Who can apply for Main Grant Programme funding?

Main Grants Programme (£10,000- £200,000 in England, £10,000 - £100,000 in Scotland and Wales)

Voluntary and community organisations and groups

Most voluntary and community organisations and groups working to regenerate coalfield communities are eligible to apply to us for funding this includes statutory bodies such as local authorities. Please note that we process applications from Parish, Town and Community Councils in the same way as we process applications from voluntary organisations and community groups.

We may make grants to voluntary and community organisations and groups including Community Interest Companies and Social Enterprises, providing business plans are in place and the activity will not result in personal/private benefit and delivers a recognised social benefit, if they have the following:

A constitution or a set of rules to show that the group is legally eligible to receive a grant and entitled to run the planned project. The constitution must also have an acceptable ‘dissolution’ clause, which guarantees that any assets purchased with a grant from the Trust are kept for the benefit of the community.
Have a bank or building society account in the organisation’s name, with the signatures of at least two members of the group needed for each cheque or payment. (Please note that it is good financial practice to make sure that these people are not related).
Have up-to-date annual accounts (for groups that have been established for more than 12 months), or a 12-month cash-flow forecast for new organisations (less than 12 months old), which are presented and audited/approved in line with Charity Commission guidelines and/or their constitution.

Branches of voluntary and community organisations

We can accept applications from branches of larger organisations, including national bodies, as long as the branch has:

Its own independent constitution and separate company registration number from the national body (where applicable).
A bank or building society account in the name of the branch.
Independent accounts in the name of the branch.
A management board or committee which can operate independently of the national body.
Independent policies and procedures.
No financial dependence on the national body.

Statutory organisations

Statutory organisations include:

Local authorities.
Health authorities, including health trusts.
Schools and further-education colleges.
Other organisations that receive public funds.

Statutory organisations will only be supported when it is clear that there is no other organisation within the community with the capacity to manage and deliver the project effectively in the target area.

Who cannot apply for funding

The following are not eligible to receive support:

Individuals.
Private businesses
Organisations that we believe are in a poor financial position or whose financial management systems are not in good order. We will base our opinion on an organisation’s financial position and management systems, an analysis of their accounts, other management information and interviews with the organisation itself.
Voluntary and community organisations and groups who hold ‘free reserves’ that total more than 12 months’ operating costs and who are not contributing enough funds to the project. We will assess how much money the organisation has available in free reserves using information from their accounts. (Free reserves are the amounts of money an organisation hold that are not restricted by any other funder for any other purpose and do not include fixed assets i.e. the value of buildings).
Organisations whose purpose is to raise funds for a specific project
‘Friends of groups’ where the end beneficiary will clearly be a statutory body.
Organisations not established in the UK.
Pigeon (flying) clubs.

Ineligible applications

Applications are not eligible for consideration by the Trust if: they do not meet our funding themes or charitable objectives.

The project beneficiaries are located outside our recognised coalfield communities.
They are entirely or mainly set up to promote religious or political beliefs.
The activity is a statutory responsibility, or a replacement for statutory provision.
Funding is to be used to exclusively draw down landfill tax credits.
The activity shows a conflict of interest with the applicant group.
It will result in individuals personal gain / benefit.
Previous grants have been unsatisfactorily managed.
An organisation/group has previously received 6 years funding for the same activity or more than one capital grant within a CRT funding period.

More detail on who is eligible to apply is contained in our Main Grants Information Booklet or contact our regional office in your area.