It is Down District Council policy to support initiatives from community groups and organisations by every means at its disposal and by application of all resources available from local and national agencies.

About the scheme

The schemes are open to established voluntary or community groups, as well as new or informal groups of citizens who are or intend by the date of application to become formally constituted.

To be eligible for a grant an organisation must:-

• Be established for charitable, benevolent, social, cultural, recreational or philanthropic purposes

• Have a constitution, or set of rules, which define its aims, objectives and operational procedures

• Be able to provide a copy of its latest annual accounts and most recent bank statement. Accounts to be checked and signed by a person independent of the group

• Have a bank account operated by a minimum of at least two joint signatories.

Your project should be something that makes your local community a better place in which to live, work or visit. Whatever you decide to do, it should be something that will provide a long lasting benefit to your local area.

Tourism Events Grant: Up to £5000 in practice, average £1000

Arts Development Grant: Up to £2000 in practice, average £1000

Community Groups Seeding Grant: Up to £100

Economic Project Development Grant: Up to £20,000 in practice, average £5000 -10000

Community Festival Grant - Up to £650

Community Relations Grant - Up to £500

Community Development Activities Project Grant - Up to £500

Revenue Grant - Up to £750

Christmas tree & lighting scheme

It must be something that will improve the social and/or economic profile of the District.

• It should benefit people who live in Down District and have the potential to be sustainable in the longer term.

• There must be clear evidence that local people support the project and are involved in carrying it out.

• Applications do not have to be from groups that already exist. Help will be given to new or informal groups of people who have come together to undertake new projects and priority will be given to those who are doing something which adds value, rather than applications for running costs.

• With the exception of small community seeding or running costs, no revenue expenditure will be available.

• Projects should be completed within the financial year of award. Council cannot carry over funding commitments.

• Each group may only make one application per financial year.

• The proposed activity should benefit the District.

• Preference will be given to local groups.

How to Apply

The policy, eligibility criteria and information on scoring applications will be available to all applicants in print and on Council website. Contact: damienb.community@downdc.gov.uk

Community Service grants from Council aim to develop voluntary participation and to enable and assist groups in extending their capacity. Grants range from £100 - £6,000 depending on the programme area.

Seeding Grant: For new groups with a constitution, committee and or steering group. The average grant payable is £100.

Festival Grant: Minimum of £500, maximum of £6,000. The average grant payable is £700-£800.

Revenue Grants: For groups with premises and which are properly constituted with a committee and or steering group. The grant will cover 75% of approved expenditure. The amount of grant payable varies from £200 - £750.

Special One Off Grants: For groups which are properly constituted with a committee and or steering group. Each project is considered on merit. The average grant payable is £100.

Example Grants

In 1999/2000 grants were awarded to:

• Ballyhalbert Community Association - £200

• Scrabo Residents Association - £250

• Greyabbey Village Hall - £500

• Newtownards Community Workforce - £7,800

• Portaferry Community Workforce - £1,000

• Community Houses - £1,000

• West Winds Residents Association - £250

How to Apply

Request an application form from Geoffrey Porter. A report is prepared by the Council Officer which is then presented to Council. Applications are welcome at any time. Budgets are drawn up in November each year, therefore it is important that requests for larger projects are made in early Autumn. www.ards-council.gov.uk

The Turkington Fund aims to offer funding for locally based community projects that are run by, and for, older people. Grants range between £200 - £3000. The Fund will allocate some £60,000 each year in a range of small grants.

What the Fund will support

While not exclusive, the Fund welcomes applications that address:

• The promotion of interaction between older people and other sections of the community

• Activities to address shared concerns amongst groups of older people

• Activities that focus on the positive contribution of older people within the community

• Projects that enhance the active participation of older people in decision-making and policy influence

• Encouragement of older people to engage with a range of social, educational, health and cultural activities

How to Apply

A Grant Selection Panel will consider applications and make recommendations to the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Board of Trustees. The decision of the Board of Trustees shall be final. Groups that receive funding will be expected to provide a short report on the progress and impact of the project supported.

You can download the Turkington Fund guidelines and application form from the CFNI website: www.communityfoundationni.org