Grant aid

Voluntary organisations based in the borough of Hertsmere or operating for the benefit of residents in the borough can apply for grant aid.

The community grant scheme is now closed.

Hertsmere Borough Council offers small-scale financial support (maximum of £3,000) to local voluntary groups and organisations to help them in providing a range of community services to the residents of Hertsmere.

Our aim is to help a cross-section of the community and to consider each application fairly and openly.

Who can apply?

Any properly constituted group, club or organisation, which is based in, or operates for the benefit of the residents of Hertsmere.

• All applicants must have either charitable, voluntary or not-for-profit status.
• All applicants must have a bank account that requires at least two signatories.

Who cannot apply?

• Individuals.
• Profit-making organisations/groups.
• Statutory bodies/other public bodies.

What you can apply for?

• “One-off” capital grants for a specific project or purchase up to a maximum of £3,000.
• A capital grant can be given to help with a variety of things such us:
  • The purchase of equipment (e.g. computers, sport equipment, craft material etc.).
  • Upgrading existing facilities.
  • Training costs.
  • Production of marketing information.
  • Start up costs for new initiatives/projects.
  • Research costs.
  • Your organisation must identify a specific need, not requiring ongoing financial support from the council.
  • If your organisation has an annual surplus on a regular basis, but faces “one off” expenditure that it cannot finance from its own resources, a loan at a concessionary rate may be offered instead of a grant, provided all other criteria are met.
  • The application should be supported by estimates for the project where appropriate, or a price list for items of equipment.

What you cannot apply for?

You cannot apply for revenue expenditure that is ongoing year on year spending commitments. Examples include:

• Day to day running costs, e.g. rent costs, gas and electricity bills.
• Staff wages.
• Insurance costs.

Completing the application form

The notes below will help you fill in your application form so please read them carefully. Applications maybe rejected if incorrect information is supplied.

• Please complete ALL sections of the form - leave no parts blank.
•  Please avoid references to “see attached” as much as possible.
• Your organisation must, in making this application, be capable of demonstrating that it provides asocial or other service that is clearly beneficial to Hertsmere residents and matches one or more of the council’s objectives. Applications will be prioritised from those organisations who can clearly demonstrate this.
• When making your application, remember the council will only consider requests for specific sums. General appeals for funding towards your general running costs or situations where the council is left to determine the implied amount of the grant are not normally considered.
• If your latest accounts show that a surplus was made during the year (after discounting any previous grant) and there was also a balance in reserve at the start of the year, it is unlikely that a grant will be paid in full or even in part as insufficient need was demonstrated. If there is a reason for the carrying forward of funds, please explain the position in question 20.
• The latest full year accounts must be summarised in question 20. All accounts relating to the organisation must be disclosed, not just those relating to the specific purpose associated with your application. You must submit a copy of your organisation’s latest full year accounts. In the case of a new organisation, you must provide us with a business plan showing your projected costs and expected income for at least one year. No application will be considered without this information.

Conditions of grant

• Your organisation must acknowledge the support of Hertsmere Borough Council in its promotional material. It is important to let people know where the council’s grant aid is being spent and to encourage others to apply. You will be asked to forward to us any publicity and photographic evidence of the project/purchase where appropriate.
• The council reserves the right to attach special conditions to your grant. Any special conditions will be explained in your notification of grant letter.
• All successful applicants will be required to account for how the money has been spent, and provide copies of all relevant receipts and purchase orders.
• If you are applying to other funding organisations for match or part funding, the borough council may make any grant awarded conditional on the success of these other applications.
• Your organisation must use the grant aid within the same financial year. The council will usually claim back any grant not spent during the year for the purpose of which it was given. If the grant aid is ear marked for a particular project, permission must be given for the money to be transferred to the next financial year.
• Hertsmere Borough Council reserves the right to publish information relating to types and numbers of applications received along with names and the amounts awarded to successful applicants.

Why some requests are rejected?

If your request is rejected it will be for one of the following reasons:

• The application did not adequately address one or more of the council’s objectives (please see question 16).
• The application was for revenue funding.
• Insufficient need was demonstrated.
• Insufficient information was provided.
• The application was invalid, for example applicant is a profit-making organisation.

Remember to…

• Complete the application fully, leaving no parts blank.
• Make a photocopy of your application form before you send it back.
• Enclose a copy of your constitution or aims.
• Enclose a copy of your latest full year accounts or financial projection.
• No faxed or emailed forms will be accepted.

Where do I get an application form?

You can download the application form and guidance notes or call 020 8207 7801 and a form will be posted to you.

Where do I send the application form?

The completed application form and supporting documents should be sent to:

Grant aid 2011/2012
Hertsmere Borough Council
Civic Offices
Elstree Way
Borehamwood
Hertfordshire
WD6 1WA

For any further information or to find out more about previous grant aid awarded by the council, please call 020 8207 7801 or email corporate.support@hertsmere.gov.uk.