Community Grants Scheme (£500 to £30k)

Introduction

The Birchen Coppice Pride in Place Programme (BCPIPP) Neighbourhood Board invites applications from community groups, voluntary organisations, charities, schools, social enterprises and other not-for-profit organisations for funding through the Pride in Place Community Grants Scheme. The scheme supports community-led projects that benefit the Birchen Coppice Pride in Place Programme area, by helping to strengthen pride, improve local neighbourhoods, bring residents together and create lasting positive change. Organisations may apply for grants of between £500 and £10,000 for revenue and/ or up to £20,000 for capital costs (total maximum £30,000).

Who can bid?

Voluntary and community sector organisations, charities, social enterprises, schools and other not-for-profit organisations operating in or benefiting the Birchen Coppice Pride in Place Programme area may apply. Applicants must have a formal constitution or governing document and a bank account in the organisation’s name. Projects must primarily benefit residents of Birchen Coppice. If you are an individual or group looking for  £500 or less please apply to the Pride in Place Microgrant Scheme.

What is the process for applying for funding?

Applications must be submitted using the accompanying application form below. Completed applications should be returned and return by email to prideinplace@bcpipp.org.uk or send to Pride in Place Team, c/o Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF

Applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis by the Pride in Place Programme funding panel against the aims of the Pride in Place programme and available funding.

What can the funding be used for?

The purpose of this fund is to support community-led activity that increases pride in the Birchen Coppice Pride in Place area and improves quality of life for local residents. Funding may be used for community events, environmental and public space improvements, youth activities, volunteering initiatives, cultural and heritage projects, health and wellbeing activities, skills development, community engagement projects and other initiatives that strengthen community connections and local identity. Organisations can apply for revenue or capital projects, or both. Reasonable project delivery costs are eligible. Administration and overhead costs should not exceed 10% of the grant requested.

What we will not fund

• Purchases prior to funding being confirmed or activities where funding has already been secured

• Activities that promote political beliefs, are designed to impose religious beliefs on others, discriminates against individuals or organisations or promotes any illegal or immoral purposes.

• On-going core costs e.g. staff

• Payments to individuals with no clear link to a community, voluntary or resident-led group

• Privately owned businesses

• Organisations with aims that do not match those of the Pride in Place Project.

What information should be included in our application?

Applicants should clearly describe the project, the amount of funding requested, how the funding will be spent, the expected outcomes, the number of residents who will benefit and how the project supports the issues identified by the community and the objectives of Pride in Place in Birchen Coppice.

What are the timescales for the funding?

Projects should normally commence within three months of the grant award and be completed within twelve months unless otherwise agreed. You will be asked to provide details of expected timescales and key milestones as part of your application. Successful applicants will be required to provide monitoring information and a short report detailing how the funding has been used and the outcomes achieved.