Funding
Funding
A variety of funding bodies exist, each targeting different themes and each offering different amounts of money. It can be quite daunting finding the right funder for you, but there are support groups who can offer advice as to where to apply and help you with the application process
If you are looking for funding, or need assistance filling out applications, the following agencies might be of help:
- Regeneration Development Team
Midlothian Council
0131 271 3199
- MVA
http://www.mvacvs.org.uk/
0131 663 9471
Local grants and funding
Dalkeith Community Association: Small Community Grants
Dalkeith Community Association is a voluntary organisation with charitable status, which manages a small grants programme for community groups based in the Dalkeith area.
Community groups/ organisations and individuals can apply for up to £1,000 throughout the funding year; the current funding year began April 2007 and ends March 2008.Priority will be given to individuals/community groups/ voluntary organisations who do not have access to other substantial sources of funding.
A Community Group/Organisation or Individual is eligible if:
- They live/operate within the community of Dalkeith
- The intended project/event demonstrates how it will benefit the local residents of Dalkeith
- The organisation is not established by statute - e.g. Community Councils.
- There is evidence to suggest that the project/events will not be completed during the period of the grant.
To find out more, or to get an application, please contact the Treasurer on 0131 654 9817, or write to:
Treasurer
Dalkeith Community Association
Dalkeith Community Centre
6 Woodburn Road
Dalkeith
EH22 2AR
Greenhall Management Committee: Small Community Grants
As an organisation, Greenhall Management Committee’s objectives are concerned with providing support and assistance in the advancement of education, recreation or other leisure time occupations, where such activities are in the interests of social welfare and improving the condition of life for the local residents of Gorebridge and surrounding areas.
Small community grants are available to voluntary community groups/organisations and individuals wishing to undertake small projects or events that will benefit local residents. The maximum grant is £1000 for any one project and priority will be given to community-based groups/organisations & individuals that do not have access to other substantial sources of funding.
The areas covered by this grant scheme are:
- Gorebridge
- Borthwick
- Temple
- Carrington
- Newlanrigg
- Dewarton
- North and South Middleton
- South east sector of Midlothian
The small community grants are not intended for routine running or ‘core’ costs e.g. staffing, although start up costs for new groups may be considered.
Examples of projects that will be funded through the Small Community Grants scheme are:
- Social & Educational Trips and Outings
- Leisure and Sporting Activities
- Resources and Equipment
- Grants to Individuals to attend Training Courses, Seminars, Conferences, etc
- Environmental improvement schemes
These grants are awarded every 6 months, to find out when the next round of grants are available, or to get further information about this grant scheme, please contact the Greenhall Management Committee on 01875 823070.
Small Projects Regeneration Fund
Midlothian Council awards Small Projects Regeneration Fund (SPRF) grants to community groups and voluntary sector organisations working for the benefit of Midlothian residents who experience poverty, social exclusion and other disadvantages.
Grants of up to £1500 are awarded twice annually. Individual organisations may receive no more than £1500 from the SPRF in a single financial year. Small grants can be made, for example, for short-term projects, the purchase of essential equipment or other small-scale capital work, pilot projects, limited start-up costs, research and feasibility studies, consultants’ fees, workshops and other events.
Applicants are not required to be registered charities, but must operate on a non-profit distributing basis and must be constituted for public benefit. Eligible groups include:
- Community or voluntary groups and associations
- Social or sports clubs (provided the proposed activity meets SPRF funding criteria)
- Charities
- Social enterprises
Priority will be given to organisations that do not have access to other substantial sources of funding. Newly established groups are encouraged to apply, but must be formally constituted. We can support new groups to become constituted.
If you would like further information about this fund, or if you would like an application form, please contact the Regeneration Development Team on 0131 271 3458.
Community Safety Small Grants
Midlothian Council awards Community Safety Small Grants (CSSG) to support local based initiatives, which have as their primary aim to reduce vandalism in Midlothian.
Grants of up to £1500 are awarded twice annually. Individual organisations may receive no more than £1500 from the CSSG fund in a single financial year. Small grants can be made, for example, for short-term projects, the purchase of essential equipment or other small-scale capital work, pilot projects, limited start-up costs, research and feasibility studies, consultants’ fees, workshops and other events.
Priority will be given to organisations that do not have access to other substantial sources of funding. Newly-established groups are encouraged to apply, but must be formally constituted. We can support new groups to become constituted.
If you would like further information about this fund, or if you would like an application form, please contact the Regeneration Development Team on 0131 271 3458.
Midlothian Fairer Scotland Fund
This funds projects which target one of the following outcomes in Midlothian:
1. Increase the proportion of school leavers (from Scottish publicly funded schools) in
positive and sustained destinations (FE, HE, employment or training).
2. Decrease the proportion of individuals living in poverty
3. Increase the percentage of adults who rate their neighbourhood as a good place to
live.
If you would like more information or an application pack please contact the Regeneration Development Team, Midlothian Council, 0131 271 3354.
If your group is looking to apply for a small award, the following funders might be a good starting point:AWARDS FOR ALL
Easiest route into lottery funding for constituted groups for awards up to £10,000.
http://www.cvp.1stclassmedia.com/admin/tiny_mce/www.awardsforall.org.uk
NEW IDEAS FUND and SEEING IS BELIEVING
Small awards of up to £5,000 to help develop ideas or go and see other examples of good practice.
http://www.cvp.1stclassmedia.com/admin/tiny_mce/www.scr.communitiesscotland.gov.uk
SCOTTISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Micro-grants
http://www.cvp.1stclassmedia.com/admin/tiny_mce/www.scottishcommunityfoundation.com
VOLUNTARY ACTION FUND
For projects involving volunteers
http://www.cvp.1stclassmedia.com/admin/tiny_mce/www.voluntaryactionfund.org.uk
Developing Proposals:
INVESTING IN IDEAS
Big Lottery Fund support for up to £10,000
http://www.cvp.1stclassmedia.com/admin/tiny_mce/www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
SCOTTISH COMMUNITY ACTION RESEARCH FUND
Communities Scotland supported initiative to help local communities develop own action research
http://www.cvp.1stclassmedia.com/admin/tiny_mce/www.scdc.org.uk
Top tips!
The Community Voices Programme hosted a ‘Success with Funding Applications’ training workshop in 2007, which was facilitated by Paul Zealey Associates http://www.pzaconsulting.com/. The following tips came out from the workshop and might be useful for people looking to apply for funding.
Top ten tips for funding applications
- SIMPLICITY: Do not use jargon. Keep it simple.
- QUESTIONS: Answer them all - no question is too small or too irrelevant.
- UNDERSTAND: Don't try to figure out unclear guidelines or applications by yourself -- call the programme helpline.
- IDENTIFY THE ASK: Ask for a reasonable amount for the project; do not "pad'' the budget or ask for less than seems reasonable.
- RESEARCH: Always know your funding source; ask questions about priorities for funding.
- RELEVANCE: Use only relevant documentation. More is not better; brief but complete is best.
- EVIDENCE: Remember to make a compelling case for funding based on a documented need.
- LEARNING: Find out about your successes and failures; ask the reasons for rejection and success so that you can continue to hone your skills and understand your weaknesses.
- SUMS: Always check and recheck your figures.
- SUMMING UP: Write your proposal as if you were making your case to a judge -- that is what grant review panelists are. Remember they will need to make difficult choices.
Many groups also find it very helpful to create a folder of information that can be drawn from whenever a funding application is to be written. Undertaking this research and preparation can save a lot of time and stress when it comes to submitting application forms, especially under tight deadlines!
This folder could include:
- Documented evidence of Community support
- Articles in the Local papers highlighting your achievements
- Awards received by staff or volunteers
- Community leaders on management committee
- Records of financial contributions from individuals
- Cash or in-kind support from local businesses
- Statistics on number of people accessing/receiving your service
- Recognition by Government or other agencies
- Active volunteer base
- Positive testimonials from clients, members, volunteers
Source: How to Raise Funds a Guide for Scottish Voluntary Organisations, Pam Judson, 2006 edition
