Halton Foundation

Please read the Essential Information before applying. 

Background Information: 

The Halton Foundation was launched in February 2016 and aims to forge links between local community groups who need help, with local businesses who may be able to provide it. The partnership is led by Halton Chamber of Commerce, Halton Borough Council and Halton and St Helen’s Voluntary and Community Action (VCA).  The Halton Foundation’s grant making arm is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside.  The Halton Foundation comprises a number of funds under its umbrella including dormant funds, the largest of which is the Knights House Charity, which was originally established in February 1875. 

What is the focus of the fund:  The Halton Foundation aims to support people across the borough of Halton who are in conditions of need, hardship or distress.  The fund will support voluntary and community groups that are working in the Halton area on a wide range of charitable projects. 

 

Voluntary and community groups need to be able to evidence the requirement for their project and show how it will reduce the need, hardship or distress of their beneficiaries.  The fund aims to support projects that are alleviating poverty, responding to a basic lack of provision and relieving emotional and physical suffering.

 

How much is available: The maximum grant available is £1,000.

Who can apply: Voluntary or community groups with a governing document, constitution or set of rules in the group’s name.

 

Which areas are covered: Beneficiaries must come fromtheHalton area

Any special criteria: The fund will not support core salaries or general running costs but will consider sessional worker costs and an element of full cost recovery as part of a specific project.

 

Examples of the sorts of projects that may be funded for groups:

• Activities for people with disabilities
• Foodbanks
• Self-help groups
• Luncheon clubs
• Projects to reduce social isolation for vulnerable groups
• Debt advice sessions
• Domestic violence project
• Mental health initiatives

 

The closing date is 5pm on Monday 13th of November 2023

 

How to apply?

Please visit the Community Foundation for Merseyside’s website - www.cfmerseyside.org.uk and complete an online application form. Once you have submitted the online application you will need to send the documents listed below. If you do not submit all the relevant documents within 7 days your application will be withdrawn.  You can now attach the documents to your online application, email them to applications@cflm.org.uk  or post them to the address below.  

 

Documents which need to be included with your application:

• A copy of your governing document or constitution
• A copy of your latest annual accounts or income/expenditure document
• A list of your Trustees/Management Committee
• A copy of a recent bank statement for your group
• A copy of your current Safeguarding Policy. All applicants must ensure that they hold relevant policies and procedures in place to undertake activities, such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and/or a health and safety policy, depending on proposed activity. If unsure about what you need please contact the Community Foundation for help (details below)
• NB: If you have received a grant from us in the last 12 months and have already submitted copies of the above documents, you do not need to send them in again. However, a bank statement is required with every application.

 

The following items cannot be supported via the fund:

• Statutory organisations or work that is their responsibility
• National organizations that cannot demonstrate local governance and control of local finances
• Private Businesses or Companies limited by shares
• Organisations with less than 3 unrelated Trustees/Directors/Management Committee Members
• Commercial ventures
• Purchase/maintenance of vehicles
• Activities that will have already taken place before we offer you a grant
• Politically connected or exclusively religious activities
• Projects for personal profit
• Organisations that are set up for the benefit of animals or plants: environmental groups that work with animals or the environment (such as city farms) are acceptable
• Groups comprising of just members of the same family
• Debts and other liabilities
• Reclaimable VAT
• Travel outside UK
• Gifts or projects exclusively for the purpose of entertaining – social events can be funded where there is a clear community benefit

What happens next?

All completed applications are assessed by Community Foundation staff to confirm eligibility. You may be contacted for more information after applying and a decision making panel will make recommendations based on the fund’s criteria and the budget available.

 

You should expect to hear the outcome of your application by mid-December.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Community Foundation for Merseyside

Third Floor, Stanley Building,

43 Hanover Street,

Liverpool, L1 3DN

T: 0330 4404900

Email: applications@cflm.email