How to Apply

The Trust welcomes applications from single of groups of likeminded individuals living within the Area of Benefit. You can apply in two ways, though our online submission forms, or by downloading an application form and submitting it via the post.

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GRANT GIVING POLICY

The St Dennis and Nanpean Charitable Trust is a grant giving trust.  The Trust’s funds are the result of a S106 agreement between Cornwall Council and Cornwall Energy Recovery Centre for the construction of the Cornwall Energy Recovery Plant at St Dennis.

The purpose of the fund is to offer opportunities to the Trust and other eligible “not for profit” organisations in The St Dennis Electoral Division (the Area of Benefit) to receive grants so they may create and/or deliver projects for the benefit of their community and members via a simple, effective, inclusive programme.  Our priority is to allocate grants where they will achieve maximum impact and demonstrably make an improvement in people’s lives.  We have therefore spent time reviewing how our grants can make a difference in the area and, as a local funder, we want to create the best outcomes by:

• Supporting good  local activities to be effective and financially sustainable
• Bringing new ideas and services to the Area of Benefit
• Helping to create better functioning organisations (improving the capacity of the local organisations and community groups)

What We Fund

All the grants we give must fit one of our charitable objects which are:

• To promote the preservation of health of people living in the Area of Benefit.
• To assist in the provision of recreational facilities for the people living in the area of benefit in the interests of social welfare, who by reason of their youth, age, infirmity, disablement, financial, social, or economic circumstances, have need of such facilities, with the object of improving their condition of life.
• To promote the protection and improvement of the environment in the Area of Benefit.
• To promote sustainable development: sustainable development means “development which meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

• To advance such charitable purposes (according to the law of England and Wales) as the Trustees see fit from time to time.  Nothing in this constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the charity for purposes which are not exclusively charitable purposes, or for the public benefit.

Deadlines and guidelines

Applications are reviewed by the Grants Panel on a bi-monthly basis.  Applications for grants must be received by the Grants Administrator at least one week before a Grant Panel meeting.

NOTE:  The Trust’s preference is for all applications to be made online.   However, where necessary applications can still be made via a paper application (contact Fund Administrator for details at info@stdennisnanpeanct.org.uk).

Funding Guidelines:  Our current funding guidelines can be found at www.stdennisnanpeanct.org.uk/about-us/).  Our funding guidelines do change from time to time, so applicants are advised to check the published guidelines on our website before beginning any application. Applications which do not follow these guidelines will not be considered.

Applications unlikely to succeed

The Trustees do not support:

• Applications from sole traders, private members clubs, private business or any other “for profit” organisation. All applicants will be asked for evidence of their “not for profit” structure e.g. a copy of an organisation’s constitution.

• Organisations that do not offer community benefit for the residents within the area of benefit. Organisations based outside of this area, or organisations based in the area but operating county wide, can apply on the condition that at least one of the beneficiaries attending the project reside within the area of benefit and that this can be evidenced

• General appeals or letters/mailshots requesting donations

• Grant-making organisations seeking funding for the purpose of awarding grants to others

• Organisations with liquid (free) reserves covering more than 6 months’ expenditure unless they can clearly demonstrate that they are in financial need

• Organisations that do not yet have a track record of service delivery (or other convincing evidence of ability)

• On-going running and core costs (including salaries not related to project delivery) unless the Grants Panel believes there is an exceptional reason to do so. If you think you may have an exceptional case please email the Administrator before applying.  The Administrator will take advice from the Grants Panel on whether such application is likely to be deemed exceptional and notify you accordingly.

• Projects which only benefit people outside the Area of Benefit

• Projects which have already been started (i.e. retrospective funding)

• Campaigning or lobbying projects

• Work usually considered a statutory responsibility of local or national government

• Projects which cannot be completed within 12 months (Small Grants) or 24 months (Large Grants)

• Projects which require planning permission/other consents and such permission or consent has not been obtained (and evidenced to the Trust) prior to a panel meeting

• Applications asking for donations

• Applications for capital expenditure which cannot evidence a minimum of 5 years ownership or effective control of land or buildings which are the subject of the application

General

Grants vary in amount, but generally fall within the range of £250 to £50,000. The total amount awarded varies from year to year according to available funds. As a guide, in the year 2022, 13 grants were awarded from our fund totalling £210,863.78.

In the current financial climate, commitments to make future payments are rarely given for the same project. Organisations which have received a grant are encouraged to apply in the next and subsequent years for different projects but should note that only rarely will grants be given to the same organisation for four successive years. This does not however mean that an organisation that has received three successive grants will not be eligible in future years, just that we would not generally award a grant in year four.

Exceptional grants

The Trustees may occasionally consider larger exceptional grants, but this is unusual and generally confined to organisations that we know well and have supported for some time. There is no separate application process for this, and contenders will be identified from the normal grant round.

Governance

St Dennis and Nanpean Community Trust’s grant-making is managed by a board of trustees who give their time freely to undertake the work of the Trust.

The day to day running of the foundation is undertaken by the Trust Administrator who works part-time.  Enquiries should be made to: info@stdennisnanpeanct.org.uk or via the website’s contact page. Telephone or zoom calls can be arranged by appointment.

Revised July 2024

Area of Benefit