Community Award Fund

Your work must directly contribute to the achievement of at least one of the Love Luton criteria and can clearly be supported with evidence and examples of the need and how this will be achieved with outcomes (needed for large and small applications)

Need to be able to demonstrate how they have proven the need for the project/initiative/event. (needed for large and small applications)

That they have the capacity, knowledge, skills, resources and ability to deliver the project/initiative/event successfully. (needed for large and small applications)

That they are correctly governed and follow their constitution at all times.

Strong financial management and in good financial health.

At all times committed to the promotion of equality, cohesion and inclusion, both within its group and across the community as a whole and that this is demonstrated through the way it plans and delivers its activities. (needed for large and small applications)

That its estimate of the funding required to deliver its activities is realistic and reasonable and represents good value for money. (needed for large and small applications)

Has an adequate complaints procedure.

Clear safeguarding policy ensuring young children and the vulnerable are protected at all times. (needed for large and small applications)

Demonstrable track record of partnership working with others working in the same, similar or complementary field of activity.

Acknowledge that they cannot expect continued funding from the Love Luton fund and that it has a track record of, wherever possible, seeking funds from different sources and should make every effort to become sustainable, and has a clear exit strategy for dealing with a situation where funding stops. (needed for large and small applications)

Applications will receive a higher weighting if they can demonstrate that they are a group with strong links in the community and have a permanent base in it.

All applicants will need to provide the following documents:

1. 1. A governing document that outlines the objects and powers of the group (only for large applications)
   2. An equal opportunities policy (only for large applications but must demonstrate their understanding of equal opportunities in the smaller application)
   3. A safeguarding policy (for both if involves children)
   4. A most recent set of annual accounts or, for groups operating for less than twelve months, a budget or estimate of income and spend for the year ahead and a development or business plan if one is in place. (only for large applications)
   5. A complaints policy. (only for large applications)

Applications from profit making organisations.

Applications from Community Interest Companies or Social Enterprises that cannot demonstrate that they have contracts in place that have a value of more than 50% of their annual turnover.

Applicants where those benefiting do not live within Luton.

Organisations or activities that promote political parties, terrorism or the propagation of religion or conduct of worship. Religious organisations may apply for funding for non-denominational activities that demonstrate wider public benefit.

National or regional charities, except where funding is demonstrably targeted locally.

Bids from statutory services or projects that would otherwise be funded from statutory sources.

Retrospective funding (money that has already been spent).

The Community Award fund will not support applications where more than 50% is on staff costs (dependant on project).

Only requests for funding on the official application forms will be considered. Forms are sent on request by e-mail (coordinator@loveluton.org.uk)

Please make sure that copies of all supporting documents are included with the application (only applicable for large applications)

On receipt of the completed application we will advise of an announcement date and follow up with any points of clarification.

The panel is made up from those on the working group of the Love Luton campaign.  The panel meets at least four times a year.

All applications will be checked against the fund’s criteria and only those that clearly meet the criteria will be presented to the panel. The funders reserve the right to decline or accept any application according to the decision of the awards panel. There is no right of appeal against any decision made.

The decision of the awards panel will be notified to you within two weeks of its meeting.

The panel have the right to close the application process at any time they see fit (for example when commitments for that year have reached the allocated pot or if there are a large number of applications in for review).