The Kensington & Chelsea Foundation have just opened their Community Spirit Small Grants Fund for applications.
About
The K+C Foundation is an independent charity working towards a vision of a borough where everyone can live happy, healthy and fulfilled lives. They identify and support impactful local projects that improve the lives and life chances of some of the most vulnerable members of the community.
Aims of the Community Spirit Small Grants Fund
This is a small grants fund to support events and activities that bring joy, hope and healing to our community. The majority of the beneficiaries of your project must be residents of Kensington and Chelsea.
The funding is for one-off and short-term events (not spanning more than 6 weeks and not part of your core, day-to-day work) such as cultural and celebration events, school holiday activities, workshops and sports tournaments. Activities can take place both in person and online, and you may include equipment costs related to your project in your budget.
The Foundation are particularly interested in applications for projects in the south of the borough and from grassroots organisations working with minoritised or excluded communities. In the likely event that the fund is oversubscribed, the panel will prioritise events that are new (i.e. not funded in previous years) and those that are in the south of the borough.
What funding is available?
The maximum grant available is £1,000. The amount you apply for must make up at least 25% of the total project cost.
Who can apply?
The Fund is open to local voluntary and community groups, faith groups, residents’ associations and CICs limited by guarantee. (If your group is not constituted i.e. does not have its own bank account, you must find a local constituted organisation which is willing to vouch for you and hold funds on your behalf).
In order for your application to be considered your organisation must:
1. Be based in Kensington and Chelsea and/or have an established reputation for working locally
2. Have the necessary insurances, safeguarding policies and DBS checks in place for staff and volunteers
3. Be up to date with all reporting requirements for previous K+C Foundation grants
Applications will be considered by a grants panel who will assess your proposal against the following criteria:
1. How well does the project address the aims of the fund?
2. How clear is the intended impact of the project and is there an evaluation plan?
3. How strong is your connection to Kensington and Chelsea? (Especially if your organisation is based outside of the borough)
4. How important is the Community Spirit funding to the success of the event?
There is no deadline and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, however you must apply at least 6 weeks before a project is due to start. Due to limited funds, this year organisations may only apply once in Year 4 of the Fund (Oct 24-Oct 25). Evaluations will be required 2 months after project completion.
What will not be funded?
Whilst wishing to be as flexible as possible, The K&C Foundation are unable to fund individuals, activities which are primarily religious in purpose, animal welfare, projects which have already happened, lobbying or political activities, legal costs or advocacy for individuals or groups, or work that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities.
If you have any questions, or would like to talk before applying, please contact [email protected] or call on 020 7229 5499.
The application form can be found here.