Apply for a community grant

We award grants to organisations to assist with projects which benefit the community and that match council policy.

There are two main forms of grant available:

• Community Grants – for local projects that benefit an area of North Herts
• Community Facility Capital Grants – to improve community centres, village halls and buildings that the local community use

Given the pressure on council funding, the money available for grants has reduced, and there have therefore been some changes in the grant criteria.

How to apply

After deciding which grant you want to apply for:

1. Read through the criteria
2. If you think that your project might fit the criteria, download and fill in a grant application form which can be found below
3. Gather any relevant supporting documentation e.g. accounts, business plans, constitution, quotes, safeguarding policies.
4. Email your application with copies of your supporting documents to: community@north-herts.gov.uk

Important points to note:

• Applications with all necessary supporting documentation must be emailed by midnight on the grant deadline date.
• Applications must be submitted on the application form provided on the web page and be emailed as a readable Microsoft Word document (not PDF). No other version will be accepted.
• Handwritten forms will not be accepted unless under exceptional circumstances by prior arrangement.
• Incomplete applications after this date will go into the process for the next meeting round.

Grant assessment

Our officers will meet to assess each application on its merits against the grant criteria agreed by cabinet in January 2020.

If the application meets the criteria, it will be put forward for consideration to the relevant committee or panel meeting.

Organisations eligible to apply

Applications will be accepted from organisations that:

• are volunteer led or operated on a not-for-profit basis, such as, but not limited to:
  • registered charities (that have a charity number)
  • un-registered charities (with income under £5000), constituted groups or clubs (e.g. including children, youth and the elderly, etc)
  • Community Interest Companies (CIC) or Community Interest Organisations (CIO)
  • schools and academies (providing the activity is beyond their statutory responsibilities)
  • social enterprises
  • sports clubs
  • resident groups and clubs
  • faith based organisations (where they are including the wider community)
  • business groups and organisations, including Business Improvement Districts (on condition that the funding is for something that provides additionality)
  • parish, town and community councils (on condition that the funding is for something that provides additionality)
• are for the benefit of residents of North Herts
• are able to demonstrate financial viability by providing details of income and expenditure and, where relevant, demonstrate compliance with previous grant conditions.
• have an open-door membership policy and provide services that are accessible to all.  This does not preclude single gender organisations from applying as long as they can demonstrate that they comply with the Equality Act 2010.
• are formally constituted or demonstrate a good governance structure, including a management committee or board of trustees that are not all immediately related. Be able to demonstrate financial need and that other sources and options for funding have been considered.
• are able to demonstrate the award of the grant provides additionality to the service provision of the organisation.

What is eligible for grant funding?

Eligible

• activities
• events
• equipment
• publicity and publications
• repairs and maintenance
• site and building works
• training/workshops
• travel and transport (not overseas)
• venue hire
• refreshments (not alcohol)

Not eligible

• retrospective funding e.g. for items already purchased or events that have already happened.
• goods and services already received or paid for
• purchase of alcohol
• a service that the state is obligated to provide.
• charitable donations
• contingency cost, loans, endowments or interest.
• land or building where ownership (freehold or eligible lease) is not yet established.
• political or religious activities.
• purchase of items on behalf of another
• recoverable VAT

The Community Engagement Team can also provide external funding advice.

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