The Suffolk Foundation is committed to increasing the amount of charitable funding that is available and accessible to voluntary organisations and community groups throughout Suffolk.

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR GRANT MAKING

We are interested in grant applications that meet the following requirements:

• Grants should have an impact on a particular need or problem; groups should be able to demonstrate that any grant received will make a real difference to the people or community it intends to support.
• The application should state clearly how the project will support the people involved to meet the objectives set out above.
• Groups applying to the Foundation are expected to be clear about their objectives and must be able to demonstrate that the plans both for the long-term development and for the project for which they are applying are realistic and practical.
• Applicants need to be clear about how they intend to measure the effectiveness of the work supported by a grant from the Foundation.
• Wherever possible, the users of the service should be involved in developing the project as a whole.
• Central to the application should be an awareness of equal opportunities issues.

The Suffolk Foundation is willing to consider applications as part of a funding package where its money can have a significant impact on a project. The Foundation recognises the fact that its promise of funding can attract grants from other sources.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Any organisation or group established for charitable purposes can apply, provided there is a formal structure which will allow for monitoring of activity and feedback to the Foundation. The Foundation will consider applications from voluntary and community groups in Suffolk whose primary aim is to improve the quality of people’s lives.

WHAT WILL WE FUND?

The Suffolk Foundation seeks to fund a wide range of community issues and initiatives. These may include expenses such as capital costs, venue hire, equipment, promotional costs, start-up expenses and training for example. The Foundation welcomes the opportunity to discuss your project and proposal before you submit an application to us.

EXCLUSIONS:

• Projects not benefiting people living in Suffolk
• Individuals for their personal needs
• Direct replacement of statutory obligation and public funding
• General large appeals
• Medical research & equipment
• Statutory work in educational institutions
• Promotion of religious or political causes
• Sponsored events
• Fundraising events
• Retrospective grants
• Animal welfare
• Overseas travel or expeditions for individuals and groups.

PROJECT GRANTS Up to £2,000

• Grants are limited to one per organisation or group each year.
• An application form can be obtained from the Foundation’s offices or downloaded from our website.
• The Foundation welcomes the opportunity to discuss your application prior to you submitting it for assessment.
• As part of the assessment of the application, the organisation or group may be contacted by telephone or the assessor may wish to visit the applicant.
• The Suffolk Foundation seeks to achieve an equitable distribution of resources across the County.

The following information will help support your application:

• Completed application form
• Details of your governance arrangements, such as constitution or other governing document
• Your equal opportunities policy
• Child Protection / Vulnerable Persons Policy / CRB checks (if appropriate)
• Latest accounts or financial statement (including current bank statement)
• Latest annual report (if you have one)
• Copies of written estimates or catalogue pages if asking us to fund equipment or other capital costs
• A letter of support from an independent referee of local standing (e.g. Civil servant, local CVS, local community worker, teacher, professional of local standing in the community, etc)
• Any other material you consider relevant to support your application
  

The Foundation seeks to support genuinely good ideas that will make a real difference to the lives of local people. Should you have any concerns over providing the information required above, we ask that you contact us for practical advice and assistance.

HOW WILL WE PAY YOU?

Once you have been awarded a grant, The Suffolk Foundation will make the payment on receipt of the signed Terms and Conditions for Grant Awards which will be issued with the Grant Offer Letter.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The Suffolk Foundation is keen to establish a two-way relationship with funded groups as this is important to monitor progress. Groups funded will receive a monitoring form and possible visit by a member of the Foundation to evaluate the progress and the effectiveness of the grant. The Suffolk Foundation will ask for monies to be returned if, for any reason, the group is unable to use the grant effectively for its original, defined purpose - unless alternative conditions have been subsequently agreed. Grants must be used for their stated purpose within 1 year of approval.

Organisations in receipt of a grant are asked to provide reports, updates and newsletters. The Foundation also requests mention of the grant in annual reports, accounts and newsletters or any other appropriate publication or events. The Suffolk Foundation is keen to give active support to organisations where possible, and welcomes invitations to attend open days and Annual General Meetings.