What types of organisations can apply?

You can apply for a grant if you are a:

• constituted voluntary or community organisation
• registered charity
• not-for-profit company including community interest companies (CIC) where the majority of directors receive no payment from the company (there are additional notes for CICs below)

You need to be a:

• local or regional organisation only working in Wiltshire or Swindon or in the south/south west of England
• local branch of a national organisation with a local management committee based in Wiltshire or Swindon and your own bank account

Your organisation must have:

• an active voluntary management committee with at least three people who are not:
  • related to each other or in a long-term relationship
  • living at the same address

Your organisation needs the following financial arrangements and documents:

• a bank account with two signatories that are not related to each other
• less than 12 months running costs in unrestricted reserves. This means in your end of year financial accounts, Unrestricted reserves (not including Designated funds) must be less than your Expenditure
• financial records or accounts
• a recent bank statement
• a constitution
• a financial plan or budget showing this year's expected income, expenditure and reserves.
• a Safeguarding Policy and an Equal Opportunities Policy. Further guidance is available here

If you don't have any of the documents mentioned above please talk to us and we will help. New organisations who do not have the above in place may be able to apply through another charitable organisation.

Additional notes for CICs

If your group is a community interest company or not-for-profit company, you will need to have at least three Directors who are unrelated individuals AND the majority must be acting in an unpaid capacity i.e. not employed by or receiving payment from the company. CICs limited by shares are not eligible. Additionally, we would expect a CIC to have an asset lock.

What we do not fund:

• money to individuals or families
• activities which duplicate an existing service
• one-off or sponsored events
• the advancement of religion
• medical research and equipment
• animal welfare
• party political activities
• running costs for pre-schools

Who we don't fund:

• individuals
• schools
• statutory bodies such as city, county or parish councils or health institutions
• charities who operate nationally