ANNUAL REPORT 2008 - Grant Making Policy

Site Menu

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chairman's Report
Our Values
Grant Making
Grants A - L
Grants M - Y
Achievements
Mental Health Grants
Monitoring/Evaluation
Education & Training
Property
Future Plans
Benefit & Risks
Financial Highlights
Income Fund & Balance Sheet

Grant Making

Grants to Organisations
The Charity invites applications for grants from organisations and individuals provided they work or live within the benefit area. Details of our grant giving application procedures are to be found on our website. Over 90 local organisations received a grant from RPLC over the past year – a total of around £740,000. Many of these grants support the core funding of key local organisations on a long term basis, with the grants monitored and renewable every four years. Other applications are received for new projects that meet our aim of supporting local residents disadvantaged by poverty, illness, disability or age. 

Grants to Individuals 
We give three types of grants to people living in our benefit area:

1. Crisis Grants
These are grants of up to £250 for people in urgent need and are most often given for household goods, bills, debts, food and clothing. All applications must come through other local organisations, such as Citizens Advice Bureau or social services. We do not accept applications directly from individuals. The applications are assessed by our staff as they come in, so we are able to respond quickly to people in crisis. A total of £70,000 is available for Crisis Grants this year.

2. Winter Heating Grants
We have offered grants to help with winter heating annually for over 20 years. Any pensioner in our benefit area who receives a means tested benefit may apply for a £50 grant towards their heating bills. Application forms are available from December and the grants are paid in January. People who have received a grant automatically receive an application form the following year. Up to £36,500 is available for Winter Heating Grants this winter.

3. Education & Training Grants
These grants are to help adults of any age to obtain vocational, professional or academic qualifications or to retrain after unemployment. We aim to increase employment prospects, increase independence and confidence and enhance quality of life. Grants can range from £50 to cover books to much larger amounts over several years for course fees. Applicants may apply directly to our Deputy Director, Barbara Gilgallon , but you must have lived in our benefit area for at least 6 months before you apply. Applications are assessed by our Education Committee which meets 6 times a year. This year over £100,000 is available for Education and Training Grants for individuals.