Innovation Grants Fund

Transcription

1 Innovation Grants Fund Guidance Notes for Applicants Version: V2.1 Date issued: Author: Hyde Charitable Trust Contacts Address: Hyde Charitable Trust c/o Grants Management Team 181 Hollingsworth House, PO BOX 51182, Lewisham, London, SE13 6AA address: Online application: Phone: Gloria Osinowo: Wahid Islam: Hyde Charitable Trust; Registered Charity

2 Guidance Notes for Applicants We hope that the following guidance will provide you with the relevant information you need to make a successful application to our Innovations Grant Fund. If you would like someone who speaks your community s language to help you complete the application form, please contact us and we will do our best to put you in touch with someone who speaks your language and understands this grant fund. They will assist you in understanding the application form, which must be completed in English. We will also do our best to provide these guidance notes in alternative formats, for example large print, if requested. Please contact Hyde plus on or us at grantsadministration@hyde-housing.co.uk About the programme The Innovations Grant Fund is a Hyde Charitable Trust programme making grants for projects that deliver Hyde Plus outcomes for Hyde residents and communities. To ensure maximum benefit for Hyde residents, grant applications are developed by the Hyde Plus staff team working jointly with selected organisations. There are no limits to the funding amount that can be applied for but generally the maximum award in any one year will be 15,000; and funding can be agreed for projects delivered up to March Hyde Plus operates a separate Innovations programme procuring research and development, and delivery of ideas for larger projects. Who is eligible to apply? You are eligible to apply if you are a voluntary, community, charitable organisation, education, statutory or other not-for-profit service provider. We also accept applications from Community Interest Companies and social enterprises. Grants can be awarded directly to Hyde Plus to deliver activities where they are the most appropriate organisation to ensure effective delivery. All grants awarded in this way must consider how the activity will be delivered in the long term, or ceased if appropriate, in applications. If you can answer yes to the following three questions then you are eligible to apply: Innovations Grant Fund 2

3 1. Is the applying organisation a voluntary, community, charitable organisation or education, statutory or other not-for-profit service provider? 2. Is the applying organisation working with a member of the Hyde Plus staff team to develop a project idea that will deliver Hyde Plus outcomes? 3. Does the applying organisation have a bank account that requires two signatories? When to apply The Innovations Grant Fund is open all year round and applications are assessed on an ongoing basis. It can take up to 4 weeks to hear a decision about your application and, if approved, a further 2 4 weeks to process payment, so it is best to apply well in advance of when you want your activity to start. How to Apply Applicants will be invited to apply after discussions with a Hyde Plus Officer. If you would like to talk to a Hyde Plus Officer about your idea please contact grantsadministration@hyde-housing.co.uk to identify the most appropriate person. Applications are made online at Applications are by invitation and developed working jointly with a Hyde Plus member of staff. Completing the Expression of Interest and Application Form The organisation completing the Application Form must be the same organisation that will receive the grant and manage the project. The online form contains question specific guidelines to help you complete the form. Applications must be supported by the following evidence: Evidence of legal status Articles and memorandum of association (for a company) or equivalent constitutional documents Innovations Grant Fund 3

4 List and contact details of committee or board members Latest published annual accounts Evidence of the organisational bank account (bank statement) Insurance details Key policies Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding Policies, Health and Safety Statement Due to the nature of some pieces of work a simplified application may be adequate. How much can I apply for? There are no limits to the funding amount that can be applied for but generally the maximum award in any one year will be 15,000; and funding can be agreed for up to the end of March What can the grant money be spent on? The Innovations Grant Fund supports activities that deliver Hyde Plus outcomes. In Hyde Plus outcomes follow the key themes of: Money and Debt, Jobs and Training, Building Communities, Getting Online, Opportunities for Young People, and Innovation and Insight; and all grant applications must support delivery of one or more of these outcomes. Please see the Hyde Plus Outcomes section at the end of this document for full detail of the outcomes we are working towards. We want our projects to succeed, make a lasting difference for our residents, and we want to achieve wider benefit from a continual cycle of learning, review and improvement. Applications can, therefore, include the following: Project development costs including consultation Management costs and proportionate overheads, including salaries Direct project delivery costs, including salaries Monitoring, impact and evaluation costs What can t the money be spent on? You are not allowed to spend Innovation Grant Funds on: Activities or expenditure that happen or start before a grant is confirmed Activities that promote political or religious beliefs Projects that support people who do not live in England Purchase of alcohol or tobacco Any unlawful activity Innovations Grant Fund 4

5 How are the applications assessed? Applications from eligible applicants will be assessed based on the information provided in the application form and against the following criteria: 1. Organisational capability extent to which the applicant is: Well governed Accountable Effective Financially viable 2. Context extent to which applications evidence: Understanding of the wider context and good practice The desire to achieve lasting change that will avoid duplication and reflect wider national and regional priorities That people who will benefit from the work, as well as those who could influence its success or failure, have been or will be meaningfully consulted at the outset and actively participate during delivery and review 3. Activity extent to which applications evidence: The need for the activity, with a proven and significant gap in current provision Working in partnership to achieve outcomes People and organisations with direct experience of the communities they support, or the challenges they are trying to address, delivering activities People from all sectors of the community are included and represented in the work, and that there is equality of opportunity Points of innovation and/ or if the application is to extend or repeat an exisiting activity how the project will ensure new beneficiaries or outcomes are achieved 4. Project Costs and Management - extent to which applications evidence: There is an appropriate and realistic use of human and financial resources to achieve the intended goal There is a clear, structured and well thought out project plan with realistic milestones and targets There is a clear, structured and well thought out plan to promote the activities and recruit and retain participants, especially Hyde residents Innovations Grant Fund 5

6 There is a clear plan to gather information to show that change occurs, and how change will be measured, demonstrated, analysed, and then applied to inform future work Who makes the final decision? All applications are assessed by Hyde Plus Grant Officers and Senior Managers using a scoring matrix based on the assessment criteria above. Based on these recommendations the final grant-making decision is taken by Hyde Plus Grant Making and Impact Manager and, for applications above 10,000 in any one year, the Director of Hyde Plus. For grants requests above 30,000 in any one year require approval from the Hyde Charitable Trust Board of Trustees. Letting you know the outcome of your application There are three possible outcomes from your application: 1. Your application is successful. 2. Your application has been unsuccessful but we would like to work with you to make some changes so that we can make a grant award. 3. Your application has been unsuccessful. Whilst every effort is made to process applications quickly you should allow 4 weeks for processing. If you commit to anything before you ve heard if your application has been approved you will be doing so at your own risk. Innovations Grant Fund 6

7 What happens if you are successful in being offered a grant? We will write to you offering you a grant award, and setting out detailed terms and conditions. This paperwork will include, a formal grant agreement, progress, monitoring, impact and evaluation schedule, payment and financial evidence schedule and, where relevant, The Hyde Groups safeguarding policies and procedures. We will also request copies of any further documentation required. What you need to do to receive the funding? You will be responsible for signing and returning the Acceptance of Grant Letter which you will receive once the application has been approved. Grant payments will be made in instalments based on mutually agreed payment schedules and evidence triggers. The first payment will be made as soon as possible once your funding acceptance and supporting documentation has been received but no more than 4 weeks in advance of your activity starting. You must have an organisational bank account with two signatories required for expenditure from it before we can pay you any of your Innovation Grant. Monitoring, evaluation and end of project reports Monitoring and evaluation activities form an integral part of the Innovation Grant Fund process, aiming to show the contribution each activity or project makes towards achieving Hyde Plus outcomes. Progress towards outcomes can be measured through a range of monitoring and impact tools including: beneficiary characteristics and number, exit surveys, baseline and distance travelled surveys, case studies, videos and photographic evidence. To the extent that this may require the sharing of personal data you will need to obtain appropriate consents and comply with the Data Protection Act Each Innovation Grant activity will have an accompanying Progress, Monitoring, Impact and Evaluation Schedule which should be followed and reviewed throughout Innovations Grant Fund 7

8 the activity; compliance with this requirement forms part of the evidence needed to trigger staged grant payments. Any copyright or other intellectual property developed as part of a funded project will be governed by the Grant Agreement. Declaration By signing the application form you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the Hyde Charitable Trust fund as they are set out in the application form and in these guidance and notes, and understand that any offer of a grant will be subject to your proposed work remaining within grant criteria. Help and further information For further information please contact Hyde Plus on: Telephone number us at grantsadministration@hyde-housing.co.uk Apply online at Innovations Grant Fund 8

9 Supplementary Guidance: Hyde Plus Outcomes Theme Money and Debt Jobs and Training Building Communities Getting Online Opportunities for Young People Insight and Innovation Outcomes Residents accessed the information, advice and support they needed to increase their financial wellbeing Financial gains to residents through increased financial wellbeing Financial gains to the business through increased financial wellbeing Financial inclusion activities have a positive impact on residents lives Residents accessed the information, advice and support they needed to support their position in the labour market Residents have increased relevant skills and the confidence for work Residents moving into employment Jobs and training activities have a positive impact residents lives Residents are leading and engaged in community activities Increased community capacity and self-reliance Better served and resourced communities More cohesive communities Communities activities have a positive impact on residents lives Residents have received advice and support they needed to get online Increased use of digital technology and the internet amongst residents Residents accessed high quality volunteering experiences Financial gains to the business through use of digital technology skills Digital technology skills have a positive impact on residents lives Young people have improved opportunities and pathways Young people have increased confidence Young people have increased skills and capability Young people at risk of serious youth crime/gang related activity/ ASB are engaged in positive activities Young people making a positive contribution to their community Youth development activities have a positive impact on residents lives Reduction in social challenges for the business New ideas and innovations developed based on insight Innovations Grant Fund 9

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