Community Grants Scheme
The Community Grants Scheme is now closed for this year 2012/13
Download Criteria for Community Grants.pdf
Download Application Form for Community Grants.pdf
GUIDANCE NOTES
1. INTRODUCTION
Monmouth Town Councilis pleased to announce that it has set aside £9,000 for 2012/2013 to fund Community Projects. The scheme is not applicable to large scale construction works such as a contribution towards a new village hall.
Applications are invited from local voluntary groups and charitable organisations within Monmouth Council boundaries for consideration by the Council for the award of grants of up to 75% of the total cost of projects, equipment or on-going running costs. The maximum grant available will not normally be more than £750 per application and applications received in the designated time period will be assessed on their merits. The applicant will be expected to raise 25% of the cost of the project or the equipment through fund raising activities.
Applications may be submitted for contributions to projects costing up to £5000 and will be considered on their merit providing other sources of funding the balance have been secured.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that a grant would enable them to contribute towards the Community Affairs Committee’s aims and objectives:
Grants are awarded on a year by year basis and should not be relied on for further support
Aims
To support and strengthen communityparticipation, activities and events and to help develop a sustainable, welcoming community.
2. Who can apply?
Applications are welcome from groups and organisations across the Town.
Please note that applications from the following will NOT be considered:
- Individuals
- Organisations seeking to promote, support or oppose any political party
- Commercial businesses
Applications from national organisations having local branches may be considered, but must demonstrate that the project will be of benefit, either directly or indirectly, to communities in Monmouth.
Playgroups must clearly explain their status, i.e. voluntary, non-profit making, business etc.
Grants for certain fund raising activities, and other projects which are expected to realise a profit but require initial funding, will be made as a guarantee against loss or be conditional on the grant being returned if a profit is realised.
3. HOW TO APPLY
Firstly, the application should identify and cost the project or equipment. Twenty five per cent of the cost will have to be raised by the applicant through local fundraising or from balances, so consideration must be given to how this can be achieved.
The Council’s application form must be completed by a responsible member of the organisation and submitted by noon on 25th January 2013 with the following supporting documents:
- The Constitution of the Organisation (if applicable) or at least, the aims and objectives of the organisation
- Copy of the costing for the project
- New organisations should submit a plan and budget
- Copies of the audited accounts and balance sheets for the last two years (for new organisations, the bank statements to date will suffice)
- Up-to-date current account and investment account balances
- The last Annual Report of the organisation (if applicable).
- Copy of the public liability insurance certificate
- Copies of the Equal Opportunities Policy, Health and Safety Policy and Child Protection Policy for the organisation (if applicable)
- Copies of any permission needed to carry out the project (eg. planning permission etc).
One body, the Community Affairs Committee appointed by the Council from the full membership of the Council, ensuring that all parts of the Town are fully represented, will consider and determine grants under the scheme. The Committee has full delegated powers to award the full grant allocation.
4. TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Grants, if approved, may be awarded for up to 75% of the total project cost. The balance of funds must be raised by local fundraising or from balances.
- Once a grant has been offered no change can be made and no allowance for inflation can be given
- Grants must be taken up within 12 months of the offer.
- VAT will not be paid to VAT registered organisations.
- Any revenue consequences of the project or equipment will be the responsibility of the applicant’s organisation
- The applicant must issue an official acknowledgement of receipt of the grant and provide updates on its use and inform the Council when the project is completed.
- The Council will reserve the right to inspect the project from time to time during progress and at completion. Photographs may be taken, where appropriate, and used by the Council in publicity for the Grant Scheme.
- Applicants are requested to acknowledge the support provided by the Council in any publicity or related materials.