Funding for Voluntary & Community Organisations

The Council's Vision

The council is committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Chester by reducing poverty and inequality, improving the physical environment, and reducing our use of resources.

The Voluntary and Community Sector in Chester provide invaluable services to residents and local communities supporting a wide range of social needs and activities helping to improve the quality of life for local people.

The grants awarded by the council to the Voluntary and Community Sector represent a significant investment in building the capacity of the sector and supporting their service delivery and provision of a wide range of community based activities.

We want to strengthen local communities and work in partnership with local people to achieve the aims of the council and of the Voluntary and Community organisations we work with.

Below are some examples of how you might demonstrate that your application links in to Chester City Council's Corporate Plan and the Community Plan for Chester.

Objective	Examples
Young People	Promotes the needs and aspirations of young people and provides integrated services/activities.
Citizenship	Promotes citizenship by young people.
Diversity	Promotes equal opportunities and diversity. Working with minority groups to support the integration of all residents and communities of Chester.
Rural	Improves access to services and activities for people living in rural areas.
Homelessness and Multiple Needs	Delivers preventative work with people who have a range of diverse needs and those at a disadvantage including black and ethnic minorities, refugee communities, homeless women and families.
Community Safety & Attractive Neighbourhoods	Develops sustainable Community Safety initiatives, helps to build up inclusive communities and community cohesion by preventing or reducing crime and disorder. Meets the needs and preferences of different groups of people e.g. women, ethnic minority communities, people with disabilities.
Quality Environment	Improves your local area e.g. creating wildlife areas, environmental enhancements. contributes to sustainable living e.g. recycling equipment and waste management etc.
An Accessible Chester	Integrates all sections of the community. Contributes to enhancing access to people with disabilities.
Economic Prosperity	Helps people on low incomes e.g. reduced charges, provides debt advice services. Targets specific groups to improve their economic activity.
Lively and Distinctive District and Community	Enhances the Arts and/or Cultural activities. Promotes Sports and Leisure provision for all.

Who can apply?

You can apply for a grant if :

• you are a voluntary or community organisation
• you have a bank or building society account with 2 signatories and a constitution
• you have proper accounting procedures and can provide evidence that your organisation is financially viable
• what you do is of direct benefit primarily to Chester residents

Who can't apply?

You can't apply if you are an individual or your organisation is involved in party political activities

You can't apply if you're a religious organisation if the activity or project meets the needs of one specific religious group only

How are applications judged?

We will look at a number of factors :

• how you have made use of Council grants if you have received them before
• how your group is set up and managed and what kind of training you provide for staff and volunteers (if applicable)
• your finances
• what need / demand there is for your project / activity
• who benefits
• whether you need financial help from the Council
• whether you demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to Diversity and Equal Opportunities principles
• how your project/activity contributes to the council's aims (as described in the Corporate Plan or Chester's Community Plan)

Assessment

Your application will be assessed by Council Officers. If you have received a grant before we will look at monitoring information, together with the information you have put on the application form.  If you have never had a grant from us, we may contact or visit you.

Strategic and Large Project grants need to be agreed by the Council Members.  If the application is for a 'Small Grant', Officers have delegated authority to agree these and you will be informed within 6 weeks of the closing date.

Decision

A decision will be made within 6 weeks of the closing date.  If you have been successful, the grant may be paid in instalments, or in one lump sum, according to the amount. 

If you are successful

You will be asked to sign and return a Grant acceptance form. The main conditions are as follows:

• to spend the money on the project or specific item it was given for, within the financial year
• to publicise grant aid from the council on any stationary or publicity material
• to fill in a monitoring form after six/twelve months or at the end of the project to show how the grant has been spent and provide a copy of your accounts and any relevant receipts / invoices where appropriate.
• to operate in accordance with the Council's Equal Opportunities Policy
• be responsible, where a grant is for salaries, for any redundancy payments for your employees

All other terms and conditions are laid out in the City Council's 'Standard Terms & Conditions for Grants' and you must abide by these.

General points

All decisions on applications are final and at the discretion of the Council Members, or delegated Panel.

The award is a one off amount, and there is no commitment to provide any further funding in future years.

If required we may need to seek further information to check your application and organisation.

All grant application forms are available for inspection by members of the public.

Information from application forms will be held on computer. You will be asked to sign the City Council's Data Protection Act waiver form.

For further information please telephone the Funding Compact Co-Ordinator on 01244 402196

or write to us at:

Funding Compact Co-Ordinator
Chester City Council
The Forum
Chester
CH1 2HS