Funding for community pantries, HSF
Grants available
The Isle of Wight Council Adult Social Care and Housing Needs Directorate invites applications for grants to seed fund new Community Pantry provisions and for top-up funding from the existing community pantry network.
The period of the grant shall cover expenditure form 1 April 2024 – 30 September 2024.
Community Pantry Guidance (Word, 43KB)
Who Can Apply to open a Community Pantry?
Applications can be made by any organisation including
- Town, Parish, and Community Councils
- education establishments
- Community Interest Companies
- charities
- registered community or voluntary organisations
- faith groups
What are we looking for?
We are able to fund applications that meet the following criteria
- to seed-fund a new community pantry in an area of deprivation where such a provision is not yet established, such as Shanklin, Northwood or rural areas
- top-up funding for existing community pantry provisions
Applicants looking to open new pantry provisions should be aware of the need to seek additional grant funding to assist sustainability.
Criteria
Applicants can request consideration of any spend that meets the identified criteria from 28 May 2024
Applicants will need to have considered wrap-around services provided from the Community Pantry, and sources of additional funding.
Applicants will need to have appropriate measures in place to ensure that the measures identified do not compromise the safety of the people accessing support throughout the project.
What expenditure is not covered by this grant?
The grant cannot be used for
- expenditure incurred prior to 1 April or after 30 September 2024
- applications for new provisions where an existing facility is already established
- ICT related purchases
- activities which do not support the primary purpose of the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund
- cash awards / bank transfers to residents
How to apply for funding
- Complete all sections of the Community Pantry application form together with any supporting documentation you wish to submit
- Download the Community Pantry application form (Word, 90KB)
- Make sure that the form is fully signed by the applicant using a scanned copy of your signature
- Return the application form in its original format along with signed guidance and any other supporting documents by email to hsf@iow.gov.uk
You MUST ensure that the email title reads: “APPLICATION FOR COMMUNITY PANTRY FUNDING – HOUSEHOLD SUPPORT FUND ” and also states the name of the person/organisation applying for the funding. Incomplete applications or those that have not followed the guidelines will be returned.
Application process and timescales
- Applications windows will be open
- 28 May – 3 June 2024
- 24 – 28 June 2024
- 22 – 26 July 2024
- 27 August – 2 September 2024
- All funding awarded must be spent within 6 months and evidence of that spend provided to the council – a reporting document will be provided.
- Any amount of the grant not spent or allocated by the end of the grant window must be returned to the council
- Panel meetings to consider applications will take place 1 week after the closure of the grant window. Applicants will need to ensure that forms are received within the application window for their application to be considered.
- Applicants will be contacted within one week of Panel meeting to inform them of the outcome. Some applicants may be asked to provide more detail or amend aspects of their project in order to meet the funding criteria.
- Successful applicants will be required to sign a Funding Agreement which outlines the terms and conditions of the grant. This will usually be within one week of the final decision
- Grants will be paid in full upon return of the signed of Funding Agreement
How will the applications be assessed?
Each application will be assessed on its own merit.
Each application will be acknowledged upon receipt, and then checked by a member of the Panel to ensure that it is complete, and suitable to be scored by the Grants Panel.
At this stage we may come back to the applicant(s) to request further information. If the application meets the basic requirements it will then be considered at the Grant Panel meeting.
If there are insufficient monies remaining in the fund to meet the applications submitted, grants will be awarded according to need; value for money and proposed impact.
The Panel reserves the right to consider reducing the value of awards offered in order to support a larger number of applications
Other Important Information
How payments will be made?
Payments will be made directly into the organisation’s bank account.
How projects will be monitored?
The Isle of Wight Council’s Adult Social care and Housing Needs directorate is committed to supporting the delivery of high quality experiences and outcomes for those we serve. To do this we will monitor the quality of the activities we fund, using a range of means which are appropriate to the individual projects.
Following award all successful applicants will need to
- evidence the expenditure and provide original receipts
- evidence the impact/outcomes achieved
- Submit quarterly returns as to the number and form of support provided, as required by the Department for Work and Pensions. These returns are due on 9 July 2024 (for the period 1st April – 30 June) and 10 October 2024 (for the period 1 April – 30 September) and will take the form of a completed spreadsheet detailing
- - How much will be used to provide direct support to households with children
- - How much will be used to provide direct support to households with pensioners
- - How much will be used to provide direct support to households with a Disabled person
- - How much will be used to provide direct support to other types of households, including individuals.
- - How much will be used directly to fund food and energy support, along with wider essentials.
- - How much will be used to fund advice linked to the scheme.
- - How much will be spent via vouchers, or tangible items.
- - How much will be spent via an application-process, or proactive support.
- - How much funding you have shared with Third Party Organisations to deliver on your behalf*
* deliverable through town, parish and community councils only.
The information must be completed as figures and not percentages.
For more information about the funding available, or if you have any queries or concerns about requirements contact Laura Hales, Household Support Fund Project Manager
Email: hsf@iow.gov.uk
If you represent an organisation interested in opening a community pantry on the Isle of Wight contact us by email hsf@iow.gov.uk or telephone 01983 821000.