Application guidance

• We are particularly interested in projects that demonstrate how they reach and will support communities where Bernicia tenants live.  See our Operating Area for details and our Geography for our current funding priority areas
• Priority will be given to applications that are client-led, show how their work meets funding priority aims, and/or how it inspires others.
• You can apply for a specific project or, for eligible organisations, a contribution to core running costs.
• Social enterprises like CICs are not eligible for core cost  funding or for project delivery costs.  
• Social enterprises like CICs are only eligible for charitable start up costs.
• If it supports our inclusion 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.
• Delivering sports activity or requesting funds for club refurbishments will not be considered a high priority for funding. Sports and arts applications should be able to demonstrate a strong community benefit against one of the key fund criteria.

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.

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.

An example might include:

To run youth sessions focused on promoting healthy living:

1. 40 young people will take part between June and August 2023.

2. 12 sessions will be held of 2 hours duration in Summer 2023 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 2023.

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