1. Northamptonshire Community Foundation
Grants
Rachel McGrath
Grants Director
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2. Introduction Independent grant giving organisation
Donor and philanthropic services
Developing and researching local knowledge and tackling social issues
Build local capacity of groups
Community leadership: provide practical, financial and creative leadership in local communities

3. Brief History Established in 2002
We give grants to community groups on behalf of a range of Donors
2500 projects to the amount of £8 million
We combine community development for groups with flexible donor services
Raised £8 Million in endowment
We raise funds creatively

4. Apply for a grant Today! Online application via website
We can look at draft applications via
If you are unsure contact us and we can match you with the most appropriate Fund
We provide larger grants up to £10,000
Monthly grants panel – you are never more than 4 weeks away from a grants panel
Over £1 million to allocate 15/16

5. Go to www.ncf.uk.com/grants

8. General Grants Programme
Our funding comes in all shapes and sizes from a range of donors - to help the young and old, those with disabilities, projects which develop the cultural and creative life of a community, healthy living and the environment, as well as sports and recreation.  
Our general grants programme intends to benefit the whole community and fund a wide range of projects including:
Community events and activities
Small scale training, rental and staffing costs
Small and large pieces of equipment
Support groups, residents associations, sports and arts clubs
Grants up to £3000 matched by a range of funds

9. The Compton Fund for Arts, Culture and Heritage
The Compton Fund for Arts, Culture and Heritage wish to support a broad range of high quality arts, culture and heritage activity across Northamptonshire. The fund will offer awards between £500 and £5000.
The Fund will consider a wide range of projects including:
• Community events and activities • Heritage activity such as sharing local history • Cultural activity such as a celebration of a new community’s way of life • Arts activity such as putting on a play or musical performances • Small or large pieces of equipment that relate to the aims of the fund

10. NCC Youth Small Grants Programme
The Northamptonshire County Council youth small grants programme will offer individual grants of £2,500 to £10,000 to develop ongoing project activity or initiate new project activity for young people aged years ( years for those who have a disability). Applications are welcomed for projects that:
Provide a range of cultural, sporting & environmental activities for children & young people
Provide support for young people “Not in Education, Employment or Training” (NEETs)
Work in partnership to reduce youth crime
Reduce the numbers of first time entrants to the criminal justice system
Address the impact of child poverty

11. NCC Small Grants Programme
The Northamptonshire County Council grants programme will offer individual grants of £500 to £5,000 for one-off type costs that must have match funding of at least 25% of the overall cost of the project. The grant investment is to fund an activity or service to help develop local communities and must be of clear benefit to the community at large or a section of it. Applications are welcomed for projects that: * Increase involvement within the community * Improve relationships in the community * Enable people to feel motivated, take ownership and feel they are making a difference * Increase the number of people volunteering * Create a cleaner, greener and more prosperous county * Revenue and funding for equipment is eligible

12. Comic Relief
There are still many communities in the UK that suffer from economic and social deprivation and the current economic climate may make this situation worse.  For this reason, Comic Relief have allocated £4.5 million to fund projects across the UK which are addressing these issues through a second phase of the 'Local Communities' programme. The Local Communities programme will run for two years and during this time, grants of between £1000 and £10,000 will be available. The programme aims to empower local people, enabling them to create lasting change in their communities. Projects should be run by people directly affected by the issues they are dealing with and priority will be given to small, locally based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear understanding of the needs of their community.

13. Northamptonshire 100 Fund
Northamptonshire 100 was launched in May 2010 and its aim is to bring 100 like minded businesses and individuals together into a ‘circle of giving’. Each member of the initiative donates a regular amount each year and part of this donation has been used to launch this new Northamptonshire 100 fund Funding Theme is ‘Health and Wellbeing'. Groups can apply for up to £3000.
Example projects may include: • Activities that help people improve their diet and to be more healthy • Volunteer led community projects that promote healthy lifestyles • Activities that reduce isolation or that provide social activity for older people to prevent loneliness • Activities that provide help for people living with a health condition or illness • Providing support services to promote emotional and mental wellbeing such as counselling services

14. High Sheriff Initiative Fund
The High Sheriff’s Initiative encourages the development of projects which bring young people closer to their communities to create a more cohesive society. It seeks to help communities and young people within Northamptonshire realise their potential, creating stronger and safer communities.
• Projects targeting 5 – 19 year olds
• New initiatives from existing groups and new groups/projects
• Small grassroots level community organisations
• Work which reaches out to and involves excluded young people
• Projects that improve the safety of your community
• Work led by young people

15. Surviving Winter Fund
Grants made from this fund will be awarded to groups and organisations supporting vulnerable older people aged 65+ during the winter period.
A Small Grant is for a project activity between £250 and £2000. The Small Grants Panel meets on a monthly basis (see below). The Fund will reopen in September 2015 and runs through until 31 Feb/March 2016.
Grants awarded by the Surviving Winter Fund will meet at least one of these five aims:
Keep home warm
Dress for warmth
Stay warm at night
Eat well
Keep active

16. Localgiving.com
A not for profit website An effective online tool for local charities and community groups helping you to raise money, awareness and support for your activities. So far, almost 3,000 UK charities and community groups are registered with Localgiving.com and over 190 of these are in Northamptonshire. Since January 2012, over £200,000 has been raised through Localgiving.com here in our county.

18. Rough Guide to Funding Applications
Have we formed a group yet/ are the right people in place?
Do we have a constitution?
Do we have some basic team systems?
2 signatories on bank account?
Project planning – who, why, when, where and how?
How will you demonstrate the difference?

19. Planning the Project
What is it we want to achieve and how are we going to do it?
Use the T Grow Exercise
Topic – What is the issue?
Goal – What are the aims?
Reality – Where are you now?
Options – what are your possibilities?
Will – How committed are you?

20. Research, Research, Research!
How do you know there is a need? Can you evidence this?
Is there any local research you can use to support your aims?
Have you spoken to the people or communities you would like to help?
Can you use both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ evidence?
Is there any body else out there doing it?

21. Making the Most of your Application
Read the guidelines, criteria and other information provided by funding bodies and ensure your project is eligible
Allow yourself plenty of time. Take time to plan and prepare your application and always meet the funding organisation’s deadlines.

22. Making the Most of Your Application
Don’t assume that the funding organisation will know of your group or its track record.
Use the space on the form well, the more relevant information you can supply about the project the better.

23. Making the Most of Your Funding Application
Budget accurately. Do not guess figures and never assume that an inflated budget will result in more funding
Provide as much financial detail as possible. Supply a detailed break down of figures.

24. Creating A Budget For a Funding Application
Allow for a Range of Budget Themes
The amount of monies you apply for should cover all costs for the project activity
Do not under-estimate costings or set out an unrealistic ‘wish list’
Have appropriate financial systems in place

25. Making the Most of Your Funding Application
Feel free to consult with officers of funding bodies in advance of submitting your application.
If you have received funding before, make sure you complete all the necessary evaluation forms.

26. To sum up…. Have the right People in Place
Have a clear idea about what you want to do.
Talk to other people and research
Read the information, take advice and get other people to look at what you are writing

27. Contact us Contact us: Giving back to Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire Community Foundation
For more information please contact on:
Or visit our website at
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