Applications open for Rural Development Fund (United Kingdom)

Funding Information

• Grants of up to £2000 are available
  • Normally the panel would expect a group to make a mandatory or in kind contribution to the project
  • Their grant should deliver value for money

Eligible Costs 

• Their grant should make a substantial difference to the project in question
• Normally the panel would expect a group to make a mandatory or in kind contribution to the project
• Their grant should deliver value for money
• Their grant should secure maximum community use or benefit
• They would prefer to fund equipment or training costs and  one off or annual events, as opposed to running costs for groups although this is not excluded
• The panel would like to see a group demonstrate that their project could be sustainable after funding ends

Ineligible Costs 

• Projects that upgrade premises or equipment to meet legislative requirements
• Projects that should be funded by a statutory authority
• Solely commercial ventures
• Party political activity
• Activity promoting religion or with a strong religious undertone, but religious groups running community projects will be considered
• Staff costs or costs associated with staff
• The reimbursement of costs, (for goods or services bought or ordered before the official start date of the grant)
• Any costs you incur when putting in your application
• Loans or interest payments or endowments
• Vehicles
• Food or meals

Eligible Projects

• Your project must meet must the following aims:
  • Groups should be working towards encouraging and developing rural community life.
  • To strengthen communities and tackling issues faced by rural communities
  • If awarded a grant it should make a visible difference to the project

Eligibility Criteria

• This programme is able to consider applications from:
  • Constituted community groups
  • Constituted voluntary groups
  • Registered Charities
  • Social Enterprises
  • Priority will be given to groups with an annual income should be less than £30,000
  • You should have reserves of less than 1 years income

Ineligibility Criteria

• This programme is not able to offer funding to:
  • Statutory organisations, including Schools, Police, Health authorities and Local Authorities, (but Parish and Town Councils will be considered)
  • Any national organisation based in Staffordshire

Application Requirements

• The following documents must be provided with your application. If you fail to provide these documents, your application will not be considered. All documents should be submitted at the time of application.
  • A copy of your signed constitution
  • A copy of your most recent annual accounts
  • A copy of your most recent bank statement
  • Safeguarding policies relevant to your application
  • Quotes for all capital items
  • Screenshot/picture showing your geographical location on a map (Google Maps is fine)
  • Drawn plans/diagrams/photographs to show any proposed building or upgrade works (if applicable)

For more information, visit The Community Foundation for Staffordshire.