Doncaster Voluntary & Community Support Fund

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1 Doncaster Voluntary & Community Support Fund (Large Grants Programme)

2 Foreword I am delighted to announce the creation of the Doncaster Voluntary & Community Support Fund Large Grants Programme, offering grants of between 5,000 and 30,000 to eligible organisations within the borough of Doncaster. Up until March 2018, the Programme will support the delivery of the Council s Corporate Plan priorities by funding suitable third sector projects. Our priorities are Doncaster s priorities, and we know that you share them. As you know, local authority budgets are under constant review, and we have already been subjected to enormous cuts. There will be more to come, but we feel it is absolutely vital to ensure that there is money is directed towards where it is needed out in the borough, and to the voluntary and community organisations we are proud to call our partners. Times are hard, but we hope this fund will demonstrate our promise to supporting you in your important work. We have tried to make the process as concise and straightforward as possible but, obviously, we are still the Council, so there is some guidance to read! I wish you the very best with your application, and thank you for your ongoing commitment to making our borough a better place. Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster 2

3 Who can apply? We can award grants to any voluntary and community organisations within the Borough of Doncaster. This includes Community Interest Companies and Social Enterprises as long as: The grant does not result in any personal /private benefit; Any income generated from the project funded is re-invested into the project and is not used for any other purpose. We will need to see: The organisation s governing document e.g., Constitution or Memorandum and Articles of Association, which must state that upon dissolution of the organisation, any assets bought with this grant will be retained for the benefit of the community; Details of the organisation s bank/building society account; A copy of the organisation s annual accounts for the previous financial year, approved as stated in their governing document or in line with the Charity Commission guidelines. If the grant is to support a new organisation, a 12 month cash flow forecast will be required. Who can t apply? We cannot award grants to the following: Individuals Private Businesses Public Bodies e.g., Town & Parish Councils, Schools Academies Gambling Clubs Political organisations Organisations looking to fund activities outside the Doncaster Borough 3

4 What can be funded? We can potentially fund any project which supports the delivery of the priorities outlined in the corporate plan. These priorities are: All people in Doncaster benefit from a thriving and resilient economy People live safe, healthy, active and independent lives People in Doncaster benefit from a high quality built & natural environment All families thrive Council services are modern and value for money If you have an idea of how you can help deliver these priorities, then you may be eligible for a grant. Examples of the types of project we would be happy to support are food banks, healthy eating, skills and youth diversionary activities. In addition, if your idea can contribute towards delivery of Council services, you may be eligible for a grant. We will not fund: Professional fundraisers Capital contingencies Gifts and entertainment Faith based activity, unless the activity demonstrates wider community benefits eg, luncheon clubs, childcare etc. Outstanding debts Automatic continuation costs Projects for the sole benefits of animals and plants unless they demonstrate wider community benefits Overseas travel costs Sports kits & equipment / uniforms Retrospective action This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure whether your project will be eligible for funding, or if you need any clarification, please contact: ProgrammeEnquiries@doncaster.gov.uk. 4

5 The basics What do we want to achieve? As set out in the Corporate Plan, Doncaster Council s purpose is to ensure Doncaster and its people thrive. We will ensure that value for money is at the heart of everything we do. We are therefore implementing a grant programme to support activity carried out by the voluntary and community sector that is in line with the Council s objectives in order to: Support a thriving civil society in Doncaster and the significant benefits that this brings to residents and public services; Help to ensure that positive activities are able to continue in Doncaster in the face of large scale cuts to public sector budgets; Offer support in a transparent and equitable manner through a single grant process and withdraw the Council from historic core grant arrangements The single most important output required from any application is the number of people participating and / or benefiting from the project. 5

6 The basics(cont.) General points There are no deadlines for submissions. Applications can be made at any time up to 31st December 2017, subject to funding being available; Only one grant will be awarded to an organisation, other than in exceptional circumstances; Grants must be spent as stated in the Grant Approval; All funding must be spent by 31st March 2018; Match funding is welcome, however applications can be made to fund 100% of project costs; The Grant can t be used to fund costs incurred prior to the date of the Grant Approval; You will be required to provide evidence that the grant has been spent in line with your Grant Approval. Failure to provide this information will result in your organisation being required to pay back to the Council the value of any grant expenditure that can t be evidenced. Monitoring and performance arrangements will be set out in the Grant Approval; The applicant must be able to demonstrate that the project represents good value for money and benefits the people of Doncaster. The successful applicant must make available for inspection by a representative of the Council on request, financial records to evidence appropriate spending of the grant. 6

7 The application process Applying Eligibility Appraisal Decision To request an application form you will need to send an to: When you have completed your application form it should be returned to the same address. The Programmes Team will initially check your application to ensure that your organisation / project is eligible for funding. If it is, your application will proceed to the Appraisal stage. If it isn t, you will be informed why your application is ineligible for a grant. The Programmes Team will appraise your application to determine whether it meets the objectives of the VCS Fund and whether it represents value for money. The team will also consult with your Stronger Communities Area Team and Ward Councillors. You may be contacted by a member of the Programmes Team to discuss your application or to request additional information to support your application. When the appraisal process is complete, your application will be presented to the Panel for consideration. Members of the Panel will consider your application. Final approval will be made by the Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing. All applications will be assessed against the following criteria: Quality of project opportunity Benefits of the project; Level of support for the priorities of the Corporate Plan; Value for money; If your application is successful, you will be informed by and will then receive a Grant Offer Letter that will need to be signed and returned. If your application is unsuccessful, you will be informed by . 7

8 The grants panel 2 x Cabinet Member Head of Policy & Partnerships Director of Adults, Health & Wellbeing (or Assistant Director) Director of Finance & Corporate Services (or Assistant Director) The Appeals Process Any decision made on an application by the panel is final. Due to the anticipated number of applications it will not be possible to provide individual feedback on each decision. However, any enquiries regarding the handling of an application should be sent to ProgrammeEnquiries@doncaster.gov.uk where they will be referred to the Programmes & Partnerships Manager for consideration. 8