NNS Connected Communities FUND CRITERIA


 

 NNS Connected Communities 

FUND CRITERIA

 Neighbourhood Network Schemes (NNS) are locality and constituency-based networks funded by Birmingham City Council, Adult Social Care, which enable the engagement with and investment in community assets. This is for the purpose of supporting older and disabled citizens to connect with individuals, groups, organisations, activities, services, and places in their local neighbourhood.

NNS Connected Communities

The aim of NNS Connected Communities is to administer a small grants/capacity building programme which will work to a set of principles outlined below. This is an integral part of the NNS model and will work within the overall aims, objectives, and Prevention First Outcomes of NNS. Where possible it will also work according to Asset Based Community Development principles.

The panel will only fund community-based preventative support which could not otherwise be funded via a Constituency NNS grant panel and is not a priority in any of the Constituencies.

The priority will be to fund and develop preventative support to benefit groups who are spread ‘thinly’ across city, or who might prefer not to meet where they live.

Each application needs to demonstrate that it will benefit communities / interest groups that constituency NNS cannot reach.

 

If one, two or three constituencies only are involved this should not go to the city-wide panel. This should be managed with a single application form either through a joint panel or taking to each NNS panel.

 

You can call us on 02477 800 520 for advice on your project before applying.

 

Fund Aims

 

Following a gaps analysis NNS Connected Communities seeks to support the following communities:

·        LGBTQ + communities

·        Deaf communities – Specifically BSL users

·        Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities

 

Available Funding

 

Grants of up £5,000 are available

 

The panel has the discretion to award grants for more than £5000 if the applicant demonstrates an exceptional need for the proposed project.

 

What will we support?

  • Applications should be for a project that lasts no longer than 12 months
  • New or existing activities/services
  • Grants for a wide range of purposes including sessional salary costs, project or activity costs, equipment, consumables or volunteer costs
  • Capacity building

 

What we will not support

NNS Connected Communities will not tackle generic wider ‘big issues’ in the city such as – healthy eating, covid recovery, digital inclusion, accessible transport

 

Eligibility

 

You can apply to this fund if your organisation is one of the following:

 

·        Registered charities

·        Constituted Community groups

·        Companies Limited by Guarantee with charitable aims

·        Community Interest Companies (not limited by shares)

·       CIO with demonstrable social purpose

·       Co-operatives – registered Community Benefit Societies and registered Industrial and Provident Societies

 

Sorry, we cannot fund:

 

·   Do not support the current priorities set by the steering group

·   Individuals or sole traders

·   Companies Limited by Shares

·   Capital builds

·   Direct replacement of statutory obligation and public funding

·   Promotion of religious or political activities

·   Groups with significant financial free reserves

·   Retrospective grants

·   Contribution to endowment fund, payment of deficit funding or repayment of loans

·   Overseas travel or expeditions

·   Medical research and equipment for statutory or private healthcare

·   General appeals

·   Animal welfare, unless the project benefits people

·   Any Statutory services / work including educational institutions

·   Sponsored or fundraising events or groups raising funds to distribute to other causes

·   Schools, Churches, Parish Councils or PTA’s unless community benefit is demonstrated

 

·   Activities generating private profit

·        Projects which are purely about research

  • Costs of ongoing staff who are not working directly on the project – including salaries of permanent or fixed term staff
  • Costs incurred in putting the application together
  • Core costs of the organisation – (utility bills; rent; management costs etc.) which are not directly related to the project activity
  • Contingency costs e.g. funds to provide a source of income or for fundraising activities
  • Political or religious activities
  • Projects that take place outside of Birmingham.
  • VAT that can be recovered
  • Loans or interest payments.
  • Purchase of alcohol or illegal substances

 

 

Additional Supporting Information

 

To be eligible to apply you must provide proof of:

·        Your organisation / company has a management committee / board of trustees / board of directors with at least 3 unrelated people as members, a list of those directors will be required showing who has bank authorisation

·        A written constitution / articles / set of rules

·        A copy of your most recent annual accounts or financial records showing your organisation’s balance of funds, income and reserves

·        A bank account in the name of the organisation with at least two unrelated signatories.

·        A bank statement from the last 3 months

·        Copies of Safeguarding and Equality Opportunities Policy.

·        Quotes for capital items over £300

 

Your organisation must also have the following policies and procedures in place:

·        Health & Safety

·        Counter Fraud, Anti Corruption, Gifts and Hospitality

·        Whistle Blowing

·        Complaints

 

All grant applicants You will need to provide project updates and photographs throughout the time of the grant. You will need to complete an end of grant monitoring form and supply at least one case study.

All grant applicants will be expected to participate in any appropriate publicity as requested by HoECF and Birmingham City Council.