Overview
About Our Grants
The Worthing Community Chest grant making programme supports projects and activities that enable social and economic wellbeing in Worthing. We try to make the application process simple and accessible for all groups, regardless of size and fund-raising expertise. Applications of up to £750 are forward funded with receipts required. Our larger grants are reimbursed after submitting paid invoices.
The decision to award Seed and Grass Roots grants is made by our Grants Committee of WCC trustees. Grants for Growth are decided by an Appraisal Panel of representatives from recently successful applicants.
guidelines
Criteria for Applications
- We exist primarily to fund constituted community groups and small registered charities. We may, in exceptional circumstances, consider applications from Community Interest Companies.
- We only fund groups operating and supporting communities in Worthing, this means Worthing council wards only.
- Your group’s income must be under £100,000
- We do not fund professional fees or salaries
- We do not fund projects or events that have already occurred
- Successful applicants cannot apply to us for funding again within a two year time period
Read our application guidelines and full list of funding criteria
important dates
Funding Rounds
We review applications for Seed Grants and Grass Root Grants on a rolling basis. Our Appraisal Panels meet a limited number of times a year to review Grant for Growth applications, please find the timings for these on our Funding Rounds page.
Successful Application?
What Happens Next
If your application is successful, a condition of your grant is that you will take part in the appraisal of future Worthing Community Chest applications. We see this as your chance to put something extra back into the community, to learn what grant funding appraisal involves, and to be involved in the decision making on funding for your community. You will have training prior to sitting your term as an appraiser.
If you are successful you will have to complete the Grant Monitoring Form twelve months after being awarded funds. We would also like you to write a short blog for the website and use social media to promote Worthing Community Chest. You will also have member voting rights at our AGM for two years after your application is successful. Once your project has been funded, you must wait 2 years before applying for another grant with us, this enables us to support other groups and projects in the area.
step by step
First Time Application
Our aim is to make the application process as easy as possible, but some questions we ask will require detailed answers. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your project or proposal before you submit your application, especially if it is your first time applying for a grant.
Take a look at our grants application guide which will give you information about what you will need before starting your application. Our grant criteria document provides full details about eligibility for funding. Our online application form provides a ‘save & return’ option if you are unable to complete it in one session and you will receive an email with a link to use to edit or complete it. Once your form is submitted, you will automatically receive the content of your application by email which we suggest you keep for your records.
To start your application, you will need the following documentation:
- A constitution or articles of association
- A set of accounts or project budget
- Quotes for the items you are asking for us to fund
The Grant Application Process:
Step by Step Guide
1.) Check the Details
When our funding founds and their deadlines are and which would be best suited to your project. You will also need to decide which of our funding programmes is best for you, you can find our different options above.
2.) Documentation
We promise this isn’t as scary as it may sound, our Grants Administrator Susan is always happy to help you. To apply for one of our grants you will need to have a group constitution, a bank account, a project budget and quotes for the items you require funding for.
3.) Grants Committee
Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by our Grants Committee, which is a group of trustees, and our Grants Administrator.
4.) Appraisal Panel
Our Appraisal Panel is made up of representatives from previously funded groups. The panel will discuss your application and vote on whether to award funds to your project.
5.) Successful Applicant?!
If your application has been successful, you will have the opportunity to sit on our Appraisal Panel, which you will be trained for. We also require you to evaluate and monitor your product generally in the form of a video unless there are particular safeguarding reasons for which this format would be inappropriate.
Where we fund - our area of activity
We only fund groups or projects within, or which primarily benefit the residents of, the area shown in the map below.
