Community Investment Fund

The Community Investment Fund supports community based organisations delivering services/projects/activities which support the priorities and outcomes of Hampshire County Council’s ‘Open for Business’ Plan 2011 – 2013. Those most relevant to CCBS are:

• Enhance community engagement and partnership working – strengthening and empowering communities.
• Improved quality of life for all, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.

When to apply

This grant stream is currently closed.

The Community Investment Fund is an annual programme and has one round per year. It is open for application from 1 August until 1 October each year.

Grant criteria and eligibility

The Community Investment Fund will support not for profit community based organisations with local governance arrangements whose services/ projects/ activities support the priorities above.

Your services/projects/activities must:

• Improve access to services in their area of benefit.
• Deliver social welfare objectives by improving the life chances and quality of life for all, particularly those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.
• Work in partnership and are engaged with relevant neighbourhood/ community partnerships.
• Work towards optimising economic, social and environmental sustainability.
• Ensure the delivery and improvement of high quality services.
• Where appropriate, increase participation through volunteering.

Where appropriate, depending on the grant sum requested, the organisation will be expected to submit supporting documentation, detailed in the application form guidance. For grants up to £5,000, there are no additional supporting documentation requirements.

All successful applicants will be required to provide appropriate reporting and/or monitoring for their service, projects and/or activities.

Financial Eligibility

Organisations will not normally be eligible for grants where they hold unallocated reserves in excess of one year’s running costs. In cases where reserves held exceed this level a reduced level of funding may be agreed. All charitable organisations are expected to have an agreed reserves policy that addresses their financial risk.

What is funded

A grant can be awarded to eligible organisations to contribute towards service costs and/or core costs including salaries.

What isn't funded

• Organisations that do not meet the Fund’s criteria
• Individuals
• Profit making organisations
• Organisations already in receipt of funding from other Hampshire County Council departments for core costs and/or service/project/activity delivery.
• Organisations providing services and/or projects solely within the unitary authority areas of Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council.
• Parish/Town Councils
• Other local authorities
• Uniformed groups such as Scouts, Girl Guides etc
• Schools
• Capital projects
• Capital grants for equipment.

Application guidance notes and online form