BIG has introduced some changes to Awards for All making it easier to apply for a grant.
Firstly, following a review of the new programme that launched in April this year, and after assessing how applicants have been using the new application materials, BIG have "tweaked" them to make some of the questions, and the guidance notes, clearer.
Secondly, a new guide to support groups during the application process has been introduced. It fully explains requirements of groups that have been offered a conditional grant, and should prove useful for deciding whether to apply to Awards for All in the first place.
The third change, is the relaxation of the requirements for a referee. The application form will no longer ask for referee details to be included. Whilst the requirement has not been removed all together – certain groups may be asked where it is felt a referee is needed once the application has been looked it – making the initial application process quicker and easier for all.
Awards for All England is a simple small grants scheme making awards of between £300 and £10,000. The Awards for All programme aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need.
Projects need to meet one or more of the following outcomes:
- People have better chances in life - with better access to training and development to improve their life skills.
- Stronger communities - with more active citizens working together to tackle their problems.
- Improved rural and urban environments - whic communities are better able to access and enjoy.
- Healthier and more active people and communities.
Applicants must also
- Be a not-for-profit group (including social enterprises), or you are a parish or town council, school or health body.
- have a bank account that requires at least two unrelated people to sign each cheque or withdrawal.
- have a governing body with at least three unrelated members
- can spend the grant within one year.
Here are some examples of what a grant can pay for:
- equipment hire or purchase
- feasibility studies for building projects that will cost £25,000 or less (including VAT)
- information technology equipment
- land, building, refurbishment, landscaping or property projects (including playgrounds and temporary buildings) costing £25,000 or less (including VAT)
- materials for use in your project
- publicity materials for use in your project
- sessional workers (those who work only as and when required)
- training
- transport costs
- updating equipment for health and safety reasons
- venue hire
- volunteer expenses
- VAT that you cannot recover.
Will not fund:
- projects or activities that are predominantly based around Arts, Heritage or Sports
- activities that happen or start before we confirm our grant
- any costs you incur when putting together your application
- any expenditure incurred or committed before we confirm our grant (including deposits)
- day-to-day running costs (for example, utility bills, council tax, rent and insurance)
- contingency costs
- endowments
- existing activities and repeat or regular events, including those we have funded before
- feasibility studies for building projects that will cost more than £25,000 (including VAT)
- fundraising activities for your organisation or others items that mainly benefit individuals (for example, equipment that is not shared)
- land, building, refurbishment, landscaping or property projects (including playgrounds and temporary buildings) costing more than £25,000 (including VAT)
- loans or interest payments
- ongoing staff costs (including salaries of permanent or fixed term staff)
- political or religious activities
- projects or activities that the state has a legal obligation to provide
- projects that you cannot maintain because of high ongoing costs or the need for specialist skills
- projects that cannot be completed within 12 months
- routine repairs and maintenance
- used vehicles
- VAT that you can recover.
Call the team for advice on 0845 4 10 20 30.
www.awardsforall.org.uk/england/summary.html
Email : general.enquiries@awardsforall.org.uk
:
