GrantRadar

The Harpur Trust

Community Micro Grants

The Harpur Trust's Community Micro Grants give up to £2,000, to be spent within one year, to small, new grassroots groups, charities and CICs in Bedford Borough that have little or no experience of applying for grants. Instead of a cold application, groups send a short expression of interest by email and a member of the grants team visits, then supports them to write the application. Work must fit the Trust's objects of education, relief of poverty, sickness or distress, or recreation with a social welfare purpose.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £2,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Small grassroots not-for-profit community organisations, charities and Community Interest Companies (limited by guarantee only) that are based in Bedford Borough, with at least 80% of beneficiaries resident in Bedford Borough; annual income under £25,000; limited reserves and no substantial assets; and little or no experience of grant applications
  • The criteria say organisations should have been operating for less than 2 years, with exceptions for more established organisations with new, inexperienced leadership or little prior grant success; they must also be active, have previously delivered an activity and show evidence of need
  • Governance: a governing document, a bank account with at least two unrelated signatories, safeguarding and equality policies, and an active board or committee of at least three unrelated members (you can send an expression of interest without these, but cannot submit an application until they are in place)

What it funds

Projects or equipment for small community organisations, for up to one year, that fit one or more of the Trust's charitable objects:

  • Advancement of education
  • Relief of poverty, sickness or distress
  • Recreation with a social welfare purpose

The Trust prioritises organisations that are new to grant applications, have clear goals and success measures, need funds for projects or equipment, want to develop their funding skills, are open to support from Bedfordshire CVS and can demonstrate community need.

The full grant is paid once the grant agreement is accepted.

What it will not fund

  • Inactive or newly formed groups
  • Sole traders or private businesses
  • Branches of international, national or regional organisations
  • Projects which promote a religion or faith
  • School PTAs or 'Friends of' groups
  • Member-only benefit groups
  • Building improvements

How to apply

  1. Read the Micro Grants criteria and process map
  2. Email an Expression of Interest to grants@harpurtrust.org.uk with your organisation's name, the lead contact's details, the type of organisation and what it does, and a brief overview of the project and funding request
  3. A member of the grants team contacts you to discuss eligibility and arranges to meet members of your board or committee
  4. Develop your application with support from your dedicated grants team member
  5. Submit the application on or before the agreed deadline
  6. Receive feedback and the funding decision; if successful, sign and return the grant agreement and the grant is paid in full

Progress and final reports may be required, with help from your grants team member; funds must be spent within one year.

For an informal discussion call 01234 369500.

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