefit the residents of Eden. Groups and organisations must demonstrate how their project or event will deliver wide benefit, contributing to the sustainability, vitality and well-being of their communities.
Project Categories
- Community Amenities
- Types of Projects Supported: Outdoor facilities such as MUGAs, shelters, recreation areas, orchards, heritage, footpaths etc.
- Minimum/Maximum Grant Levels: Min = £500 Max = £12,500
- Community Buildings
- Types of Projects Supported: Repairs, maintenance and alterations to village halls and other public buildings, contributions to new build community buildings and the purchase of equipment to be used in community buildings.
- Minimum/Maximum Grant Levels: Min = £500 Max = £12,500
- Community Enterprise
- Types of Projects Supported: Projects which generate an ongoing revenue stream for a community such as community owned pubs, shops, cafes, and community tourism initiatives.
- Minimum/Maximum Grant Levels: Min = £500 Max = £12,500
- Supporting Communities
- Types of Projects Supported: Supporting the work of organisations who support communities, including social enterprises, support organisations and Community Led Planning groups (to support the delivery of projects in their Community Led Plans).
- Minimum/Maximum Grant Levels: Min = £500 Max = £12,500
- Community Events
- Types of Projects Supported: Community celebrations, sports events, street festivals, arts and cultural events.
- Minimum/ Maximum Grant Levels: Min = £200 Max = £5,000
Funding Information
- The minimum grant for categories 1-4 (above) is £500 and the maximum is £12,500.
- For community events, the minimum grant is £200 and the maximum is £5,000.
- Awards towards the maximum grant levels will be the exception, and these projects and events will need to demonstrate significant community need and match funding.
What can be funded?
- There are three tranches and deadlines for applications during 2023-2024.
- Only capital funding is available for community projects in 2023-2024. For community events, performer/artist costs may be considered.
- Up to 80% of total costs can be applied for. The minimum contribution (match funding) required from applicants is 20%. This can be made up of the group’s own cash contribution, donations, grants and sponsorship and a maximum of 10% in-kind volunteer time or materials.
- The value of volunteer in-kind time is calculated at £9.90 per hour.
- The kinds of projects and events that can be supported by the Westmorland and Furness Community Fund are shown in the table at the top of page 3.
- Please note that the average level of grant is likely to be in the region of £4,000 – £5,000. Awards towards the maximum figures will require significant levels of match funding and demonstrable community need and support.
What will not be funded?
- The Westmorland and Furness Community Fund will not support:
- Projects or events located outside of the boundary of the area formerly known as Eden.
- Projects or events which are for private gain.
- Events primarily intended to pass on surplus income to other organisations, e.g. charity concerts.
- Revenue costs (salaries, project officer or other employee costs, rents, statutory training etc).
- Regular events (unless they have a significantly new and different aspect).
- General appeals or sponsorship.
- Activities of a mainly political or religious nature, including improvements to the fabric of church buildings (non-religious community activities held within a place of worship may be eligible).
Eligibility Criteria
- They welcome applications from community and voluntary groups, parish and town councils, charities and social enterprises to deliver projects that benefit communities and are located within the area formerly known as Eden. They do not accept applications from individuals.
- Applications will be assessed on their ability to:
- deliver wide community benefit, contributing to the sustainability, vitality and well-being of Eden’s communities, such as encouraging volunteering and participation;
- contribute to locally identified community needs and priorities (such as in Community Led Plans etc);
- demonstrate value for money (through obtaining written quotes and estimates);
- measure the success of a project or event
- demonstrate equality of opportunity and the elimination of discrimination.
- To apply to the Westmorland and Furness Community Fund your group or organisation must have:
- a written governing document or constitution
- a bank or building society account in the name of your group or organisation with at least two unrelated signatories.
- You are required to provide all necessary documentation to support your application, including copies of written quotes and estimates for all items of expenditure of £50 and over. The written quotes and estimates must display the relevant company names and addresses and be less than six months old.
- Grants will not be awarded retrospectively (e.g. for work or equipment already purchased or events which have already taken place).
- They will not make more than one award during 2023-2024 to the same organisation or group unless they are towards an identifiably different project or event. The first project or event must be completed and a Project Completion Form returned before a second application is considered.
- It is unlikely that the Westmorland and Furness Community Fund will be able to provide grants for all potentially eligible applications. Therefore, they reserve the right to prioritise applications to achieve best value for money. They also reserve the right to decline applications which do not meet the stated criteria.
- If your project is based in a building or on land that is leased from someone else, you need to demonstrate that you have a reasonable amount of time left on your lease. Your current lease should be at least as long as the expected lifespan of equipment purchased. If you are applying for building work to be carried out on a leased property, you should demonstrate that the length of your lease enables your organisation to get value for money from the project.
For more information, visit Westmorland & Furness Council.