The High Peak Community Fund is a grant aid scheme available to voluntary organisations and community groups. These should provide services, facilities and activities that improve the quality of life for the residents of the High Peak.
The key aim of the Fund is to assist in the development, promotion and co-ordination of sporting, artistic, cultural, community, environmental, educational and development initiatives within the Borough.
Applications to the grant scheme must reflect the strategic priorities of the council - these are:
Constituted voluntary/community (non profit-making) groups can apply for a grant from the Community Fund.
Advice and support can be given by the Council and or the High Peak CVS for groups who are not yet constituted. Please see contact details below.
Commercial organisations, and individuals will not be able to apply for a Community Fund grant.
Organisations can apply for both capital and revenue funding to help with the costs of running a particular project, to purchase equipment or improve facilities. These activities include organising cultural and recreational events, which are open to all relevant sectors of the community.
Applicants will need to demonstrate that their project is financially viable and sustainable. In all cases a project budget will be required with appropriate contingency planning arrangements.
Applications will only be considered if they provide a service for people living in the High Peak.
Grants will not normally be available for equipment already purchased, works already started, or activities and events that have already taken place.
Grant applications will normally be considered between £500-1500 although larger grants may be considered. Applicants are encouraged to apply for other sources of funding, therefore a minimum of 25% match funding will be required for any projects or activities.
Applicants will be encouraged to form funding partnerships with other funding bodies such as the National Lottery. Funding partners must be organisations approved by the Borough Council.
Donations, equipment loans or 'in kind' contributions, such as professional fees can be included in the overall cost of a project. The calculations for these must be clearly shown.
Applicants will need to provide evidence that they have made every effort to apply for other sources of funding.
Applicants will need to demonstrate how their application contributes towards plans for developing their organisation.
Applicants will need to provide evidence of their organisation's commitment to equal opportunities. This can include the production of an equal opportunities policy or statement or a detailed plan of how equal opportunities will be incorporated within a project or initiative.
Organisations that either have membership for young people under the age of 18, or vulnerable adults and or provide activities involving young people, should provide a copy of their Child Protection Policy or show how they are working to implement such a policy. Further help and advice on Child Protection can be obtained from Cultural Services, or High Peak CVS. (Contact details are at the bottom of this page).
All applications will be subject to the availability of funds and the criteria set at the time they are received.
High Peak Borough Council reserves the right to amend the criteria for the Community Fund at any time.
Applications will be assessed against the Fund's general criteria, as outlined in these guidance notes.
When assessing your application we will look at:
In the event of an application being rejected a letter will be sent to the applicant explaining the reason(s) for rejection.
All applications will need to demonstrate that their project provides value for money. This can be achieved by ensuring appropriate monitoring systems are in place such as satisfaction questionnaires and attendance registers.
Applicants will be required to complete a self-monitoring form upon the completion of a project. This will include a copy of the activities final accounts for the project or copies of purchase invoices.
The support of High Peak Borough Council should be acknowledged on any literature specific to the project, in press articles or at the premises. The Borough Council will provide copies of logos and if appropriate a plaque indicating the Council's contribution to the project.
If a grant is not fully utilised the Borough Council reserves the right to amend the grant awarded. Where the grant has been issued before a project is completed any surplus funds must be returned to the Borough Council.
The grant must be used for the purpose specified in the application. If not you will have to repay High Peak Borough Council immediately.
If you require any advice and/or assistance with your application please contact High Peak Borough Council by telephone on 0845 129 77 77 / 01298 28400 OR:
High Peak Council for voluntary Services on telephone: 01663 735350 or access their website: www.highpeakcvs.org.uk
If you require this information in either large print, Braille, audio format or another language please contact 0845 129 77 77.