Funding Advice

We can help with identifying possible sources of funding and how to make applications. We also have regular Meet the Funders Workshops and training sessions.

A meeting can be set up with the Funding Officer, who will advise you of some basic rules to applying for funding which include:

  • Must be a constitutionalised Group
  • Must have a bank account (in the name of the group with 3 non related signatories)
  • Must have charitable aims
  • Prove there is a need; this can be done through questionnaires, high membership, no other service provision, or just stating that your group combats exclusion and isolation.
  • Identify how local people will benefit from this group being there
  • Determine exactly why funding is needed (must benefit the group (community))
  • Have at least 2 estimates (3 are better)
  • Latest copy of their accounts
  • Be able to demonstrate the benefits or differences that funding will make to their group
  • How they will monitor the success (or failure) of their funding

We will then conduct a thorough funding search of all relevant funders. This information is fed back to the group, with clear explanation of the benefits etc of certain funders and also what will be expected of them in relation to both monitoring and evaluation of the grant. Funding applications are requested and the groups are supported in there completion. We ensure they keep copies of all grants applied for, and meetings are organised with all the committee members to ensure that every one in the group fully understands what it is they are applying for and their responsibilities to accepting any grant offers.

Further and additional support is giving to the groups when both the monitoring and evaluations are due, to help ensure the group have the correct information and fully understand the forms.

Funding and Development

The Funding and Development team also work with groups on the following.

  • Basic Book Keeping (Wansbeck CVS) can arrange courses and one to one support
  • Volunteer support (VB can offer help & Guidance)
  • Health & Safety Issues (Wansbeck CVS can offer support and or advice about training courses)
  • Other legislative policies that may have to be in place for example if working with children, then child protection policy will have to be in place and CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) checks will have to be conducted
  • Training around Child Protection can be arranged through Wansbeck CVS
  • Main Administrative Tasks must be identified, for example Record Keeping, Finance, Premises etc
  • Data Protection Issues (what the groups responsibilities are regarding members (duty of care))
  • Investigate what (if any) insurances will need to be sourced (especially personal liability) if having premises