Community Capacity Grant Application
The Community Capacity Grant funding application is closed.
Do you have an idea or vision for a new group, club or activity that helps to support families locally but need support to get this up and running?
Do you need financial support to set up a new activity that will support local families?
Grants of up to £5,000 are available. The grants are for providers who want to organise activities for families, parents, carers or young people up to the age of 19 (up to 25 with special education needs and disabilities).
You could use the grant for
- youth work including outreach sessions
- family-based groups
- mental health and wellbeing sessions
- outreach support and community-led groups
Applications closed at 12pm on 20 January 2025.
If you would like more information or help with your application join a support session.
In person at County Hall, Newport, PO30 1UD
- Saturday 11 January 2025 from 10.30am to 12noon
- Wednesday 15 January 2025 from 5.30pm to 7:00pm
Email earlyhelpgrant@iow.gov.uk or call 01983 823169 to book.
Who can apply?
- Voluntary, community and third sector organisations
- New organisations
- School provision but only if the provision is:
- inclusive and open to all children/young people on the Island
- out of school hours
- allows other children travel time to attend
- It will not be considered if the provision is only for children/young people that attend the school.
Important
Funding can only be given to new Early Help provisions on the Isle of Wight that have not yet started.
You will need to have the correct insurances, policies and DBS requirements, prior to receiving funds.
For this application process a 'Provision' means activity service or session.
Yes, the grant covers ages from 0 to19 years, or up to 25 years with SEND
Aim of the grants and eligibility criteria
The Early Help Community Capacity Grant aims to support local families by working with the community to help develop and promote community resources, spaces, and activities. The intention of the funding is to build community capacity to promote positive outcomes for Children, Young People, Families, Parents, and/or Carers on the Isle of Wight.
This Grant round seeks to address the following key priorities. You must be able to evidence all four of the criteria below:
- Promoting emotional resilience/ mental health and wellbeing
- Creating and developing sustainable provision
- Meeting an evidenced community need (taking a community led approach to provision)
- Value for money
What grants are available?
Grants of up to £5,000 are available. The grants are for providers who want to organise activities for families, parents, carers and/or young people up to the age of 19 years (up to 25 years with specified additional needs).
These provisions must support local families working within the community. They must help develop and promote community resources, spaces, and activities on the Isle of Wight.
Our main focus for this round of grants are
- Provisions for children aged 5 years and above
- Youth focussing on school transitional Years 6 to Year 7
- Youth outreach
- Family wellbeing sessions for all ages
Successful applicants will become part of the IOW Early Help network of provision. This will be endorsed and supported by the Isle of Wight Council. Successful applicants will also become a member and be expected to attend the Early Help Community Resource Forum.
Our vision is that Early Help is everyone’s responsibility. By implementing effective Early Help systems we can help to create competent and empowered communities and better outcomes for everyone within them. The Early Help System guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) outlines the national vision.
Helpful information for completing your application
When completing your application open and use the guidance at the same time. The guidance provide tips and useful information to help you complete your application in details.
The guidance has been designed to help you to get a high score. The higher your score the better chance you have of being awarded a grant. All scorings take place at panel.
Upfront costs
Any agreed upfront costs will be paid in one upfront payment and the remainder of the agreed amount will be paid in four quarterly instalments throughout the first year of delivery. The amounts will be dependent on your costings and how much you have applied for. This will be made clear to you in the grant agreement you will receive if you are successful.
Please evidence why you need the money to be received as an upfront payment instead of a quarterly payment within the application form.
Activities/Provisions should begin no later than 30 days after the upfront payment is received. (If you experience difficulties, or if unforeseen circumstances delay this process then you must contact us immediately). We will require receipt evidence for all purchase made using the upfront funding agreed.
Application process
- Application window closed: 20 January 2025
- Complete and submit your application
- If you need any information about your current application please email earlyhelpgrant@iow.gov.uk
- Closing date: 12pm (Midday) on 20 January 2025.
What happens next
- Panel Date: Panel assess your application. Panel will take place over two days at the end of January 2025
- Decision Date: You will be informed of the financial decisions. All decision emails will be sent out by 3 February 2025
- Successful applicants will receive a letter providing details on the acceptance deadlines and if you need to supply any additional information
- Contracts can be signed online for those who have been successful for funding before
- Any new providers, or those who have previously been successful who choose to sign face to face, must attend an appointment scheduled in County Hall. The appointments will take place on 13 February 2025 or 14 February 2025. A representative will discuss your contract with you, answer any questions you may have and issue a copy for signature
- A completed copy will be sent back to you electronically for your records
- Your grant agreement will outline what steps you need to take to receive your upfront payment if you requested this in your application form.
- Advertise your project
- Start your project before 01 April 2025. Failure to do so may result in reduced payments
- Attend Early Help forums quarterly as part of your signed agreement
- Continue to fulfil the requirements of the funding as outlined within your grant agreement
No, payments will be made on a quarterly basis released in arrears in four stages over the year.
What is expected from you
If you are successful and awarded a grant. You will need to provide monitoring information. This is to meet the Early Help grant agreement terms. Monitoring arrangements Include:
- spend data
- progress reports required quarterly
Important Information: We understand that new provision will not have these policies in place at point of application. It is mandatory that they are in place prior to provision starting. Policies needed:
- Safeguarding policy - The provider lead is expected to have level 3 safeguarding training. Links to all training are provided if the application is successful
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - This should be a Clear Enhanced DBS for all staff and volunteers
- Public Liability Insurance - Which Currently stands at 10 Million Pounds
- Employers Liability Insurance- Which is Currently 5 Million Pounds
You will also need to attend the Early Help Community forum quarterly. Learn more about the Early Help Community forum.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about community capacity grant funding
Yes, you can apply for some of the funding to be paid as capital (upfront) costings for equipment. However the majority of the funding must be for your provision and or activity to take place. Funds will be released in four quarterly payments in arrears. Please make sure you read the guidance which explains what can and cannot be bought with upfront payments.
It is released quarterly. Your payment quarters will be set out within your agreement. A quarterly report will need to be submitted by you at the end of each quarter. A template will be provided to you upon you being awarded funding. This will be approved by the Project Officer. The Administrator will advise you when you can then submit your invoice to the revenue team for processing. It can take up to 30 working days from receipt of your invoice to receive payment.
As long as you can provide a receipt/invoice for within the set guidelines specified in your contract. You can source the equipment from anywhere you would like. For example: Charity shops, local businesses. Please make sure you adhere to council guidelines about conflict of interest when buying goods.
Once your agreement has been signed and you have received confirmation that your purchaser order has been set up. Then you can buy any equipment needed that was agreed as part of your application.
No, the funding is designed to fund a full year. It is paid in four quarterly payments. The aspiration is for the provision to be sustainable and continue after the funding ends.