Voluntary and Third Sector organisations in West Lothian are now able to apply for a share of £200,000, thanks to council funding.

West Lothian Council’s Ambition Fund aims to enable third sector organisations to increase their capacity to improve and grow existing and new services.

The fund can be used to:

• Purchase equipment which would improve their ability to develop and/or deliver services
• Support the development of existing and/or new services by front-loading staff and other costs
• Provide match funding for grants from external organisations for investment in new projects to deliver in new projects to lever in additional external funding to pilot, develop and/or improve delivery of services

Applicants must have a Constitution and/or Articles of Association and a bank account in the name of the organisation. Confirmation that a minimum of two people eg Chair and Treasurer, are required to sign and counter-sign cheques.

The latest version of Audited or Independently Examined annual accounts should be provided and confirmation that surpluses or profits are retained and not distributed.

There are two levels of funding: Between £5,000 to £20,000 and over £20,000. Any applications for more than £20,000 have to demonstrate that significant levels of ‘match’ funding are available.

West Lothian Council has invested £200,000 in 2017/18 for the programme. The deadline for applications is 31 July 2017. Projects will be expected to commence in 2017/18 and be completed within 12 months of funding approval.

Application forms are available from both West Lothian Council’s website (www.westlothian.gov.uk/) and the Voluntary Sector Gateway West Lothian’s website (http://www.voluntarysectorgateway.org/)

Please send your completed applications to: Ian.Hepburn@westlothian.gov.uk

So do you think you know what Tesco Bags of Help funds?  Read on as the Bags of Help team have been listening to applicants, customers and Tesco colleague feedback so we’ve made some immediate improvements:

• Apply anytime for projects that bring benefits to the community;
• Projects can be outdoor or indoor improvements, activities and equipment purchases;
• Apply for capital and revenue funding between £1000 and £4000;
• Simpler online application process;
• Community groups, schools, charities, local authorities and not for profits can all apply.

To ensure that the programme is really local the number of projects funded every two months has been increased.  We will still fund projects that improve or encourage the use of outdoor spaces such as allotments and community gardens.  But now grants can also fund buying items such as sports kits, camping equipment, spades, litter pickers or specialised medical equipment and improvements to community buildings.

These are just some examples so if you’ve got a question or need help with your application please contact our friendly team of Scottish enablers – you can find their contact details here http://bit.ly/scotbagsofhelp

Following a public vote in Tesco stores every two months, three projects in each of the local Tesco store areas will receive a grant, with first place receiving up to £4000, second place up to £2000 and third place £1000.

For information on how to apply please click http://bit.ly/bagsofhelp4

Bags of Help is administered by Groundwork – which is working with greenspace scotland to support applicants and successful projects in Scotland.

The Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) allows eligible charities and Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) to claim top-up payments from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on small cash donations that they receive.  The scheme is specifically for cash donations of £20 and under, and does not include cheques, bank transfers, credit cards or text donations.

Your charity or Community Amateur Sports Club (registered with HMRC) must have been active for at least the last two tax years and be claiming Gift Aid.  Unlike Gift Aid GASDS is not a tax relief scheme, but the two are interlinked.  There is strict eligibility criteria for GASDS, so you are advised to check with HMRC to see if you charity or Community Amateur Sports Club could benefit.

Other Community Toolkit Topics to look at:
Gift Aid
Tax Reliefs
Financial Management and Reporting
Charitable Status
Tax Exemptions for Sports Clubs

Further sources of information
Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme – HMRC website
Gift Aid – HMRC website
Gift Aid for Community Sports Clubs – HMRC website
Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR)

Esmond Sage is the Cycling Development Officer responsible for West Lothian, and is helping organisations get funding for and deliver events in the Big Bike Revival.  This is a series of events happening until the end of October to help get non and lapsed cyclists try out cycling for everyday journeys, and promote the general wellbeing of cycling as a mode of transport.  You can find more information and videos on our project page here: http://www.cyclinguk.org/project/big-bike-revival

We still have some funding available for organisations who are interested to do events in October.  These can be things like led rides, bike fixing sessions, or cycle skills workshops.  Anything, really, that communicates and develops the pleasure of bike riding as a way of getting around.  As you can see, our timescale is very tight, but we are keen to work with groups to deliver the grant as quickly as possible and support them throughout the process.

Contact:
Esmond Sage
Cycling Developent Officer (East) – Big Bike Revival Scotland
Mobile: 07887567368
Email: esmond.sage@cyclinguk.org
Twitter: @BBRScotEast
Web: www.cyclinguk.org

Foundation Scotland are running a FREE webinar covering Community Benefit Funds across Scotland.  Foundation Scotland is a registered charity that makes grants to good causes in Scotland on behalf of a wide range of individuals and organisations.  This webinar is targeted at community groups or interested parties who are looking to run or access Community Benefit Funds and would benefit from learning about best practice in this area.

Foundation Scotland is a registered charity that makes grants to good causes in Scotland on behalf of a wide range of individuals and organisations.  Working with over 130 communities and a wide range of commercial and non-profit developers, their Communities Team has supported the set-up and on-going operation of over 40 community funds linked to onshore wind farms and other infrastructure developments.  The Team is located across Scotland and has been recruited for its experience in both grant-making and working with communities.  They favour an approach which takes a long term view, promotes and harnesses community strengths and supports decision making processes that are inclusive, accountable and community-led.

This webinar will provide an overview of:
some learning around community benefit funds to-date
the various fund management models that the Foundation has developed in partnership with local communities
the services Foundation Scotland can provide (for communities and developers)
the range of funds Foundation Scotland currently administer.

Community benefit funds are discretionary funds that may be provided to communities by companies developing and operating projects in a local area.  Community funds often provide significant opportunities for the communities involved, but can also bring real challenges in ensuring they deliver maximum impact and are disbursed in an accountable way.  Foundation Scotland has been working with developers and communities since 2007 to create tailored investment and distribution solutions.  They administer nearly £3 million in community benefit payments annually.  Clients include SSE, EDF Energy Renewables, RWE Innogy UK, EON Climate & Renewables, Falck Renewables and a growing number of community organisations responsible for funds from renewable energy developments.

For further information, and to book your place visit the registration page

Great news –  in order to give Tesco customers a say much more frequently on where their money goes the Tesco Bags of Help grant scheme is now permanently open for applications from a wide range of community groups, schools, local authorities and organisations.  Bags of Help will now see the money raised by the 5p bag charge in Tesco stores opened up to a greater range of projects that support community participation in the development and use of open spaces.

Projects that will now get the green light as a result of the funding will include volunteer training, physical improvements of open spaces, equipment purchases, community events and sports and leisure activities.

Following a public vote in Tesco stores, three projects in each of the Tesco regions will receive a grant each month, with first place receiving up to £5K, second place up to £2K and third place up to £1K.  Bags of Help is administered by Groundwork, working in Scotland with greenspace scotland.  Full eligibility criteria and detailed application guidance is available online here http://bit.ly/bagsofhelp3

We have a team of Community Enablers that can provide support or advice when submitting your application.  Find their details http://bit.ly/scotbagsofhelp