Community Benefit Fund

For the Trust to confirm: Which is current: applications all year, or two rounds a year? And this year's dates.

For the Trust to confirm: Where should completed forms be sent? The 2024 form gives a home address in Whithorn, which the website won't publish.

Who can apply

Your group can apply if it is:

• a community-led, not-for-profit group
• working in and involving people from the New Luce Community Council area (or, if based outside it, with a project that clearly benefits people in New Luce)
• with a bank account in the group's name that needs at least two signatures
• with a constitution or set of rules, dated and signed as adopted. If your group doesn't have one, a constituted voluntary organisation can support your application and provide its bank details, constitution and accounts
• able to provide your most recent accounts (or statement of income and expenditure) and a bank statement
• able to spend the grant within a year, or return what's left

What the fund can't support

• political organisations
• national organisations, unless it's a local branch with its own management and bank account
• individuals (except bursaries for members of community groups to go on training courses)
• companies that aim to make a profit
• projects that have already started, or events that have already happened
• applications made on behalf of another group
• building or land improvements, unless your group owns it or has a lease
• unspecified items such as contingency money

What it can fund

Any project or activity that brings some economic, educational, environmental, social or cultural benefit to people living in the community. Grants can build on what a group already does or start something new, for example:

• equipment for community groups
• minor repairs and improvements to buildings or land used by the community (with a copy of the lease if your group doesn't own it)
• community events, festivals and trips
• small practical activities, and activity-based environmental schemes
• training and educational courses, and bursaries for members of community groups
• the costs of joining networks and visiting other community projects

Projects should fit the Trust's purposes and the Community Action Plan, and one of the six priority themes agreed with the funders: community projects, job creation, community assets, communications infrastructure, reducing the cost of energy, tourism development.

Grants of up to 100% are possible, but groups are encouraged to ask for part of the cost and find the rest elsewhere. If your project costs more than £20,000, show how the rest will be funded.

How decisions are made

The Board of Directors decides, guided by the community's consultations and the Community Action Plan. For high-value projects, or where match funding is sought, there is further consultation to check the community supports them. The decision is final, and every grant is paid by cheque signed by two directors, to the group's own account.

How to apply

1. Read the guidelines. They explain each question on the form.
2. Get your supporting documents together: two quotes or estimates for each cost, your constitution, accounts and a bank statement, and any lease, permissions or landowner agreements.
3. Fill in the application form and sign it.
4. Send it to the Trust with your documents. You'll get an acknowledgement with a reference number.
5. The Board decides. You'll get a letter with the decision, and successful groups agree to the terms and conditions and send an end-of-project report.

Dates

• The 2017 guidelines say applications can be made all year and are considered within three months.
• In 2020 the Trust announced two rounds a year: 1 April to 18 May (decisions in June) and 1 October to 18 November (decisions in December).
• For an event, apply at least two months before it.

Forms and guidance

Source: Benefit Fund page; Application Guidelines (2017); Application Form (2024); news, 20 May and 5 October 2020.