Police and Crime Commissioner's Community Action Fund Grants

What types of organisations can apply?

You can apply for funding if you are a:

• constituted voluntary or community organisation or a
• registered charity or a
• not-for-profit company, including Community Interest Companies where: the majority of directors receive no payment from the company, it is limited by guarantee* and has a suitable asset lock clause

*If the CIC is limited by shares, please speak to us before applying.

Please note: Priority will be given to grassroots, small and medium sized, community groups, charities and not for profit companies based and operating locally. Larger local or regional charitable organisations can apply but are less likely to be successful if a high number of applications are received.

You also need to be a:

• a local organisation based and operating in Wiltshire &/or Swindon (this can include local branches of national organisations with your own management committee based in Wiltshire or Swindon and bank account).

or

• an organisation based outside Wiltshire/Swindon that meets the following:
  • applying for work in Wiltshire &/or Swindon
  • the majority of your other services are in counties neighbouring Wiltshire/Swindon
  • have worked collaboratively with local people to identify need and the best way to address issues
  • have a good understanding of other services in the area you propose to serve and not duplicating support already on offer

Your organisation must have:

• an active Voluntary Management Committee or Directors or Trustees of at least three people who are not:
  • related to each other or in a long-term relationship
  • living at the same address

• a constitution appropriate to the size and structure of the organisation
• a safeguarding policy in the name of the organisation, that is regularly reviewed and updated and with a named safeguarding lead
• an equalities policy in the name of the organisation

Safeguarding and equalities policies should reflect current legislation and the activities and scope of your organisation. Further guidance on safeguarding and equalities is available here

Your organisation needs the following financial arrangements and documents:

• a bank account in the name of the organisation with two signatories who are not related to each other
• an appropriate level of reserves for the size and nature of your organisation. We would expect your unrestricted reserves to represent less than 12 months running costs
• financial records or accounts showing income, expenditure and reserves for the most recent financial year
• a financial plan or budget showing this year's expected income, expenditure and reserves.
• a recent bank statement – we will need this to be able to pay you your grant if you are awarded

If you don't have some of the documents mentioned above, please talk to us for further advice. New organisations who do not have some of the above in place may be able to apply through another charitable organisation.

Please note: Priority will be given to grassroots, small and medium sized, community groups, charities and not for profit companies based and operating locally. Larger local or regional charitable organisations can apply but are less likely to be successful if a high number of applications are received. Nationally operating charities are not eligible to apply other than in exceptional circumstances where it is agreed they provide a highly targeted and specialised service, not available through an eligible organisation, that will address a significant unmet local need, in this case please contact us to discuss before applying.

What can I apply for and how much?

• Grants for 1 year from £750 to £5,000
• The maximum amount for capital costs is £5,000
• Grants can be used to continue an existing project or fund a new activity
• You must plan to start spending the grant within 6 months of the award date

What costs can the grant pay for?

Any reasonable costs for the community group or project including:

• Core or running costs
• Project and activity costs
• Capital costs (buildings and equipment)

Who must benefit from the grant?

Most of the people who benefit from the grant must

• live in Wiltshire or Swindon

• be unable to afford the services or support you are providing. You might find our report on need in Wiltshire and Swindon helpful. You can access it here.

What we do not fund:

• Money to individuals or families
• CCTV or Speed Indicator Devices, civilian ANPR cameras or any associated equipment or works
• General arts, sports or community activities that do not involve a targeted approach to addressing the programme priorities
• The advancement of religion
• Medical research or equipment
• Animal welfare
• Party political activities

Who we don't fund:

• individuals
• schools
• statutory bodies such as city, county or parish councils or health institutions
• charities that operate nationally (other than in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear unmet local need that cannot be addressed by other eligible organisations)

A copy of the questions on the application is available to view here along with guidance on completing the form.