I can think of no better way, effortlessly and with confidence, to support local good causes than through Norfolk Community Foundation.

Paul Morgan,
Philanthropist and Founder Benefactor

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who can apply?

Any organisation or group established for charitable purposes can apply, provided there is a formal structure (see points 18-19). In addition Parish and Town Councils can apply to most of our funds. Social enterprises/Community Investment Companies may also apply for most of our grants (except for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk’s Financial Assistance Scheme).

2. Can schools apply?

The only funds that accept applications from schools are the Norfolk Community Fund, Sheringham Shoal Fund, Luke Day Adventure Fund and the Mars in the Community Fund. Please check the Fund pages for details of the type of project that these funds can consider - generally funds are not available to support curriculum delivery.

3. What about projects taking place in schools?

Other than the funds mentioned in 2. above, our funds will not support organisations to carry out work in schools during the school day (for example a group looking for funding to run drama sessions in school).

After school activities will only be considered where they are run by an organisation other than the school and where the aim of the project is to work with the wider community (for example Scout or Guide groups hiring school premises for their activities).

Projects which involve improving school owned buildings or grounds will not normally be supported. If part of the building/grounds is formally leased to another group, for example to a pre-school, we may be able to consider an application. Please contact the Grants team to discuss this.

4. How do I apply?

For the majority of our funds you now need to apply online. You will also need to send various supporting documents in hard copy. The Application Pack page of our website provides a link to the online process. If you are applying to a particular fund, please make sure you look at the fund page on our website to see if there are any specific requirements.

5. I am unable to apply online. Is there an alternative?

Please telephone the Grants Team on 01603 623958 and explain the problem. We should be able to send you a paper copy of the application form.

6. I am unsure which fund to apply to.

If you do not indicate a preference for a particular fund the Grants Team will direct your application to the most appropriate fund.

7. We do not have all of the essential documents.

Please talk to the Grants Team if you need clarification about what is essential. You should not complete the online application unless you are able provide the supporting documentation.

8. What is the deadline for applications?

Deadlines for individual funds are publicised on the funds page of our website. We need a fully complete application (Part A) plus supporting documents (Part B) by the deadline. Please do not leave your application until the last minute before you need funding. We recommend applying at least three months before you need the money.

9. Can I apply to more than one fund for the same project?

In principle, yes. But please contact the Grants Team before submitting a second on line application for the same project.

10. How much can I apply for?

Each fund has its own grant limit which is publicised on the fund page. Many of our grant funds have an upper limit of £2,000 - £5,000.

11. Can I apply for more than one year’s funding?

No - our current programmes only offer grants for one year.

12. What costs can I apply for?

We seek to fund a wide range of community issues and initiatives. These may include capital purchases e.g. computers, equipment, maintenance or improvement of venues or revenue costs such as venue hire, promotional costs, start up expenses, activities or training.

13. Can I apply for core running costs?

Yes we will consider applications for core costs but are unlikely to fund repeat applications for broadly the same core costs for more than two consecutive years from the same fund.

14. Is there anything that won’t be considered?

The following are not normally considered:

· Projects benefiting people outside of Norfolk (except Bernard Matthews Fund, Lovewell Blake Fund, May Gurney Fund, Musker McIntyre Fund and MARS Fund – see website for details).

· Individuals for their personal needs (except Norfolk Sports and Cultural Foundation Fund and South Norfolk Council Community Sports Fund – see website).

· Retrospective grants – i.e. for work that has already taken place or costs that have already been incurred.

· Statutory organisations, except Parish and Town Councils (and schools in limited circumstances – see point 2 above)

· Direct replacement of statutory obligation and public funding.

· Organisations controlled by public sector bodies.

· The purchase of equipment that will become the property of a statutory body.

· Improvements to land or buildings owned by a statutory body (except parish/town councils).

· Improvements to land or buildings where the grant applicant does not have a legal interest in the land/building.

· Projects where the grant awards cannot be spent within 12 months *NB some funds may have shorter timescales.

· Medical Research & Equipment.

· Sports projects (unless there is strong evidence of disadvantage or clear evidence of the project widening participation – but see Norfolk Sports and Cultural Foundation and Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk FAS on the website). We would not expect to fund applications from groups wanting to attend sporting events such as the Olympics.

· Arts projects (unless there is strong evidence that the project is addressing disadvantage and that people are gaining new and useful life skills. We are very unlikely to fund professional performance fees.

· Environment projects (we would normally expect to see strong benefits for people – not just the environment - e.g. evidence of health/mental health benefits or improvements to employment prospects for volunteers.

· Promotion of religious or political causes or political lobbying.

· Commercial ventures.

· General appeals.

· Sponsorship.

· Animal Welfare unless the project benefits people e.g. disabled riding schemes (except for the MARS Fund – see website).

· Overseas travel or expeditions for individuals and groups (except for the Luke Day Adventure Fund).

· Organisations raising funds to redistribute to other causes.

· Projects that do not directly contribute to community activity e.g. notice boards, Christmas lights, bus shelters, war memorials, renovations to historic buildings of monuments, floral displays, benches or other street furniture or for any similar items.

The above list is not exhaustive. If in doubt please contact the Grants Team.

15. My project will cost well over £5,000. When should I apply?

Once we make an award, we expect work to start quickly. Consequently we do not generally consider an application towards a larger project until most of the funding is in place or there is a clear plan to secure it quickly. Contact the Grants Team if you are unsure whether you should apply yet.

16. I am finding the form difficult. Where can I get help?

You can contact the Grants Team for advice. Alternatively there are a range of organisations that may be able to work with you to develop an application, see our website

http://www.norfolkfoundation.com/advice-and-support.htm for details. These organisations can also help with essential policies.

17. Can I talk to a Grants Officer before I apply?

Yes we welcome the chance to discuss your plans. Please telephone the Grants Team on 01603 623958 or email grants@norfolkfoundation.com

18. What do you mean by a constitution?

You must have a constitution or set of rules to apply for our funding. This document will typically show what the aims of the group are, the group’s powers, who can be a member, how the management committee and officers are elected, the roles of the different officers of the group (e.g. Treasurer, Chair, Secretary), how frequently the management committee meets, the arrangements for an Annual General Meeting, how finances are managed and what happens to the group’s assets if it stops operating (a dissolution clause).

19. What do you mean by a management committee?
In order to be eligible for our grants a group must have a management committee in place with a minimum of 3 persons - typically taking the roles of Chair, treasurer and secretary. A minimum of 2 unrelated persons from the management committee should have responsibility for signing cheques from the group's account - this is a standard measure to reduce the risk of fraud, and a requirement of most funders.

20. Why do I need an Equal Opportunities Policy?

We expect our grants to benefit all of the people in your community who might want to use the services or activities you provide. For this reason we require applicants to provide us with a copy of your equal opportunities policy. The policy will show us that you treat all members and potential members fairly. It will set out how people get to be members of your group and gain access to the opportunities and services you offer and will contain a clear anti-discriminatory statement. If you employ staff or volunteers, equal opportunities will also cover the recruitment, selection, employment and training of these. We understand that certain projects are only relevant to specific types of people; for example a luncheon club may only be aimed at older people and not at all members of the community.

21. Do I need a Child Protection Policy?

We expect all groups working directly with children to have a policy outlining what steps the group will take to safeguard children while in their care.

22. What do you mean by a Vulnerable Person’s Policy?

A vulnerable person is anyone who, for whatever reason, is unable to protect themselves without support. This could include people who have mental health problems, the elderly, and people who have learning or physical disabilities. The policy will set out what specific steps the group will take to safeguard vulnerable people including training for volunteers, risk assessments, what procedures are to be followed in the event of suspicions of abuse of the vulnerable person.

23. Who should I choose as an independent referee?

This should be someone from the local community who knows your organisation and the work you do. They should not be associated with your organisation as a member, employee, volunteer, management committee member or a relation of any of the aforementioned by blood, marriage or civil partnership. A suitable person might be a local councillor or a member of your local Council for Voluntary Service.

24. What do you mean by ‘Free Reserves’?

By free reserves we mean any money that you hold that is not earmarked for a specific purpose. For example you may have £10,000 in a savings account which is intended to replace your central heating system in 3 months time. These funds would not be free reserves.

25. Do I need match funding when I apply?

While we welcome funding from other sources, this is not essential. We will consider funding all of the costs of your project. If you have significant free reserves we might reasonably expect some contribution from these.

26. What happens after I apply?

An initial check for completeness and eligibility will be carried out and you will be contacted to provide any missing documents. Later you may be contacted by a Grants Officer for further details about your project. It will then be presented to a panel for decision and you will be notified in writing. If your application is judged to be ineligible it will be rejected without reference to a panel.

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