How applications will be prioritised

The Trust is likely to receive many more proposals than we are able to fund so the following funding priorities have been agreed:

The Trust aims to support projects that will:

Make a positive difference to the lives of people who face significant disadvantage and have limited choices and opportunities, for example because they lack skills, have difficulty in accessing resources or face discrimination.

Some examples of people that have been supported in the past include women facing domestic violence, sex workers, victims of race crime, isolated older people and people with moderate to severe learning difficulties.

The Trust will prioritise organisations:

• with an annual turnover of less than £500,000;
• that have a relevant track record and experience.

The Trust will prioritise projects and activities:

• That are clearly targeted and can provide evidence of the disadvantage faced by their clients;
• That will reduce barriers and encourage social inclusion;
• That have a clear plan and demonstrate the difference that will be made;
• With clear local support and beneficiary involvement;
• That complement and enhance statutory provision.

These priorities will be subject to regular review. We are happy to consider requests to fund project costs, relevant core costs and associated training. However the Trust is unlikely to support equipment or capital costs. We usually make grants over one, two or three years, however, funding cannot continue indefinitely as we are keen to support a range of projects and organisations, including those which are new to us. Grants range from £500 to £45,000 over one year but the average grant awarded in 2008 was £6,000.

The Trust has a ‘fast track’ procedure for grants under £1,500. The same funding priorities apply to these grants but there are no deadlines and you will learn of the outcome of your application within one month from the day we receive it.