Some changes to our grant making-policy

articleindex followChanges to the Community Foundation grant-making policyhttps://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CommF_GJmr-6250.jpgcenterhttps://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/CommF_GJmr-6250.jpgcentermodule_group modules Array 1

The Community Foundation has made a few changes to its rules on grant-making that applicants should be aware of when we re-open for applications on 20 January 2020.

First-time applicants to the Community Foundation will initially be limited to one grant. This is to ensure that such groups don’t take on too many grants until they have shown they can manage them. There is no time limit here, and the restriction will be lifted as soon as groups submit their first satisfactory monitoring information. In addition, we will no longer accept applications from groups that have not provided monitoring on a previous grant, or non-charitable social enterprises that do not provide a business plan.

We have clarified our position on funding to faith groups. This makes it clear that the only applications we would not consider are those whose primary purpose is the advancement of religion. As always, we will continue to welcome applications to support the invaluable work faith groups do in local communities.

Finally, the revised policy makes it clear that, to be eligible for an award, applicants must be able to show that safeguarding is a priority. This means both having adequate policies and procedures in place, and the commitment to ensure they are properly implemented. We know that a wide range of groups we have worked with for years, and think of as trusted partners, are struggling to invest time and effort on this requirement. We too had to check our safeguarding policies and procedures and make changes to our grant-making process. It is time consuming, but we all have to comply with the Charity Commission’s new guidance for funders and their partners, which rightly stresses the importance of protecting children and adults at risk. We’ve tried to help by providing guidance on our website, and hopefully there will soon be more support available to groups through local infrastructure organisations.

A copy of the policy and other information is available on our website at https://www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply/safeguarding/ 

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