THE DOWNDERRY AND SEATON COMMUNITY FUND APPLICATION GUIDELINES sent to Applicants

We ask that you read these Guidelines carefully as the application process requires you to supply supporting information that you must submit with the completed Application Form. All documentation should be sent by email info@dasra.co.uk. or by posting in the DaSRA Post Box sited on the rear of the Community Notice Board in the centre of Downderry, next to the Telephone Box.

Residents of Downderry and Seaton are donating to a fund that will protect and support community assets considered to be vital to the quality of life in these two Cornish villages. Donations into the Community Fund are managed by DaSRA, the Downderry and Seaton Residents Association, and its Management Committee is responsible for assessing and monitoring successful applications.

The initial motivation for the Community Fund, set up in 2016, was to raise funds to retain a full post office service, which continued for two years until it was replaced with a Post Office Outreach Service. A meeting of subscribers, held in 2018, voted to retain the surplus funds and to continue to build it into a “fighting fund”, providing resources to help protect key community assets of value to local residents.

The main focus of the Fund will be to safeguard threatened community assets, and as such, funding principles and criteria will depend on the individual circumstances arising from any potential threat to its impact on the community. Those involved in such a scenario should make direct contact with DaSRA before making any application for support.

The following guidelines applies to applications from local voluntary community groups requiring emergency funding or additional funding to support the activities of their organisation. In such cases, it is expected that DaSRA would give priority to those projects which have attracted alternative sources of funding but are still short of its final target.

All Applications must:

▪ Make a strong case for support

▪ Set put clear aims and objectives

Explain how the grant will benefit people who live in Downderry and Seaton

The Fund will support core costs/revenue costs, new or continuing projects, one-off initiatives, capital costs.

It is expected that Applicants will be locally based, but it may be that an organisation with a county or national presence plans to set up, or support, a project solely for the benefit of people living in Downderry and Seaton. The case for local engagement and benefit must be made.

How much can I apply for?

The Downderry and Seaton Community Fund is in its infancy and will continue to grow only through the generosity of local residents. The Fund’s main purpose is to resource necessary action to safeguard threatened community assets. Visit www.dasra.co.uk for identified local community assets. As we focus on building this “fighting” fun, we also want to support local groups who are actively strengthening and supporting our community with valued services.

Do contact DaSRA to discuss projects that require funding, particularly for what could be described as funding to resolve an unexpected emergency.

What will the Downderry and Seaton Community Fund NOT Support?

Projects that operate outside of Downderry and Seaton

Political or religious activities which are not for the public benefit of the local community

Statutory agencies including Parish Councils and Schools in the discharge of their statutory obligations

▪ Contributions towards General Appeals - our focus is on making things happen so, for such scenarios, a grant from The Downderry and Seaton Community Fund will be the final funder

▪ Retrospective Funding i.e. grants for activities which have already taken place

What information do you need to tell us?

We do not want the application process to be too onerous as we appreciate that those involved in community activities have many demands on their time. However, the funding to award grants comes from the generosity of local residents and DaSRA must ensure that grants awarded on their behalf will benefit local people.

In making your application please ensure that you include information that enables the Assessors to fairly judge your application. They will be looking to have answers for the following questions:

Evidence of need

▪ How do you know that this activity is necessary/desirable?

▪ Has the project been requested by users of your organisation?

▪ What research have you done and what information do you have that supports this view?

▪ How urgent is the need for this activity?

▪ What are the consequences if you do not secure funding?

▪ Evidence of lasting benefit

▪ Improve local resources/capacity

▪ Identifiable outcomes

▪ Potential to impact on quality of life for local people

▪ How will you publicise this service/ project to the community?

Value for money

▪ Please provide a breakdown of costs being requested (including salary rates, if applicable)

▪ Provide at least two quotations for equipment or construction/building works.

Include a Project budget/Business Plan as appropriate

We will not consider an application that does not specify an amount.

Please be realistic – funders expect to see that management and additional equipment costs, overheads and essential training have been taken into account. Do not forget to include VAT where applicable.

Management & Governance

▪ You must have a recognised governing document e.g. Constitution, Memorandum of Articles, outlining charitable objectives and containing a charitable dissolution clause.

▪ If you are working with vulnerable people we would expect you to have a Safeguarding Policy or Child Protection Policy – see below

You must demonstrate the capacity and knowledge to deliver your project

You must have a bank account in the organisation’s name with at least 2 out of 3 unrelated signatories

Essential Documents Checklist

The requested supporting documents are an important part of the application process and we are unable to assess your application until we have received all the necessary signed paperwork, including minutes of the Committee meeting where it was discussed to approach DaSRA for funding. After all, it is your Management Committee who will be responsible to ensure that any money granted is spent on the project detailed in your Application Form

Safeguarding Policy

Every organisation working with children or vulnerable adults has a duty to put in place safeguards to protect these client groups according to legislation with regard to beneficiaries, trustees, staff and volunteers. DaSRA would expect that all grant recipients understand and are aware of this duty and must, where relevant, have in place a safeguarding policy that is in line with current legislation and best practice, and procedures for dealing with issues of concern or abuse towards the prevention of risk. Best practice includes obtaining DBS checks and other relevant checks for appropriate trustees, staff and volunteers. We would expect to see a statement to this effect within all safeguarding documents.

What happens once I have submitted my Application Form?

All applications received by DaSRA are subject to a detailed assessment. A member of the DASRA Management Committee may contact the person named as the Contact to discuss your application.

The assessment and approval process can be time consuming but we endeavour to provide a decision within 4 - 8 weeks of the complete application. Obviously requests to address emergency needs will be given priority. Once the final decisions have been made both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be advised by letter to the Main Contact.

Under no circumstances may a grant be used for any other purpose than that identified in the Grants Award letter. Should you need to request a change of use to any award made, you MUST contact DaSRA at info@dasra.co.uk (details on www.dasra.co.uk) before committing any expenditure. Failure to do so may result in the award being withdrawn and the monies awarded being returned.

Monitoring and Evaluation

DaSRA uses the opportunity of its Annual General Meeting to report on the Community Fund to its donors and members of the Community. We will monitor the expenditure of grants awarded and look forward to highlighting the difference that the grants are making to local life. We therefore will send out a Monitoring Form with a Grants Awards letter, asking recipients to share with us, over time, the impact of receiving funding from the Downderry and Seaton Community Fund.

Community Fund.Grant Application Guidelines

20/10/20

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