Grant Aid introduction
Nottinghamshire County Council wishes to encourage and support voluntary and community action, and welcomes applications for grant aid from local voluntary and community organisations in the following County Council priorities areas:
- learning
- social care and health
- culture and community
- regeneration
- environment
Who can apply for grant aid?
To be eligible to receive grant aid from Nottinghamshire County Council, an organisation must show evidence that it was formed, and is managed and directed by a group of people in the community, acting in a voluntary capacity. Registration as a charity is not essential, but the organisation’s governing documents should clearly indicate the voluntary nature of the organisation, and its governing body.
The governing documents will also demonstrate that either the organisation runs on a not-for-profit basis, or that any profits generated must be used for the benefit of the users/community it was set up to serve. Community Interest Companies are eligible to apply for grant aid. A proportion of the services provided should normally be provided through volunteers.
Housing Associations which are registered as Social Landlords, and therefore have a property development role, are not eligible for grant aid support. Groups which provide/manage housing services, and have a voluntary governing body are eligible to apply for grant aid even if their title defines them as a Housing Association.
Grant Aid budgets will be used to support groups which are located/managed within the County or a neighbouring authority and provide services/support to County residents. National organisations which happen to be located within the County may only be funded for the specific parts of their service which are provided for County residents. Local branches of national organisations will be considered and could be supported on a purely local basis, but must have governing documents which ensure that their governing body is located in the County.
Types of grant aid available
The list below indicates the types of activity that may be eligible and contact details for administering grant aid.
One-off grants (e.g. for buildings, events, or equipment) are also made, but arrangements vary across departments.
The County Council will normally only commit itself to fund any organisation, or individual, on a time limited basis ranging from one to three years (the latter being subject to annual monitoring and review).
Activities eligible for grant aid
The list below shows the types of activities that the County Council funds and the appropriate contact phone number.
Arts - 0115 977 4589
Groups and individuals developing new and innovative projects to increase access to art, particularly for people excluded for social or economic reasons.
Community Transport - 0115 977 4710
Supporting coordinated Community Transport schemes.
Environmental Conservation - 0115 977 2159 or 0115 977 2188 or 0115 977 2129
Restoring buildings, local environmental conservation and improvement, archaeology.
Neighbourhood Groups - 01623 642304
Grants allocated towards running costs, equipment and activities to community groups providing locally based services.
Play - 01636 593930
Holiday play schemes and play organisations, and support for organisations providing these services.
Voluntary Sector Liaison Service - 0115 967 4424
Grant aid is available to groups which provide social care services. Examples include:
- Children/family support
- Support for those with physical/sensory/mental disabilities or illness
- Support for older people
- Information/Advice provision including housing and welfare rights
- Support for carers
- Housing advice/support
- Mental Health projects
- Counselling
- Support for those escaping from domestic violence
- Furniture provision
- Local Development Agencies, Council's for Voluntary Service and organisations supporting community or voluntary organisations
- Voluntary Sector Support including Volunteer Bureaux
- Encouraging people to volunteer
Sport - 0115 977 2971 / 977 4425
Grants are offered to clubs, coaches, individuals and governing bodies for the development of sport within the County
Youth Support Service - 0115 977 4219
Grants are available towards running costs for registered groups working with young people aged 11-25 years.
One-off grants are also available to registered groups to develop new and innovative projects with young people aged 11-25 years.
