Community grant funding

Eligibility

The application must be completed by the requesting organisation.

The following can apply:

• parish and town councils
• charities
• community and voluntary groups
• clubs
• not for profit organisations

School PTAs, ‘Friends of’ groups, health charities and religious bodies can also apply for funding where projects evidence that they benefit the wider community, and support the strategic aims, objectives and priorities of the council

Private businesses, individuals and for-profit organisations are not eligible to apply.

Criteria

Applications for revenue and capital funding will be considered.
Applications need to demonstrate that funding will be used to support one or more of the council’s 6 key commitments, as outlined in the council’s Corporate Plan:

• active, fulfilled lives – helping people live healthier, more active, independent, and fulfilled lives. 
• better, brighter futures – caring for young people, providing them with a high-quality education and opportunities to help them flourish. 
• safe and thriving places – enable a thriving and successful economy that shapes great places to live, learn, work and visit. 
• green, sustainable environment – taking a lead on improving the green environment, making the area more sustainable for generations to come. 
• connected communities – ensuring our communities are connected with one another so they can shape their lives and areas where they live. 
• modern public services – providing efficient, effective, and affordable services that make a real difference to all our local communities 

In addition to the priorities listed above, applications must address positive outcomes for one or more of the key priorities set out in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy: 

• improving the lives of children and young people
• improving mental health and wellbeing 
• keeping active 
• increasing economic prosperity 
• reducing smoking & vaping 
   

Guidance

Organisations are required to declare 12 months unrestricted funds and if these are held, a valid explanation is required.

For the financial period 2024 to 2025, grants distributed will be up to a maximum of £5,000. Any applications received over £5,000 will be rejected.

What can be funded:

• core running costs (heat and light, insurance rent or premises costs, office costs, etc) 
• programme or activity costs which are directly relevant to the application projects or activities that support positive climate and/or environmental sustainability
• travel and transport costs associated with events in Northamptonshire 
• travel and transport relating to the activity in the application, either in North Northamptonshire or within 60 miles of the applicant’s main address
• hire or purchase of equipment for meeting project needs, including sports equipment 
• venue hire (excluding hire of group’s own premises) relating to the application technical assistance (where third-party support is required to meet the project outcomes) 
• festivals and events within North Northamptonshire
• capital costs 
• publicity, marketing but not political lobbying volunteer expenses, including volunteer training costs

What can't be funded:

• organisations that hold more than 12 months unrestricted operating costs within their assets, unless a good reason can be demonstrated
• activities which are discriminatory, political, or are classed as religious conversion
• activities where there is statutory funding provision available
• costs that can be claimed back from elsewhere (e.g. VAT)
• costs that are not auditable (e.g. cash payments unsupported by an approved financial system)
• costs towards banking charges or repayment of debt
• payments made to individual members of the applicant group or organisation who have a personal financial interest
• retrospective costs (activities already completed or costs incurred before the agreement of funding)
• programmes or activities which are considered the core activity of national or regional government, government departments or arms-length body, such as health or education
• gifts and prizes
• alcohol
• employee costs (including salaries)
• political lobbying
• staff training or facilitation costs
• works to facilities that are or should be subject to an insurance claim
• applicants cannot apply for additional funding towards existing projects or activities which have been grant funded by the council within the last 12 months
   

The following conditions apply for successful applicants:

• funding awards are paid upon receipt of a signed grant agreement, annex and accompanying documentation 
• your organisation will need to comply in accordance with the provisions of and principles of the Data Protection Act 2018
• this grant is not transferable between projects and organisations
• a grant is awarded on the basis of information provided in the application. Should this information be found to be misleading or in the event that the supported project is cancelled, the council will be entitled to be repaid the grant monies
• applications must be for a non-profit making purpose
• it is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they have all relevant consents and permissions in place (i.e. planning permission, DBS checks, and licenses). A grant award does not give permission to proceed with any work without the correct statutory authorisation. 
• successful grants awarded must be spent within 12 months of the award and must meet/comply with the grant arrangements
• applicants cannot apply for additional funding towards existing projects or activities previously grant funded by the council within the last 12 months
• successful grants awarded must comply with appropriate monitoring systems, including a final report and any relevant documentation such as receipts
• applications made for funding requests over £5,000 will be rejected