It is important you have all the information and documents to hand before you start filling in the application form; you will not be able to save the form and come back to it, so we advise you prepare your information before you start completing the form.

If you find it easier you can draft your answers on a word document and then copy and paste the responses into the online application form.

The application form consists of 9 pages, the first page is a guidance page with links to the relevant webpage guidance. Below are the other headings for the other 8 pages and details of the questions.

Documents to be uploaded

You will not be able to proceed with your application until you have uploaded the documents detailed below.

  • A copy of your governing document e.g. constitution / terms of reference / memorandum of articles.
  • Copy of your latest audited or independently examined accounts or twelve-month income and expenditure statement.
  • Two most recent bank statements from ALL accounts.
  • Provide project management document including financials. If part of a phased project, please indicate which phase is being applied for.
  • Evidence of security of tenure and landlord landlord’s permission
  • Provide Planning Permission and /or Building Regulations approval (if your project has reached the point where these are required, these must be submitted with your application)
  • Working with children / adults at risk safeguarding policy or policies (if your project involves working with children and / or adults at risk).
  • Equality & Diversity Policy.
  • Health and Safety Policy (if you employ five or more staff).

Plus either:

  • Comparative quotations for building works: services; fittings from at least 2 suppliers (projects up to £7500) or 3 suppliers (projects over £7500).
  • One quote is sufficient for suppliers of specialists building works: services and fittings. Please contact us to discuss if quotes are difficult to obtain
  • Alternatively, where projects have gone through a tender process the relevant part of the tender that relates to the application is provided

Guidance on uploading documents to our online forms

 Applicant Details

  • Name of contact for the Application
  • Position in Organisation
  • Phone number
  • Email address

Organisation Details

  • Name of the Organisation
  • Type of Organisation (pick from the list or describe if 'other')
  • Registered Charity Number if applicable
  • Details of website and/or social media sites (Max length 250 characters)
  • Main aim of the Organisation as stated in your governing document (Max length 500 characters)
  • Number of staff, volunteers, beneficiaries / service users accessing services
  • Number of non-Charnwood residents accessing Services
  • Brief summary of the Services normally delivered by your organisation and what the main objectives are  (Max length 500 characters). Please include:
    • The types of service users you support
    • If your Organisation supports people from a specific ward / area in Charnwood
    • What specific issues you aim to address through your services

Sustainable Development

  • Please provide evidence where your project balances economic, social and environmental needs.
  • Charnwood has set a target to be a carbon neutral authority by 2030 and has committed to include climate change as a consideration in all decision making.
  • How does or could your facility project help improve sustainable development and reduce the impact of climate change in the following ways.
    • Provide improved local amenities and facilities for local people
    • Reuse or conserve existing buildings or make external enhancements
    • Minimise the use of energy, water and other natural resources
    • Use and or encourage the use of renewable energy and materials
    • Encourage waste reduction, recycling, composting and the use of recycled materials
    • Links to local supply, production and services
    • Preserve and help enhance local heritage, landscaping quality and local diversity
    • Preserve the quality of open spaces and wildlife areas
    • Supports the Councils local travel and transport plans

Your Project

  • Project Name
  • Amount of grant being requested
  • Describe your project and explain how it meets the aims and objectives of your organisation (Max length 500 characters).  Please refer to the Sustainability Checklist to help with your response and see our most recent guidance notes for further information.
  • Describe the benefits, to the organisation and users, of the proposed improvements to your facility. (Max length 500 characters) e.g., the expected impact on the lives of the users and additional income from room hire etc
  • How many new people are expected to benefit from the project?
  • Who will deliver the project? e.g., staff, volunteers, facilitator and their qualifications if applicable. (Max length 250 characters)
  • Where will the project take place? location i.e. Address / building type / indoors or outside etc. (Max length 500 characters)
  • Which wards/areas in Charnwood will the project support the residents of (tick list). View the ward map.
  • Please explain how your building will be available for use a by a wider community, benefit and need.

e.g. increase uptake of services, activities, and venue hire by the general public, charities, voluntary and community organisations and other support agencies (Max length 500 characters)

  • How is your project different from other similar provision? i.e., what is your Unique Selling Point. (Max length 500 characters)
  • Details of any organisations you are working in partnership with on this project. (Max length 250 characters)
  • Explain how you have identified the need(s) for your project, including: Consultation with beneficiaries / stakeholders i.e., how you have identified demand (Max length 500 characters)

The Council have identified key priorities and aims set out in the Council’s Corporate Plan. Applications should fulfil at least one of these aims:

  • Homes and Communities
  • Environment and Climate Change
  • Economy and Growth

Our corporate strategy

Financial Information

A) Project Costs - Here you add the costs for the whole project including a brief description of each cost.  Please ensure you break down the costs by type and provide details, you can add as many as you need to.  E.g. wage/salary costs should include a detailed breakdown by roles.  (Max length 250 characters per cost description).

B) Project Income - Here you add the anticipated income for the whole project if the is any; including contributions from reserves, and potential / confirmed grant funding from other sources, you can add as many as you need to. (Max length 250 characters per income description)

Note: the form will automatically add in the Community grant figure you are applying for to the anticipated total Income and check the Total Income equals the Total Costs. (The totals must match).

  • How will you cover the shortfall if you are not awarded the full amount being requested through the Community Grants scheme?  (Max length 250 characters)
  • Bank Account Balances - Here you will need to add in some information for each of the organisations Bank accounts so that we can see how much surplus, undesignated funds you have. For each bank account you will need to add:
    • Account Balance
    • How much of the Balance is 'reserved' i.e., for the organisations running costs
    • How much is restricted funds i.e. Can only be used for specific things such as from other grant funding.
    • How much is ring-fenced expenditure i.e. For future running costs or building maintenance
  • Does the anticipated income in Section B above includes potential / confirmed grants from other sources?

If yes:

  • who have you applied to
  • the amount applied for:
  • amount awarded if known:
  • current status
  • decision date 

Project Timescales

Here you add an outline timetable for the project by adding the intended milestone dates with a short description of each milestone; including the project start date and end date (Max length 250 characters per Milestone; you can add as many as you need to)

Declaration

  • The name of the person competing the form and their position/role in the Organisation
  • You will then be asked to confirm you accept the below statements before submitting the form.
    • I confirm that I am authorised to make this application on behalf of the organisation and that, as far as I am aware, the information submitted is true and complete.
    • I understand that Councillor(s) whose Ward(s) may benefit from the project may be consulted about the application and that any comments made will be taken into account when the assessment is completed.
    • Should we be awarded a grant we will make Charnwood Borough Council aware of any potential changes to the project as soon as we become aware of them.
    • The application is made on the understanding that, should our application be successful, the grant will only be used for the purpose(s) specified in the grant offer letter.

Once submitted the form will show you a confirmation page with the reference for you grant application that should be used in all future communication. 

A confirmation email with the reference number will also be sent to the email address supplied on the 'Applicant Details' page.

Last updated: Mon 15th April, 2024 @ 15:35