Community Investment Fund | Bernicia Community

Bernicia Community Investment Funding

Bernicia has Community Investment Funding available this year to benefit our residents and the communities in which they live.

These guidance notes will assist you to complete the application and we advise you read these in full before starting your application.

Who can apply?

Residents of Bernicia
Community groups
Voluntary organisations
Charities
Partner agencies

This list is not exhaustive.

When can I apply?

The funding is available during the financial year from 1st April to 31st March.

What kind of projects might we fund?

All projects funded should fit within one or more of the following priority themes:

Health and wellbeing

Projects that help Bernicia tenants and communities to create environments that reduce social isolation, support healthy lifestyles and build links to support networks that help people live more independently.

Supporting communities

Projects that promote opportunities for people to play a positive role in their community. This may include projects that improve the environment of our estates and encourage pride in areas.

Employment, skills and training

Projects that help people to develop their skills and access training and support to get employment.

Financial wellbeing

Projects that promote routes to local services that offer impartial financial advice and help people to make informed financial decisions.

Previous projects have included:

Garden and environmental projects
Community clean up days
Employment support
Financial and budgeting support
Volunteering opportunities
Projects to engage and support young people

This list is not exhaustive.

What kind of projects will we not fund?

Any projects that require future maintenance by Bernicia or which have service charge implications
Projects which do not meet our commitment to equal opportunities
Projects which are not the responsibility of Bernicia
Projects which will not provide positive outcomes for residents and the community

How much can I bid for?

There is no minimum or maximum amount for which you can apply for
Only two successful applications will be awarded annually per estate/organisation/group. Additional applications will not be considered

How do I apply?

Refer to the guidance notes and privacy statement included prior to completion of your application
Complete the application form and include any supporting documents you think are relevant (for example, this could include photographs)
Submit your application to the customer engagement team either by email or post

Support is available if required.

Who will consider my grant application?

The customer engagement team will consider grants up to £300
The Community Investment Fund panel (made up of Bernicia tenants) will assess applications over £300
Please note that panel members are not permitted to make decisions on applications from their own estates
Submitting an application over £300 will result in the application being assessed by the investment panel. By submitting an application, you agree to your personal information provided on the application being shared with the panel

What will be considered when assessing my application?

Bernicia want to ensure that funding awards are used as effectively as possible. For all applications, the following criteria will be considered so please include this information in your submission:

Potential outcomes for residents
Potential outcomes for the wider community
Value for money
Environmental considerations
Any match funding that may support your application to demonstrate sustainability and longevity

Applications must include:

Who you are
What you are applying for
What the funding will be used for
A breakdown of your costs (if appropriate)
A copy of your constitution
A copy of your bank statement
Information about relevant insurance, Disclosure and Barring Service checks (if applicable)
What you aim to achieve
How it relates to one or more of our priority themes

Project details

Details of residents who will benefit and engagement with the project including the number of Bernicia residents
How the project will be sustainable after this funding is used
A budget breakdown including a minimum of two quotes where appropriate

During the application process

Further information may be required to enable a final decision to be made on your submission. This may temporarily delay the decision. It is important that you provide as much information about your funding request from the start.

What happens after my application has been considered?

If your application is successful, you will be notified and will either be awarded the funding in full or receive a partial award. At this stage you will be required to provide details of an appropriate bank account for the funds to be transferred
If your application is unsuccessful, you will be notified and informed of the reasons
Bernicia will assess the impact of all funding awards. This may occur after the project has ended or could involve a visit during the project or event. You may also be asked to provide an update on outcomes of your project/event

Funding terms and conditions

You will only use the funding for the purposes outlined in the application form
If the funding is not used for the purposes outlined, Bernicia may ask for the funding to be repaid if it has been used for other purposes
You must not use the funding to pay for any goods or services bought or ordered before the funding was approved
You must use the funding within three months of receipt unless alternative arrangements are agreed
If the funding is not spent, the money must be returned to Bernicia
Provide us with copies of receipts/proof of purchase. Bernicia may ask for this for up to 12 months following the award

Additional requirements

You must be willing to provide evidence of how the funding was spent by providing proof of purchase via receipt
If reasonable, we may request evidence such as photographs of events and personal statements of beneficiaries
You agree to allow Bernicia to use the project in any publicity you receive in relation to the funding and agree to Bernicia using the project in its own publicity (please refer to our privacy statement)
You will ensure all risk assessments where appropriate are undertaken and follow all health and safety guidelines
We may refuse future applications if you fail to comply with these terms and conditions

Bernicia Community Investment Funding Application

Contact details

Name(Required)

First Last

Organisation / Group Name(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City County Postcode

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Secondary contact details

Name(Required)

First Last

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City County Postcode

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

Bernicia priority themes

Confirm which of the four Bernicia priority themes your project supports. You can select more than one theme if your project is cross-cutting. It is important you refer to the guidance notes for priority descriptions.

Themes(Required)

Health and Wellbeing

Financial Wellbeing

Supporting Communities

Employment, Skills and Training

Organisation details

Is your organisation voluntary or not for profit?(Required)

Does your organisation hold current public liability insurance?(Required)

If yes, upload a copy with this application if applicable to the grant.

File

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Do you have a written constitution?(Required)

If yes, upload a copy with this application if applicable to the grant.

File

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Does your organisation hold current Disclosure and Barring Service checks for those involved with children and vulnerable adults? (if applicable to the grant)(Required)

If you do not have this information, please tell us a bit more about your group below:

Tell us more:(Required)

About your project

We would love to hear about the project/event. Don't forget to include the types of activities/services that you intend to provide.

Tell us more:(Required)

Project start and finish dates?(Required)

Who is the project aimed at and what difference will it make?(Required)

You should include details about who will benefit from the project and what the outcomes will be.

Tell us why the project is needed by the community and what involvment the community had/will have in the planning/design and delivery of the project.(Required)

You should include information about weather this was a suggestion from the community or if you are responding to a known issue in the community. Include any supporting information you may have for this project including any consultation you have carried out.

Please provide an estimate of the number of people the project will directly benefit(Required)

Including Bernicia and non-Bernicia residents.

Where is the project going to take place and how will the project be accessible?(Required)

This can include disability access, financial accessibility, transportation, language or literacy barriers, or childcare provision.

Project costs and sustainability

Total amount of funding you are applying for (£):(Required)

Please provide the total cost of funding you are applying for.

Please provide a full budget breakdown.(Required)

To support the information provide all relevant quotes where appropriate.

Is the total project cost more than the funding you are applying for?(Required)

Total cost (£):(Required)

If yes, what is the total project cost?

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