Would my project be eligible for funding?

The Isle of Wight Foundation focuses its funding in two main areas:

  • Access to employment
  • Building better communities

Areas of support

The funding will therefore prioritise projects which aim to tackle these issues, and which will make a positive, measurable impact on the local area. The Isle of Wight Foundation will specifically seek t support projects and initiatives which:

  • Provide people with better chances to access training and development to improve their life skills and opportunity for employment:
    • Projects which support those currently excluded from the job market to adapt to the working world, while also receiving the training and support they need.
    • Projects that offer basic training and guidance to enable individuals with no qualifications to enter the working world.
    • Initiatives that help people to reduce the factors restricting their mobility and improve the mobility of people deprived of means of transportation, thereby allowing them easier access to employment, to health care, to education.
  • Build stronger communities with more active citizens working together to minimise social exclusion.
    • Initiatives aimed at promoting citizenship and responsibility among young people.
    • Projects to support people who are excluded to regain self-confidence, recover a decent standard of living, accomplish day-to-day activities, and by so doing integrate with society.
    • Projects that facilitate access to housing for the most underprivileged individuals to provide them with more stability.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Isle of Wight Foundation will consider applications from any community interest or not-for-profit organisations working on the Isle of Wight (for example, charities, community groups and voluntary organisations) that can meet the funding aims and criteria specified.

It will not consider applications from individuals, private sector (profit based) organisations, statutory bodies, federations, public organisations, schools and educational establishments (school ‘Friends’ associations’ applications may be considered if funding is towards non-statutory provision) institutions and political or religious organisations/groups.

Duration

The financial support is temporary and must be used within 12 months of signing the partnership agreement.

The voluntary support from Island Roads employees does not have to be used within the same timeframe but will take place in their working time.

Sustainability and innovation

The Isle of Wight Foundation will support initiatives that aim to be sustainable and ensure permanent employment or activities. It does not finance temporary projects (e.g. exhibitions, one-off events).

The Isle of Wight Foundation values projects or initiatives which seek innovative solutions to tackle social exclusion.

Leadership capacities

The Isle of Wight Foundation will be keen to see evidence in any submission that the management of the organisation applying for the grant are prepared to dedicate time and energy to the further development of the project.

Transparency

Any organisations applying for grant funding must be willing to demonstrate transparency in terms of the information that is provided to the Isle of Wight Foundation both in terms of the clarity and accuracy information supporting the application, including financial components but also in terms of reporting on the progress of the project and its achievements.

Financial support

The financial support provided will be a grant of between £3,000 and £16,000.

This financial support will be given as a lump sum and must be used within 12 months of signing the funding agreement.

The support is reserved for investment expenditure that is material (equipment, vehicles, ICT, furniture, furnishings etc) or non-material (e.g. a website, training directly related to the project).

The following will not be considered:

  • Projects or activities that do not meet any of the Foundation aims and criteria.
  • Any costs you incur when putting together a grant application.
  • Activities that happen or start before we confirm our grant to you.
  • Political or religious activities.
  • Day-to-day operating costs (for example, utility bills, council tax, rent and insurance).
  • Land or building projects where the ownership or lease is not yet in place (including any planning permissions).
  • On-going staff costs (although we will consider staffing costs directly related to the project)
  • Projects or activities that the state or a statutory body has a legal obligation to provide.
  • Projects that cannot be completed within 12 months of the date of the letter confirming the grant (from January 2020)

Additional qualifying criteria

Successful bidders must also be able to show that they have or will have arrangements in place to
meet the following responsibilities. They should provide evidence of:

  • Public liability insurance (minimum £5 million).
  • Evidence that they are able to manage grant funding effectively and efficiently and within the 12-month period – January – December 2021.
  • Evidence that they qualify for funding as an organisation – grants can only be made available to properly constituted voluntary and community groups
  • Compliance with relevant legislation including health and safety, risk assessment, equality and diversity, safeguarding vulnerable adults and children, data protection and freedom of information. This can be demonstrated by providing copies of relevant organisational policies.
  • Agreement to the use both the Isle of Wight Foundation and Island Roads logo on any
    promotional materials for funded activities.