Eligibility

1.Eligibility criteria

The criteria below apply to most of our grants. There may be additional criteria for some of the programmes we manage for other grant making bodies, in which case those additional criteria are shown as part of the criteria.

2.Who can apply?

  • Constituted voluntary, community and faith groups run for, and by local people (Note: individuals cannot apply)
  • Registered charities and groups with charitable purposes working in Calderdale (including Charitable Incorporated Organisations, IPS etc)
  • Community Interest Companies (CICs) who do not, and cannot, pay dividends (see below for further criteria for CiCs and Social Enterprises)
  • Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) whose Governance documents include a clear community benefit clause, open membership and an asset lock

We expect that the groups we fund will be those:

  • Whose governing body is partly voluntary (although out of pocket expenses may be paid)
  • Whose members do not receive any financial benefit
  • Whose income and assets are used for exclusively charitable purposes (and any remaining assets are transferred to a charitable organisation)
  • That do not pay any dividend or distribute any surplus to shareholders or members
  • Those whose Constitutions/Governing Documents contain a “Dissolution Clause/Asset Lock” which states that in the event of the Organisation closing, its assets will go to an organisation with similar community benefit aims
  • That groups governance set up meets the 7 principles

3. Additional criteria for Community Interest Companies (CiCs) and similar

We recognise that other kinds of organisation may also carry out activities which are charitable. This may include Community Interest Companies, Social Enterprises, and Companies limited by guarantee. 

This policy sets out the guidelines we will apply to organisations that do not fully meet the not-for-profit criteria above but do carry out activities which are charitable and have a clear public benefit.

We will only support such organisations where:

  1. There is demonstrable public benefit and clear protection against private benefit
  2. The organisation has a minimum of three directors, the majority of whom are not paid employees
  3. The salaries and benefits of any paid directors must be approved by a majority of non-executive directors and must be reasonable and proportionate to the work they do and the financial position of the organisation
  4. CICs must have an asset lock body with objectives which are both charitable and similar to the CIC

We are unlikely to award a grant of more than £5,000 to CICs or social enterprises which allow for payment to members of their governing body.

4. General Grants

General grants are available to:

  • new organisations wanting to set up
  • and/or wanting to pilot/trial new ideas and projects
  • develop new projects
  • continue existing projects (with clear development and additionality).

5. Funding priorities for all general grants

We will prioritise applications which will contribute to our strategic priorities, which are:

  • Homelessness and Housing
  • Poverty and Disadvantage
  • Community Cohesion.

Help to apply

The VSI Alliance can help your organisation prepare for application to a Community Foundation for Calderdale grant.  With access to a range of services available via a single point of contact, The VSI Alliance offers a free, holistic package of support to voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations to build their skills, capability, and capacity for continuous improvement.

The VSI Alliance is a partnership of six organisations, made up of the four providers and two commissioners of VCSE support, working together and sharing skills to benefit VCS groups working in Calderdale:

  • Voluntary & Community (VAC)
  • Forum
  • West Yorkshire Community Accounting Service (WYCAS)
  • Locality
  • West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB)
  • Calderdale Council

Through this single point of contact, VCSE groups working in Calderdale can access a range of support services and advice, for instance to do with governance, training, funding and finances, organisational development, volunteering, and communications.

The support services on offer will be further developed over time.

Access to the single point of contact is:

6. What we do not fund

  • General appeals
  • Retrospective applications (i.e. the funding of activities that have already taken place or the repayment of money that has already been spent)
  • Projects that would normally have been funded from statutory sources (e.g. Calderdale Council or Central Government)
  • Religious activities or projects that promote religion, although we may fund activities carried out by faith groups for wider community benefit
  • Political activities
  • Projects where the main beneficiaries are animals.

Documentation needed:

  • Constitution or set of rules/Governing Documents
  • Safeguarding policies (vulnerable adults/children) if appropriate
  • Equalities Policy
  • Copy of audited/inspected Accounts
  • Bank statements
  • Committee members contact list
  • If the organisation is a CiC or similar, we require a statement confirming that they meet the “Additional Criteria for Community Interest Companies (CiCs)”, see above item 3
  • Conditions of grant aid signed
  • PR protocol signed.

You can find information and advice on writing the above policies from the https://www.vsialliance.org.uk/