Trust for London Funding Guidelines

Transcription

1 Trust for London Funding Guidelines Published June 2012

2 Contents 1 About Trust for London 2 Introduction 4 Employment 6 Advice 8 Social Justice 10 Violence 11 Small Groups 12 Shortlisting criteria 14 How to apply 16 Non-priority areas 17 Complaints

3 About Trust for London Trust for London is the largest independent charitable foundation funding work which tackles poverty and inequality in the capital. We are particularly interested in work that develops new and imaginative ways of addressing the root causes of London s social problems, especially work which has the potential to influence and change policy, practice and public attitudes. We are willing to take risks by supporting unpopular causes and activities that government is unlikely to fund. We also want to make sure that we are able to respond to new issues and ideas and find creative ways of tackling deep-rooted problems relating to poverty and inequality. Annually we provide around 7 million in grants and at any one point we are supporting some 400 voluntary and community organisations. Established in 1891, we were formerly known as City Parochial Foundation. These funding guidelines provide information about us, what we will and will not fund, and how you can apply to us. 1

4 Introduction There are many ways that poverty and inequality can be addressed, though we do not have sufficient resources to support all needs. In developing our priorities, we have reviewed what others are doing, consulted people working in this field and considered where we can have the greatest impact. Much of our funding priorities builds on our previous work. Our focus is on four areas: Employment, Advice, Social Justice and Violence. We also have a specific programme for small groups. Each of the funding priorities are explained in detail on pages 4 to 11. How to apply Please read these funding guidelines in full before filling in our funding application form. Details of how you can apply are on pages 14 to 15. Our website includes a full list of recent grants we have made. If you want to keep up to date with our work, please sign up for our e-bulletin details are on our website. Non-priority areas You may find it useful at this stage to look at the areas of work we will not support or are unlikely to support on page 16. Funding available There is no minimum or maximum size of grant and the amount you request should be the amount you need. However, the average grant (not including funding we award under our small groups priority) will be around 75,000 in total, although a number of grants will be for a lesser amount, while some will be for more. The amounts may be spread over one, two or three years. For example, if you are awarded a grant of 75,000, this could be 25,000 over three years, or 40,000 in the first year and 35,000 in the second. We will not normally make grants that exceed 100,000. You may therefore need to apply to other funders to fund your proposed work jointly with us and we encourage you to do this, as we cannot always provide the total costs that you require. 2 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

5 Grants made under our small groups priority will not normally exceed 30,000 with an average grant being 20,000 in total, although many grants will be less than this. You may apply over one, two or three years. We support long-term strategies for dealing with poverty and inequality. Therefore organisations that have received funding may return for support for work which is particularly effective and continues to meet our criteria and priorities. However, you should not assume we will award further funding and should also apply to other funders. If you wish to apply again for the same or different work, you should contact your relevant officer at least eight months before your current funding expires. Generally we do not provide more than one grant at a time. Who and what we will fund We fund voluntary and community organisations undertaking charitable activities. You do not need to be a registered charity. We will support work which meets our areas of work as outlined on pages 4 to 11. This may be for a specific project or on-going costs. This includes staff salaries and overheads. We encourage organisations to include a reasonable amount of core costs to cover their overheads when they apply for funding. The majority of our funding is for revenue costs, though we can also fund small capital items. The purpose of our funding is to benefit people who are living in poverty. This includes work to increase their income as well as addressing other issues that may affect them such as inequality, discrimination or violence. We will fund work that benefits a large number of people living in poverty e.g. a campaign to make housing more affordable in London; as well as specific issues affecting smaller numbers e.g. work to prevent female genital mutilation. Innovation/Exceptional need We may occasionally fund work to tackle poverty and inequality which falls outside our priorities. Organisations will need to demonstrate clearly how the work is exceptional or how your organisation is developing genuinely innovative approaches to address these issues; or that an exceptional need has arisen. You will need to speak to us if you wish to apply under this heading. Generally we will only make a few grants under this category each year. 3

6 Employment Paid work is critical to tackling poverty. Whilst the clearest benefits are financial, 1 work is also important in improving people s confidence, self-worth, health and increasing independence. The Government through Job Centre Plus and the Work Programme is providing considerable funding to support people into employment and our resources are limited in comparison. Our emphasis is therefore on activities which Government and mainstream training and employment funders will not or are unlikely to support, including developing new and innovative ideas to help people into work and remain employed. However, work is not always a solution to addressing poverty and often employment services are moving people from workless poor to working poor. Many jobs are low-paid and over one million Londoners live in low-income households where at least one adult is working. These jobs are sometimes insecure, unrewarding and fail to act as a stepping stone into a future career. We are keen to address these issues. 4 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

7 Trust for London s Open Programme What we will fund Projects developing new models of supporting people into work and improving job retention. We will only fund work testing new ideas or adapting creative models, including those from other countries, which have significant potential for influencing policy and practice. Progression routes out of low-paid work. This could include advice, training and support to help low-paid workers into better-paid, sustainable employment which offers a career path. Research on employment-related issues including that which provides greater insights into what helps people secure and retain employment; enables career progression for those in low paid work; and how more jobs can be created in the capital. Policy change and campaigning work on issues such as: Improving access to apprenticeships, paid internships and work placements. Improving pay, conditions and rights for those on low incomes, including promoting the London Living Wage, flexible working and addressing exploitative employment practices. Highlighting London-specific challenges such as the high cost of childcare and issues relating to the labour market. Promoting good employment practice, including changing attitudes. Improving the capacity and skills of voluntary and community organisations working on employment-related issues. This means we will fund organisations to support other groups to improve their practice, share knowledge and influence. 5

8 Advice Access to rights, entitlements and justice is not always equal. Sometimes the processes and systems are complex and difficult to understand, particularly for those who are the poorest and most vulnerable in society. In these situations, relevant and timely advice and legal representation is vital in upholding their rights and ensuring there is fair treatment. We will fund direct advice work and representation in areas which are particularly underfunded and which we have previously supported. This work includes good quality early advice for cases that merit support, preventing problems becoming more serious, complex and costly. We are particularly interested in supporting legal advice work which has the potential to have wider impact on the lives of disadvantaged Londoners. Organisations we support should have an understanding of what causes demand for advice and should aim to address these causes, reducing waste and tackling demand at source. They should also support and empower clients to resolve problems and take more control over their lives. We are particularly interested in innovative approaches to dealing with these issues. We are also interested in improving the quality, accessibility and provision of advice; and in the co-ordination of services so that limited resources are used efficiently and effectively. 6 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

9 Aims of the Programme What we will fund Employment legal advice including casework and representation, which protects workers rights and tackles issues of discrimination. We will fund tribunal work and the enforcement of tribunal awards. Immigration legal advice. This can be either immigration advice at a specialist level (advocacy and representation); or advice work relating to a specialist issue e.g. for those seeking asylum because they are being persecuted as a result of their sexuality. Policy and campaigning work to improve access to advice services. Research to improve the evidence base on the value of advice. Developing new models of funding advice work including charging for services and securing funds from new sources. Co-ordinating the delivery of advice services at a local and regional level to improve the delivery of services and meet needs more effectively. Improving the capacity and skills of voluntary and community organisations working in the advice sector particularly in relation to the quality, accessibility and provision of advice. This means we will fund organisations to support other groups to improve their practice, share knowledge and influence. 7

10 Social Justice Voluntary and community organisations have a long tradition of advocating for social change, leading to many significant improvements to people s lives as a result of shifts in policy and practice. However, we recognise there are limited funds for this work, especially given the focus in recent years on increasing the voluntary sector s role in delivering services. Whilst services are crucially important in alleviating poverty, we believe it is also important to undertake campaigning work to influence government, other policy-makers, the media and the general public, if we are to tackle the root causes of poverty and inequality. We anticipate major changes to policies over the next few years, and these are likely to have a significant impact on those living in poverty. We therefore want to encourage and resource voluntary and community organisations to share their knowledge and expertise with policy-makers and others, so that the design and implementation of these changes bring real and significant improvements to the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged Londoners. This includes work to influence public attitudes, establish an evidence-base, as well as enhancing skills in campaigning and lobbying to bring about improvements. We are also interested in funding work that supports the voice of London s disadvantaged and excluded communities, as well as collaborative work to bring together grassroots groups with think-tanks and/or established organisations, to campaign on any of the priority issues listed below. 8 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

11 We will fund Policy change and campaigning work on the following issues: Reducing poverty on issues such as welfare benefits, pay, debt and pensions. We are particularly interested in work targeting single workingage adults, children and families living in poverty. Reducing income inequality through work that highlights the gap between rich and poor, and practical work to promote a better sharing of wealth such as Fairness Commissions. Improving housing work to address systemic problems in the availability, accessibility and affordability of decent housing for low-income Londoners. We are also interested in piloting and sharing examples of good local practice. Promoting environmental justice on issues such as the built environment and pollution in poor areas and the impact climate change could have on London s poorest communities. Promoting equality and civil rights specifically where people are experiencing multiple discrimination and disadvantage due to their race, gender, disability, class, sexuality, faith or age in addition to their low income. We are also interested in work related to refugees, asylum seekers and migrants, including those who are undocumented. Improving the capacity and skills of voluntary and community organisations that are undertaking campaigning work. This includes their advocacy, research and evaluation skills. This means we will fund organisations to support other groups to improve their practice, share knowledge and influence. Pilot projects to build the capacity of service delivery organisations to use their evidence to campaign for policy change. Research which provides greater insights into poverty and inequality issues, with a specific emphasis on identifying solutions. 9

12 Violence Whilst people from all social classes and income groups can be affected by violence, our focus is on supporting those who have limited financial resources. This can often mean that they continue to live in violent situations or take longer to find appropriate help. This work builds on our recent experience of funding a number of special initiatives including work with young people to address knife crime and preventing racist violence; piloting new models of providing specialist advocacy support to victims/ survivors of domestic violence; and work on specific harmful practices which are sometimes linked to culture or tradition. We recognise the need to fund work that highlights good practice, provides specialist support as well as prevention work. We will fund work that addresses Conflict resolution to pilot and adapt new models of conflict resolution work with young people. Our focus is on enhancing their skills in dealing with a range of conflict in their lives. Disability hate crime prevention work and projects supporting victims/survivors of disability hate crime. Harmful practices prevention work and support to victims of harmful practices such as forced marriage, female genital mutilation and honour based violence. And Policy and campaigning work to improve the quality, accessibility and provision of support to victims/survivors of gender-based violence and victims of hate crime, including homophobia and racism. 10 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

13 Small Groups We have a strong tradition of supporting small community groups as we believe they are often well-placed to identify needs and find potential solutions. We are therefore keen to fund small community groups that have an emphasis on user involvement and self-help. We will fund activities that tackle poverty and inequality in London by empowering people to advocate for themselves and which build stronger communities. We define small groups as those that have an annual income of under 75,000. We will fund Speaking out and campaigning activities specifically work that empowers groups of people to speak out for themselves and to campaign for positive change. This could include improving access to services; increasing influence on local decision-makers; or changing policies which affect the quality of people s lives. Advice and information work that supports disadvantaged communities to access mainstream services and/or provides solutions to their immediate needs. This work should provide good quality early advice, preventing problems becoming more serious, complex and costly; and should support and empower clients to resolve problems and take more control over their lives. Practical activities to improve local neighbourhoods we will fund small-scale activities which bring different groups of people together to enhance their environment. This could include improving local green spaces; play areas; or road safety. We would encourage small groups to apply under this funding priority, although you may also be eligible to apply under the other priorities if you have the skills, experience and capacity to undertake the work we wish to fund. 11

14 Shortlisting criteria We receive many more applications than we are able to fund. When assessing applications we give additional weight to work (for which funding is being sought) that can demonstrate the following: 1 The potential to have significant influence including an impact on policy. 2 Develops new and/or imaginative ways of tackling an issue. 3 Finds it difficult to get support because the issue is perceived as being challenging or risky. 4 Shares best practice and learning with others and the organisation has a clear strategy for this. 5 Targets people and geographical areas most severely affected by poverty and discrimination this may include pockets of poverty within relatively well-off areas. 6 Strong user involvement at all levels. 7 Is accessible and targets those who are the hardest to reach. 8 Skills, experience and ability within the organisation to undertake the proposed work and the work is of a high quality (this may include holding relevant quality marks). You do not need to meet all of the criteria but we will shortlist organisations which meet a number of them. 12 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

15 In addition, we primarily support small to medium-sized organisations, usually with an expenditure of less than 1 million. Larger organisations can apply but they will need to meet a significant number of the eight points listed above. We will assess your application against our funding priorities and shortlisting criteria. At the same time we will look at what other applications have been received and what we have funded recently. Applications for types of work, in geographical areas, or particular communities/beneficiaries, where we have already provided significant funds will be a lower priority. Please look at our website for details of recent grants we have made. We receive a large number of applications. Many organisations will meet our priorities and we will not be able to fund all of them. Unfortunately, we have to make difficult choices and will therefore have to reject a number of good applications. Just because you are not shortlisted does not necessarily mean that we do not think you are doing good and valuable work. 13

16 How to apply 1. Read the funding guidelines Please read these funding guidelines carefully to check whether your proposed work fits our priorities. Please check on our website to see if you are reading the latest version of our guidelines. 2. Any questions? If, after reading these funding guidelines, you are in doubt as to whether your work fits then please telephone us so that we can discuss it. We welcome such telephone calls as it can save you and us time and resources. If you have any specific questions relating to the application form, please read our guidance notes first before contacting us. 3. Download the funding application form and guidance notes To apply to us you need to complete our funding application form. Please read the accompanying guidance notes carefully. They will explain what information we are seeking in each question and help you to complete the application form. Additional guidance can also be found in our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section on our website. 4. Submit your completed application form You will need to print and send your completed application form and accompanying documents to: Trust for London, 6 Middle Street, London, EC1A 7PH. We do not accept application forms by or fax. When we receive your application form we will send you an acknowledgement within five working days. This will be by (if you have provided us with an address). 5. Closing dates We have three closing dates for applications. They are: 4 February for the June Grants Committee. 28 May for the October Grants Committee. 8 October for the February Grants Committee. Applications must be received by 5pm on the closing date. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered until the next closing date. 14 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

17 6. Shortlisting Once a closing date has passed, we will read and consider all the applications we have received. On some occasions we may contact you for further clarification regarding your proposed work. We aim to contact you within six weeks of the relevant closing date to let you know whether you have been rejected or shortlisted. Please avoid contacting us during this period to find out about your application as this takes up our time and resources. If you are unsuccessful we will give you feedback. However, please understand our funding decisions are final. 7. Visits All shortlisted organisations will be visited by one of our grants staff. This will normally be at the place where you deliver your activities, but on occasion we may ask you to come to our offices. We normally ask to meet with the main person who will be involved in the proposed work, the co-ordinator/chief executive of the organisation and a relevant trustee/management committee member. At the visit we will discuss your application in more detail and how we will proceed. However, it is important to remember that not all organisations that we visit will receive funding. We take forward more applications than funding available can support. This is to ensure that we are funding the best work put forward to us. 8. Grants Committee If we agree to proceed to the next stage, your application will be presented to our Grants Committee which will then make the final decision about your request. We will ring you with the outcome soon after the meeting. This will be confirmed in writing generally within ten working days of the meeting. If you are successful in securing funding, the whole process will take no more than five months from our closing date. 15

18 Non-priority areas We have limited funding available to distribute and we therefore cannot fund some very good work. Below are some areas of work we will not support or are unlikely to support. We will not support applications Which do not benefit Londoners. That directly replace or subsidise statutory funding (including contracts). That are the primary responsibility of statutory funders such as local and central government and health authorities. From individuals, or which are for the benefit of one individual. From organisations which have fewer than three individuals on their governing body e.g. trustee board/management committee. We would normally expect more than three on the governing body. For mainstream educational activity including schools. For the promotion of religion. From organisations seeking to distribute grants on our behalf. For work that has already happened. For general appeals. For large capital appeals (including buildings and minibuses). From applicants who have been rejected by us in the last 12 months. We are unlikely to support applications Where organisations have significant unrestricted reserves (including those that are designated). Generally up to six months expenditure is acceptable. Where organisations are in serious financial deficit. From large national charities which enjoy widespread support. For work that takes place in schools during school hours. 16 Trust for London Funding Guidelines

19 Complaints If you have any complaints about how we have handled your application, you should in the first instance contact the member of staff who has been dealing with your organisation. If you are still not satisfied you should write to our Chief Executive who is responsible for the management of the Trust. If the complaint is regarding our Chief Executive, you should write to the Chair of our Trustees. However, please note that you cannot appeal any decision made by our Trustees about whether or not we fund your organisation. 17

20 6 Middle Street London EC1A 7PH t e info@trustforlondon.org.uk Charity Registration Number: