Culture and Community Activity Grants

This scheme is currently closed. The scheme will re-open on the 1st September 2013.

The purpose of the Culture and Community Activity Grants is to provide general support to groups and organisations which encourage and provide opportunities for individuals and communities to participate in community-focused, cultural and recreational activities.

This programme funds projects and proposals which support the priorities and outcomes in Hampshire’s ‘Open for Business’ Plan 2011-13:

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

When to apply

Deadline for applications	Decision date	Period of activity
1 May 2013	20 June 2013	July 2013 - March 2014
1 November 2013	20 January 2014	April 2014 - March 2015

Grant criteria and eligibility

We will fund organisations and services who fulfil the following criteria:

• The services, projects or activities of the organisation support the priorities detailed above.
• The organisation has a clear management structure within its constitution or suitable governance/terms of reference.
• The organisation must be able to demonstrate that without the support from Hampshire County Council the activity/event would not be able to proceed at all or to the extent outlined in the application.
• Organisations with significant funds in place or higher levels of reserves must demonstrate why funding from Hampshire County Council is needed.
• The organisation must have actively sought funding from other sources, including district, borough, town or parish council funding. Priority will be given to applications which have partner funding in place from other sources.

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

Funding criteria

Culture and Community Activity Grants will fund up to a maximum of £5,000.

We can match fund business sponsorship up to £500. The sponsorship you are receiving must be monetary, we can not match fund any in kind sponsorship, e.g. free/subsidised marketing. Match funding must be a minimum of £200 per business and businesses must be first time sponsors. Maximum of one application per organisation per year.

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

• Any high quality project that delivers measurable results against the objectives set out above.
• Countryside access and rights of way projects.
• Conservation projects to benefit the habitat or species particularly important to a site.
• Community, cultural or recreational projects, activities or events that provide opportunities for local people to become involved.
• Match funding for business sponsorship.

What isn't funded

• Individuals
• Further or higher education fees, personal development or training fees for individuals
• Curriculum based activities
• Building based capital works
• Capital schemes – i.e. buying instruments, equipment or uniforms.
• Setting up an organisation
• General running costs of an organisation
• Profit making events/activities
• Services, projects or activities solely within the unitary authority areas of Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council
• Uniformed groups such as Scouts, Girl Guides etc.

Please note we cannot retrospectively fund works or projects that have already been carried out.  Grants are issued for works or projects to be carried out in the future.

Application guidance notes and online form