Community Grants and Strategic funding

Darlington Borough Council’s Community Grant and Strategic Funding scheme provides financial support to community and voluntary sector groups and individuals in Darlington.

Community Grant

The Community Grant is a flexible scheme and can fund one-off projects and events and is awarded annually. Applications and grants can be awarded throughout the year subject to the availability of funding.

The Community Grant is available to voluntary and community sector organisations and in certain circumstances to individuals who are representing the town, for example in a high profile event . Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief will be awarded under this funding stream.

For voluntary and community sector organisations to qualify for the Community Grant then voluntary and community groups should have a Constitution or a Statement of Purpose. This will not be applicable for individuals applying for financial assistance.

The Community Grant scheme will fund projects that clearly contribute to the Community Strategy themes:
• Improving the local economy
• Promoting inclusive communities
• Raising educational achievement
• Stimulating leisure activities
• Promoting community safety
• Improving health and well-being
• Enhancing the environment
• Developing an effective transport system

 Application Process for the community grant

Download a Community Funding Application Form - pdf document

Applicants will be required to complete an application form which will be acknowledged within two weeks of the Council receiving it. 
 
Decisions on whether the grant is to be awarded will be undertaken as quickly as possible. Unsuccessful applicants will be given the reason why the application was refused.
 
During the application process applicants will be required to provide a copy of their constitution or Statement of Purpose, a copy of a recent bank statement and a copy of the latest accounts or a recent signed Treasurer’s report.
 
Applicants must declare the total amount of funding they already receive from Darlington Borough Council. 
  
Grants awarded will normally be between £500-£1000. Larger grants may be awarded in special circumstances.

 

Strategic Funding

Voluntary and community groups can apply for strategic funding that covers core management and administration costs.  Examples of core costs include staff costs and associated running costs

Strategic funding is available for up to three years allowing organisations to plan their operations on a longer term basis.

Application Process for strategic funding

As with Community Grant applications request for funding will need to be aligned to the Community Strategy Themes.

The window of opportunity for applications to be made will be from April to June in any financial year. The Council will consider requests as part of its budget setting process. For those organisations who are successful then funding will be granted from the following April.

Download a Strategic Funding Application Form - pdf document

Applicants will be required to submit applications which will be acknowledged within two weeks.

During the application process applicants will be required to provide a copy of the constitution, a copy of a recent bank statement and a copy of the latest accounts or a recent signed Treasurer’s report in addition to Equal opportunities, Health and Safety, Staffing policies etc.

Applicants must declare the total amount of funding they receive from Darlington Borough Council.

For those applicants who are successful then a service level agreement will be entered into linked to agreed measurable targets and outcomes. In the event that these are not delivered the Council reserves the right to reduce or cancel future years allocations.