Making an application
First check this list
- Are you sure that neither your organisation nor the purpose for which you want a grant come under our list of exclusions? YES/NO
- Will the activity for which you want a grant take place in our area? YES/NO
- Does your proposal clearly fit within one of our programmes? YES/NO
If you can answer yes to all three questions you are eligible to apply to us.
The Foundation has different grant application processes: one for requests from £1,000 to £20,000; the other for requests over £20,000. Make sure you complete the correct application form.
Complete the correct application form using the notes provided below. Make sure you attach all the required materials. Failure to supply the right information will delay the processing of the application. Keep copies of all material, including the application form, for yourself.
For all grants you need to complete the following sections about the organisation that is applying.
- Contact name: this must be the person who wrote the application and can answer questions about it.
- Project name: only fill this in if your project has a separate name from your organisation’s.
- Legal structure: please tell us which of the following describes your organisation, and give any registration number.
- unincorporated association/voluntary group;
- trust;
- community interest company;
- industrial and provident society;
- company limited by guarantee;
- other (please specify).
- Previous applications: have you previously applied to the Foundation for a grant? If the answer is ‘yes’ please quote the application number which can be found on previous correspondence from the Foundation.
- Deadlines: your organisation may be working to deadlines that we need to know about. These may be, for example, deadlines from other funders, or because a project may run out of money at a known date. Please let us know what the deadline is and describe the reason for it.
- Specify which programme: choose the one that best fits the results you want to achieve, even if you think your work covers several. Do not tick more than one. Please note, the Foundation is no longer running the Money and Jobs, Strong and Healthy Communities, and Better Buildings programmes.
- Amount requested: put in the total for which you are asking, e.g. if you want £30,000 a year for three years write ‘£90,000 over 3 years’ in the box.
- How soon could you start: write what you honestly believe to be the case. We understand that the date may be changed later.
- Local authority: please specify which cities, counties, districts or boroughs will most benefit from your work. If your work will cover the whole region, say so. Check the map at the front of this booklet if you are unsure.
- Signature: the person who signs the application must be the Chairperson or Treasurer of the organisation applying for a grant.
For grants under £20,000 you must then complete the sections about your proposal following the guidance.
For grants over £20,000 you must provide a brief supporting statement (no more than two A4 pages) describing:
- your organisation, its aims, its management procedures and its experience which qualifies it to take on this project;
- the need your project is attempting to meet and evidence of its importance, scale and urgency;
- what exactly you plan to do and how;
- how that will meet the aims of the grant programme under which you have applied. For example, if you apply under Building Positive Lives you will need to explain how your idea will help people in our priority groups to overcome barriers and move on in their lives; if you apply under Independence and Choice you will need to show how your idea will improve the quality and choice of services for our priority groups.
- how, if the programme requires it, you can demonstrate a level of user involvement in the design, planning, management and service delivery;
- how you will evaluate the project, i.e. measure its success, learn from your experience and where appropriate share the lessons with others;
- the timetable for the project;
- how, if appropriate, you would continue when a Northern Rock Foundation grant expires.
What you must send to us
- Your fully completed application form.
- A copy of your current year’s budget and most recent management accounts. Management accounts are the regular reports you produce, usually monthly or quarterly, to show your up-to-date income and expenditure in the current year.
- A signed copy of your most recent audited or independently examined accounts. If you do not have audited or independently examined accounts because you are a small organisation, a copy of your financial record book will suffice. If you do not have any of these because yours is a new organisation, tell us so in your accompanying letter.
- A copy of your governing document (constitution, rules, memorandum and articles of association etc.).
- An application budget showing the amount you are requesting from the Foundation, the overall cost if you are asking us to contribute to a project or to core activities, and information about applications to other funding sources. Please ensure your budget is correctly calculated and that the amount you are requesting can be justified by reference to the budget.
- For organisations seeking funding for staff salaries, a copy of the relevant job descriptions and person specifications.
- For charities awaiting registration with the Charity Commission, a copy of relevant correspondence confirming your application to register as a charity.
- If you are applying for over £20,000, your supporting statement.
Information should be accurate and comprehensive. If something essential is missing we will ask you to supply it and the processing of your application will be delayed.
You may also send a small sample of supporting or illustrative material that gives us a flavour of your organisation. Bear in mind that we will be unable to read large quantities of extra material so consider carefully what you enclose to make sure it is concise and helpful. We can only return originals if you enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
What should you do after you send your application?
Click here for a description of what happens after we receive your application, and how long it takes for us to make a decision. Please avoid telephoning us to enquire about progress. However do let us know by letter or e-mail if there are material changes to your proposal or if, for example, another funder has agreed to contribute.
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