Hampshire County Youth Service

Grants Policy and Criteria

Hampshire County Youth Service provides grants to support work with young people and develop the capacity of voluntary youth organisations in Hampshire in line with the aims, objectives and priorities of the Youth Service and Connexions Service.

1. Principles

1.1 There are two types of grant:

· Annual Revenue Grant

· Project Development Grant

1.2 There is one set of criteria which apply to ALL grants. Organisations MUST

fulfil the criteria to be eligible for grant aid.

1.3 All grant applications must include supporting statements:

· Annual revenue grants - county from HCVYS

· Annual revenue grants - district from SYW

· Project development grants - county from HCVYS and young people

· Project development grant - district from SYW or Connexions Co- ordinator and young people

1.4 A grants assessment panel comprising Youth Service Manager, Representative of County Youth Council and Representative of HCVYS, serviced by Principal Administrative Officer will:

· assess all grant applications and make recommendations to the CYO to take to the Youth Panel.

· Monitor and evaluate the operation of the grants policy and impact on work with young people of grants allocated to voluntary organisations.

1.5 HCVYS be contracted to provide the following services:

· Manage allocation of all training grants to voluntary youth organisations

· Provide training and support for voluntary youth organisations to make funding applications, complete grants forms and monitor and evaluate their work.

· Assess and vet all grant applications from county-wide voluntary youth organisations and provide supporting statement.

· Play a role in monitoring and evaluating outcomes for county Organisations

· Provide a representative to sit on the grants assessment panel

2. Grants

2.1 Annual Revenue Grant

i. This grant is available for Countywide Voluntary Youth Organisations - these are youth organisations that co-ordinate or develop youth work throughout the County. Organisations which have local branches or projects should submit one summary application. The maximum grant available is £25,000. Approved grants are usually less than this.

ii. Local Voluntary Youth Organisations - these are youth organisations who work within district council areas or defined communities. The maximum grant available is determined by the Youth Service formula funding resource allocation. Approved grants are usually between £500 and £5,000.

The grants budget is allocated on a formula basis to ensure equitable distribution of the budget throughout the County and to respond to the needs of young people and communities. The Hampshire County Council Youth Panel considers annual revenue grants at its March meeting with any remaining balances allocated to project development grant budget to support voluntary organisations during the following financial year.

2.2 Project Development Grant

This grant is available to assist voluntary youth groups and organisations to:

· Set up new projects, assist with curriculum development work including trips and youth exchanges

· Provide items of equipment and furniture

· Assist with building expenditure and running costs

· Support some salary costs for short term projects

Applications are submitted for approval to the Hampshire County Council Youth Panel which meets three times a year

Deadline dates to submit an application are:

15^th January for March Panel

15^th April for July Panel

15^th September for November Panel

3. Criteria for Grant Aid

To be eligible for support the voluntary youth group or organisation must:

3.1 Work with young people in Hampshire County Council area.

3.2 Work with young people, at least 50% of whom are in the 13 - 19 year age range; the others being within the whole age range 11-25 years.

3.3 Use grant to fund work with 13 - 19 year age range only.

3.4 Demonstrate how their organisation or project meets the priorities, aims and objectives of the County Youth Service and Connexions Service. Including having policy statements and guidelines in place for Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Child Protection and Quality Assurance.

3.5 Seek no more than 50% of the required funding as grant aid from Hampshire County Council.

3.6 Apply for funding from other sources such as district/Borough Councils, business or other sponsorship.

3.7 Be a `not for profit' organisation or project.

3.8 Ensure that the project/work does not take place before the date of presentation to the appropriate Youth Panel. (See deadline dates above)

Organisations and Projects will be required to complete the appropriate Application Form (Annual Revenue or Project Development). The following is a checklist of information that will be required:

4. Budget

Total Grants budget: £195,600

Annual Revenue Grants: County organisations £ 65,000

Training £ 15,000

Local organisations £ 80,000

(allocated by formula)

Project Development Grants £ 35,600