Lifting Lives
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Grants Policy
1. The objects of Lifting Lives (“the Charity”)
Under the terms of the Charity’s constitution, the Trustees apply funds for the following purposes: “The objects of the Charity are to advance such charitable purposes within the United Kingdom as the Trustees see fit, in particular through the provision of grants and financial assistance to registered charities and to other community-based organisations in respect of charitable activities”.
2. Priorities for support
The overall aim of the Charity’s grants programme is to improve the quality of people’s lives within communities in the United Kingdom, especially amongst those most in need. Although the Trustees are empowered to spend the Charity’s money on anything that is charitable in law, they will prioritise grassroots initiatives that encourage:– social mobility and individual wellbeing; improving the planet and local environment; and enabling people from disadvantaged and diverse backgrounds to prioritise their health and wellbeing, develop skills for life and employment, and enjoy their local environment. The Trustees aim is to support projects and activities that are bringing about real change to the lives of people in their communities.
Additionally, the Charity gives priority to organisations supporting and empowering people who face particular difficulties in their lives such as:
• people who rely on the state for housing and services
• people experiencing mental health challenges
• older people
• people living with disabilities
• people who are unemployed or on low incomes
• carers of people with additional needs
• young people who are affected by ‘disadvantage’ in any way
• people threatened or affected by domestic abuse
• people from the Black and Minority Ethnic Community
• LGBTQ+ Groups
• people who are from any other marginalised or disadvantaged group
Some of the key themes will be:
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Individual Wellbeing |
Social Mobility |
Planet & Environment |
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• Equality |
• Employment & skills |
• Enhanced community spaces |
3. Eligibility
In order to receive support from the Charity, applicants must comply with the following criteria:
i. Grants will only be awarded to organisations, not to individuals. Organisations need to be constituted and have their own bank account but do not need to be registered charities. Priority is given to community groups, though other organisations will be considered.
ii. Whether the applicant organisation is a registered charity or not, the purpose of the grant must be charitable under the laws of England & Wales.
iii. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the purpose of the grant has been aligned with identified local needs. Applicant organisations must be based within the UK.
iv. Applicant organisations must be not-for-profit, i.e. they cannot pay profits to directors, shareholders or members and, in the event of winding up, any residual assets must be passed on to another not-for-profit body or charity.
v. The applicant organisation must have a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and be able to demonstrate how this is applied within the organisation if requested to do so.
vi. The applicant organisation must have a governing body (board or management committee) comprising at least three people who are not related to one another. ‘Related’ can mean: related by marriage or civil partnership; in a long-term relationship with each other; living together at the same address; related by blood.
vii. Applications that have been written by a professional fundraiser or private consultant will not be considered unless clear evidence is provided of the full involvement of the applicant organisation in developing the application.
4. Exclusions
Applications will not be considered for the following purposes:
• retrospective funding (i.e. money already spent)
• to pay off debts
• supporting sponsored events, including expeditions
• large research projects, including medical research
• animal welfare
• substituting services or money provided by the statutory sector
• party political promotion and campaigning
• fees of professional fundraisers
• educational bursaries
• trips abroad
• part funding towards larger projects or appeals, where it is not clear what difference funding from the Charity will make.
5. Grant application process
All applications for grants should be made in writing to the Trustees, delivered by post or by e-mail or via a website, as may be specified by the Trustees. Where a standard application form is provided, this must be used.
The application must:
• explain the purpose of the application with details of the project or activity, the way in which the grant will be used, how the purpose of the grant has been aligned with identified local needs, and how it will be managed effectively for its intended purpose Assessment process
• include the names of those who are to be involved with the project/work to be carried out, and the identity of the person(s) who will be responsible for the administration of the grant money
• provide adequate information regarding the identity, legal form and financial status of the applicant organisation
• confirm that the applicant is willing to co-operate with the Trustees to review and report on the status and standing of the applicant organisation
• be signed or verified on behalf of the applicant to confirm that all information contained in the application is correct.
6. Assessment process
All grant applications will be subject to initial assessment to ensure they meet the basic criteria for funding.
Those which pass the initial assessment test will be subject to further scrutiny. Applicants must be prepared to provide such other information as the Trustees may reasonably require in order to assist them in their decision-making.
Applicants should note that, as with many other charitable trusts, the Charity expects to receive more applications than it has funds to support. Even if a project fits within the criteria and priorities of the Charity and a detailed assessment has been made, the Charity may still be unable to provide a grant.
The Trustees will not be obliged to provide an explanation to the applicant should their application be unsuccessful.
7. Conditions of receiving an award
i. The Trustees may impose additional terms and conditions relating to the grant, which will be contained in an offer letter from the Charity to the grant recipient. The applicant must agree to be bound by these terms and conditions before funds are released.
ii. If there is any change in circumstances relevant to the grant, it is the applicant’s responsibility to inform the Charity promptly.
iii. Grants must be used by the original applicant and must not be distributed to any other individuals or organisations, unless specifically authorised within the conditions attached to the award.
iv. The project or activity for which the grant has been awarded must be commenced within six months of receiving the money, otherwise it shall be returned to the Charity.
v. Support received from Lifting Lives shall be acknowledged in any publicity material, social media and press releases produced by the recipient which relate to an event or activity that was funded.
8. Monitoring
It is the policy of the Charity to monitor all grants made. To this end, before a grant can be confirmed, conditions will be stipulated (appropriate to the work to be carried out) regarding how progress will be assessed against agreed targets and/or milestones. Once a grant has been confirmed:
i. If the grant is payable in instalments, then payment of subsequent grant instalments will be dependent on satisfactory progress having been demonstrated and the Trustees reserve the right to terminate the grant on receipt of unsatisfactory progress reports. Failure to submit reports within the time specified may also jeopardise the continuation of support.
ii. In addition to reports detailing progress, all grant recipients are required to provide:
a. an annual statement detailing how their grant monies have been spent for the year (this may be included in or accompany their annual accounts)
b. details (where applicable) of any other funds applied to the same project, and where these funds have come from.
iii. Monitoring visits may be made by representatives of the Charity during the period of a grant, and the recipient organisation is required to co-operate with these visits.
iv. The Trustees will expect to receive copies of any published articles, papers or other outputs which may result from the project.
v. Following the conclusion of the project, the grant recipient will be required to submit a final report, normally within three months of the end of the grant, detailing fully the results and outputs from the project. The grant recipient shall inform the Charity of any circumstances causing a delay to the submission of the final report, to allow a mutually acceptable date for submission to be agreed.