Heritage grants for Community Groups in Barrow Borough

Who can apply for funding?

Applications for funding are welcomed from locally based voluntary and not for profit groups in Barrow Borough who are involved in heritage community projects or initiatives. To receive funding, groups must be constituted and hold a bank account in the name of the group.

Your project should demonstrate how it will engage a wider range of people in heritage.

Projects will be heritage themed, delivered in Barrow Borough and will demonstrate how they address the outcomes outlined in the criteria and how they will engage with the local community. 

To find out if your project is eligible for funding or for further information contact Ali Greenhalgh, Micro to Mighty Project Officer ali.greenhalgh@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

What funding is available?

Heritage grants of £200 to £3000 are available.

How to apply

Complete the Micro to Mighty application form (PDF 112KB)

  • First closing date - 15 August 2023
  • Second closing date - 13 October 2023

You will need to send:

  • a copy of your group's constitution
  • recent bank statements
  • annual accounts
  • equal opportunities policy (or statement) 
  • a breakdown of all costs associated with your project supported by at least two quotes or estimates from suppliers. 

Applications from projects that work with children, young people or vulnerable adults will be need to send a child protection policy and/or a safeguarding vulnerable adults policy.

Completed applications for funding should be submitted online or returned to the Barrow Area Support Team office.

These guidance notes are for anybody wishing to apply for a grant up to a maximum of £3,000 from the Barrow's Heritage Micro-grant programme

The guidance note is designed to help you decide whether your project is eligible for funding and to help you with completing your application form.

1.  Purpose

The underlying aim of the project is to involve a wider range of people in heritage than are currently. This will be achieved through ensuring the projects supported cover a range of organisations who are committed to exploring ways of reaching new and less engaged audiences.

2. Outcomes

Your project should demonstrate how it will engage a wider range of people will be involved in heritage (every project must achieve this mandatory outcome) and how address any the following outcomes:

  • Heritage will be in a better condition
  • Heritage will be identified and better explained
  • People will have developed skills
  • People will have learned about heritage, leading to change in ideas
  • People will have a greater wellbeing
  • The funded organisation will be more resilient
  • The local area will be a better place to live, work or visit
  • The local economy will be boosted

3. Range of Grant

£200 - £3,000

4. Eligible Projects

Projects will be heritage themed, delivered in Barrow Borough and will demonstrate how they address the outcomes outlined above and how they will engage with the local community.

Exclusions

  • Groups/organisation without a constitution.
  • Groups/organisations without a dual signatory bank account.

The types of organisations we can fund

Constituted* community groups and voluntary organisations or associations with a social purpose and with at least 3 unrelated people aged over 18 on the management committee.

*to be a constituted organisation, a group or organisation will need to have a governing document, for example - a set of rules, which sets out how the organisation works and does not allow profit to be taken. Applicants will be required to attach a signed and dated governing document or set of operating rules with their application form.

5. Deadline for applying

There will be two rounds of micro-grant applications with the following deadlines: 

  • Round one 15 August
  • Round two 13h October

6. The application process

Applications for funding should be made on our application form and supported by all requested supporting documentation.

Application forms are available from the Micro to Mighty Project Officer.

Completed application forms must be signed and returned with the following supporting documents:

  • A minimum of two Estimates/Quotes from two different independent suppliers.
  • A detailed breakdown of all costs associated with your application for funding.
  • A copy of a recent Bank Statement for all accounts held in the name of your group.
  • A copy of your most recent Annual Accounts or Audited Accounts.
  • Your Equal Opportunities Policy or Statement (where not explicit in Constitution).
  • Your Constitution or other governing documents.
  • A copy of your last Annual Report and/or AGM minutes.
  • Your Child Protection Policy, where appropriate.
  • Your Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy, where appropriate.

Incomplete applications or applications that do not include all of the above documentation cannot be considered for funding. We may contact you to ask for more details about your project or possibly arrange to visit your organisation. We will be pleased to help you with any queries you may have in relation to the supporting information you are required to provide in advance of submitting your completed application.

7. How your application is dealt with

Upon receipt of an application for funding we will make an initial assessment to check that the application is eligible for funding against the criteria of the scheme and that all supporting documentation has been provided.

We aim to acknowledge receipt of all applications within 10 working days of receiving the application.

An evaluation report will be produced for each eligible application along with a recommendation for funding.

A grants panel made up of councillors and council officers will discuss the application and make a final recommendation for funding.

Once your application has been considered and a decision has been made we will inform you by letter and if you have been successful we will arrange for the funds to be released.

8. Unsuccessful or ineligible applications

Applicants whose applications are unsuccessful or ineligible will be notified by letter and receive feedback on the reasons for the failure of the grant application within two weeks of the decision.

9. Payment of funding

Funding approved for payment can now be paid directly into a group or organisation bank account via the Bank Automated Credit System (BACS).

Once authorised the council's Financial Services department will arrange for funding to be paid directly into the group or organisation bank account as detailed in the application form.

10. Promotion of our funding support

We require that groups and organisations recognise Westmorland and Furness Council and the Heritage Fund funding support by highlighting this on all promotional materials in relation to the project or initiative, for example - acknowledgement in any press releases issued by the group, posters, flyers, website.

11. Terms and conditions of funding for Westmorland and Furness Council

You are required to maintain a bank account in the name of the group. All withdrawals from the account should require a minimum of two signatures.

Grants awarded must be spent only on the purpose for which is stated within your application. If for any reason your circumstances change and you wish to vary the way in which you spend your grant you are required to contact us and request written permission to do so.

You are required to provide access to all necessary documentation to support your application for funding.  Financial support provided by Westmorland and Furness Council should be acknowledged on all printed publicity and in information given to the press and media.

Your organisation or group should promote equality of opportunity and eliminate all forms of discrimination. Your commitment to this should be clearly identified in a written policy or statement that takes into account current legislation and good practice.

In the event of your organisation ceasing to operate or failing to undertake or complete the activity for which the grant was offered, Westmorland and Furness Council reserves the right to withhold payment, reduce its award or seek recovery.

You will be required to submit a Project Completion Report six months after any grant award has been paid. 

Organisations or groups who do not complete and return a satisfactory Project Completion Report may be required to return their funding and will not be considered for future

For further information please contact Ali Greenhalgh, Barrow's Heritage Micro to Mighty Project Officer ali.greenhalgh@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk