Scheme to Support National Organisations Application Guidance 19 th January, 2016 Pobal is a not-for-profit company that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU.

Contents Application Form Completing the Application Information Required Appraisal Process and Timeframes Supports Available

Application Form Download Microsoft Word Application Form from Pobal Website There is a max limit of characters in text boxes which is illustrated by the size of textbox. Additional two pages to provide any further information to support your application You can include a hyperlink to any relevant supporting documentation on your website

Completing the Application Form Present a picture of your organisation and the core work that it undertakes Assume that the reader is not aware of your organisation and what it does Be concise, clear and link your answers to the question that is being asked Particularly take note of the key areas of eligibility

Application Form – Information Required Section One – Applicant Details Presentation of information on Organisation name, legal structure and primary contact information All applicants must have a Tax Reference Number or a Tax Clearance Number Those currently funded under other Pobal managed programmes should also include their Unique Reference Number

Application Form – Information Required Section Two – Your Organisation Need to show evidence that your organisation has a national remit National Organisation is considered to be a nationwide membership of individuals or organisations that can demonstrate extensive engagement across the country or a whole sector. Need to show evidence that your organisation is focused on one or more of the following

Application Form – Information Required  Addressing Poverty  Social Exclusion  Inequality Therefore eligible organisations are as follows  National Organisations who directly engage with disadvantaged groups through the provision of frontline services  National Organisations who indirectly engage with disadvantaged groups as part of their infrastructural support role to member groups who provide frontline services

Application Form – Information Required Evidence of national remit and primary focus of work should be apparent in the description of aims and core activities of the organisation(2.1) National remit and focus of work should also be evident in presenting the impact of your work, recent achievements and future plans (2.2) Present a picture of the extent of your national reach and engagement through providing information on the numbers of organisations and/or individuals you represent, the type and geographical spread of the engagement and the overall impact of this (2.3 and 2.4) Overview of the staffing structure within your organisation Overview of funding directly managed by your organisation in last two years.

Application Form – Information Required Section Three – Governance Arrangements Present a picture of the overall governance structures and systems that are operating Board composition, numbers, frequency of meetings and an overview of skillset available Details on any other sub committee structures and their overall role and how they feed into the Board Information on any good governance standards that you have in place

Application Form – Information Required Information on Financial Management procedures and controls that are in place i.e. processes and systems in place for sign off on any payments, submission of financial reports to Board Any policies in place including the management of reserves Provide Information on any strategies in place to manage any financial and operational risks that could emerge for your organisation.

Application – Information Required Section 4 – Core Costs SSNO funding is restricted to core costs only Core costs are seen as those that are critical to the operation of the organisation. They are ongoing costs and are not costs that are attributable to once off or time bound projects. In the context of SSNO, core costs refers to 1. Salary of core staff 2. Specific non salary costs 3. Contribution to overheads

Application – Information Required Need to show how the staff roles are core to the operation and continued existence of your organisation. These roles maybe related to the overall management of the organisation or to the day to day activities of the organisation Typical core staff roles are; CEO, Financial Manager, Policy Development, Information, Research, Community Participation etc… Budget Sheets – Will be dealt with in next presentation

Application - Information Required Section 5 – Need for Core Funding Need to show evidence of need for the core funding under SSNO How they are currently funded and why funded is required under SSNO How will the core funding contribute to the continued existence of your organisation and the impact if you were not successful. How the funding represents value for money

Application – Supported Documents A copy of organisations Governing Documents if you are not in contract with Pobal Annual Financial Statements 2014 if you are not in contract with Pobal Management Accounts for 2015 Job descriptions Organisation chart of all staff including how the SSNO staff roles are core to the organisation

Appraisal Process and Timeframes 1. Initial check by Pobal on basic eligibility requirements as follows a) The application form is Fully completed application form Received in electronic format Submitted by deadline Completed on official form From an eligible national organisation as defined in guidance

Appraisal Process b) Applicant can demonstrate national remit and/or the impact of its activities (must score a min of 6). c) The amount of funding is a min of €20,000 and max of €90,000 per year d) Application for funding of core costs Applications that meet all of the above will be deemed eligible and will go forward for final appraisal Applications that do not meet the above requirements will be deemed ineligible and will be informed in writing

Appraisal Process Selection CriteriaMax Score Min Quality Threshold National Remit106 Need for Funding5033 Capacity4026 Total10065 Competitive Process Quality Score = 65 Ranking will apply Score of 65 is not guarantee funding Recommendations from Pobal Board to DECLG for final decision

Timeframes Closing date for application is Feb 8 12 noon to Final decisions will be communicated by end of May 2016 Successful applicants will be issued Grant Agreements by mid- June 2016

Further Supports Pobal Online Support at or O (select option 4 for all other Following information sessions, there will be a set of FAQs available on the website