When applying for our Inclusion and Inspiration Grant Programmes, please bear in mind:

  • Priority will be given to applications that are client-led, show how their work meets funding priority aims, and/or how it inspires others.
  • As long as it is clearly demonstrated that it supports our Inclusion and Inspiration Grant Programmes, you can apply for a specific project or for a contribution to core running costs. We will fund core costs for eligible organisations to help them recover from the impact of Covid-19.
  • Social enterprises like CICs are not eligible for day to day core cost funding.
  • If it supports our inclusion and inspiration objectives, we’ll consider purchasing small items of equipment like furniture and computers. Requests for larger capital funding will be considered, but must be backed up by a robust business case.

 

See our eligibility criteria for more information.

 

What should I talk about in my application?

Applicants for the Inclusion Grant Programme should demonstrate how their work is client-led and how it meets funding priority aims.  You should identify three objectives related to the work set out in your application.  Then tell us how you will measure your progress and success in delivering the objectives.

What happens after my organisation has received a grant?

Successful applicants will need to provide an ‘end-of-grant monitoring report ’ explaining the impact of the funding within their local community, evidence progress against their grant objectives and a short project evaluation.

 

Guidance on SMART objectives

SMART stands for:

Specific You should state exactly what you intend to do with the grant.
Measurable Make sure it is possible to collect evidence of what is achieved with the grant.
Achievable Be realistic, and only set grant objectives that you are able to deliver.
Relevant Remember we are interested primarily in what difference our grant will make.
Timescaled For each grant objective tell us exactly when you hope to have achieved it.

Examples might include:

For a simple grant to purchase a mower for a cricket club:

  1. A mower will be bought and used on the club’s pitch by June 2021.

For a more complex grant to run youth sessions focused on promoting healthy living:

  1. 40 young people will take part between June and August 2021.
  2. 12 sessions will be held of 2 hours duration in Summer 2021 covering exercise, healthy eating, smoking, sexual health and drugs and alcohol.
  3. We will collect “before and after” evidence to see if participants attitudes to healthy living change and report our findings in September 2021.

Our advisors will review your grant objectives when we consider your application and may suggest changes to them if necessary.

The funding programme is closed.  A new programme will open for applications on 5th July 2021.

 

What Happens When You Apply

  • Once you’ve submitted your online application, you’ll be allocated a reference number.  Please quote this in all correspondence
  • Bernicia Foundation will send you a copy of your application
  • Our partners, Community Foundation will review all applications and might contact you to discuss your project
  • Bernicia Foundation trustees will then consider the applications.  We’ll usually email you within 10 weeks of the application closing date to let you know if you have been awarded a grant.

Our grant programmes are usually heavily oversubscribed and, however much we would like to, we aren’t able to fund all applications. This is not a reflection on the quality of an unsuccessful application, more a recognition of the need for our support in helping the people of the North East to achieve their potential, develop the skills and self-belief to thrive, and enjoy life to the full.

We are often asked for feedback as to why an application has not been awarded a grant.

Many applications are unsuccessful because:

  • they do not meet the eligibility criteria, particularly regarding the level of their reserves.
  • they do not qualify for core cost funding.
  • the applicant organisations do not have a well-established and broad governance structure.
  • a grant under the £5,000 minimum amount is requested but the application does not make a robust case for funding.
  • other applications more fully meet the objectives of the programme.

If you would like further information in respect of making your application please contact Kevin Haddrick from the Bernicia Foundation.

E: foundation@berniciafoundation.com

Alternatively we are also being supported by Nils Stronach, Head of Grant Practice and Programmes at the Community Foundation – a trusted advisor on giving, philanthropy and funding.

Nils can be contacted on

E: ns@communityfoundation.org.uk