Typically, we do not provide repeat funding for the same project, as we believe in supporting sustainable initiatives. We expect all our projects to develop a sustainability plan during the period of our investment, so that they can they are able to secure their future.
You can apply at any time, but Stage 2 applications are reviwed three times a year.
You should consider when you would like your funding to start and use the deadline dates published on our website to work out to when you need to apply by.
It usually takes about four months from when we receive your initial Stage 1 form until a final decision is reached. Please take this into account when planning your project.
Not necessarily. The level of investment awarded is sometimes different from that requested. This can be for a number of reasons (beside our own budget constraints). For example, you may have included items in your budget (e.g. hardware or organisational overheads) that we do not fund, we may think there are opportunities to deliver your project more cost effectively, or we may feel that you could seek match-funding for some of the costs.
The duration of our investment is agreed on a project-by-project basis. We place a high value on projects that can demonstrate that they have a sustainability plan that allows them to maintain, or increase, momentum beyond the period of our support.
As part of our decision-making process, we will look at whether other funders are already involved in your project, or have been approached.
While match-funding is not a pre-requisite, if you are seeking funding of over £100,000, we recommend that you investigate other sources of revenue funding before submitting your application, as this will strengthen your proposal.
We have no upper or lower funding limit as we like to encourage applicants to be realistic about what they need to achieve their project objectives. At opposite ends of the spectrum, we have invested in projects lasting 6 months that require £2,500 to deliver, and those seeking in excess of £250,000 over a two-year duration.
If you are looking for funding of over £100,000, your application will be strengthened if you can demonstrate that you have been successful in attracting part match-funding from other organisations.
