Grant Making Policy
The Trustees apply the following criteria in making grants and you should also read, in full, the Grant Making Strategy Policy Document before completing the application form:
- The Trustees only support applications from charities operating in the “Preferred Locations” of Lancashire (especially Lancaster and District including all LA postcodes), Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside. The geographical restriction does not apply to Travelling Fellowship Grants.
- Preference is given to smaller to medium sized charities where grants will make a difference. Applications for general grants from large well-funded charities (income in excess of £1.25million per annum) will be rejected automatically if the application is for anything other than a capital project.
- The Trustees will support capital or project related applications and running cost applications in respect of smaller charities. However, the Trustees are flexible to take account of the needs of medium and smaller charities (income up to £1.25m) which operate in their preferred locations. For charities in this category they will consider supporting revenue projects and running costs in addition to capital projects. The Trustees scrutinise the financial position of all applicants. Those with Income Accounts showing a substantial surplus and/or large reserves, are unlikely to be supported.
- The Trustees do make grants to disaster/emergency appeals which are considered on a case by case basis.
- The Trustees aim to ensure that administration costs for applicant charities are minimised so that, as far as possible, ONLY charities with a realistic chance of support should consider applying for a grant.
- Charities receiving a grant in excess £10,000 will be required to provide a written report on the progress of the project supported. Ordinarily grants of in excess £50,000 will not be supported without a presentation to the Trustees.
