Starter Grants

Hull CVS administers this small grants scheme funded by the Sir James Reckitt Charity via two types of grants:

One-off Grants of up to £150 are available for small, relatively new groups; and Repeat (annual) grants of up to £200 are available to tiny self-help type groups.

• Small self help-help groups (for example, but not restricted to; neighbourhood networks, BME groups, local health and wellbeing groups) based in Hull and who have an annual income less than £2,000 that find it difficult to access funding can apply each year.
• Genuinely autonomous groups that are just getting themselves off the ground can apply.  
• Three or more people who want to try to set up a new group can apply to have a room paid for, or some publicity printed to get their group off the ground.

• Groups cannot apply for anything that is about promotion of religion or to run activities that are war-like, or for anything that is political.
• Groups that have already received funding from the Sir James Reckitt charity in the same financial year cannot apply.
• Groups that are not based in Hull.
• Groups that have an annual income of more than £2000 in the last financial year (whether from grants, donations, or fundraising activities) cannot apply.
• Development Workers cannot apply on behalf of groups they are helping, although they can give support to groups to help them to apply.
• Groups cannot apply for something for an individual.

Starter Grants are intended to help new groups get established; a grant can be used to pay for whatever a small group needs to get itself off the ground.

That might include things like – booking a room, printing posters or newsletters to encourage new members, paying for stamps and phone calls, paying bus fares or mileage allowance for volunteers and committee members (enabling them to do what is necessary to get the groups going), or buying resources to start running activities.

We will need to see a copy of your governing document or a set of rules if your group has them. If your group has not adopted a Constitution (or similar document) and it does not have a set of rules don’t worry, you may still be able to apply for a Starter Grant. If your group is very new, you might need a Starter Grant to pay for things while you work up to the point where you adopt a Constitution.

We recognise that small self-help groups are often very informal and do not always have a Constitution. We also understand that this often means that it can be very difficult to access other grant funding. We are keen to support these types of groups and we help you with writing your Constitution or set of rules.

Your group will need to have a club or society account in the name of the group, which requires two signatures on a cheque or to draw money out of the bank. If your group does not have a club or society account and your application for a grant is successful we will contact you to discuss the grant payment.

We will need to see a copy of your group annual accounts, if you have them prepared. If your group needs help preparing annual accounts, Hull CVS can help you with this. You will need them in the future if your group is going to apply for grants from other funders.

If your group does not have annual accounts we may ask to see a copy of a recent bank statement in the name of the group. However if your group is so new, and you are unsure whether the group will actually get going, and hasn’t opened a bank account yet, Hull CVS can pay for purchases and resources on your behalf up to the value of the grant awarded.

NB: in this case, you must wait to hear if your application for a grant has been successful, and we have contacted you to make the arrangements, before you book your room or order your printing. Invoices will need to be made payable to Hull CVS. Please also note we cannot reimburse an individual for money they have already paid on your behalf.

We find that many groups that are successful which do not have a group bank account at the time of applying for a grant often use the grant payment to open an account in the name of the group.

Complete the online Application Form. Once you have completed the form remember to click the submit button at the end of the form.

We will contact you within 5 working days to advise you that we have received your application. Eligible applications are considered by Hull CVS and you will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.

If your application is successful, you will be asked to call into our offices on Beverley Road to verify the identity of two of your committee members and also sign a grant agreement before we can send you your grant payment.

We will contact you after a year to find out how your group is doing and how you used your Starter Grant. You will be required to complete an end of grant report.

If your application is unsuccessful you will be told why and offered information about other grants that your group may be eligible to apply for.

If you are unhappy with the decision regarding your application for a grant, and you think it was not given fair consideration, you must contact the Funding & Grants Officer at Hull CVS. Your reasons can be taken to the next meeting of Hull CVS Trustees who will make a final decision. If you are unhappy with any other aspect of the way your application is treated, you can complain in writing. Your complaint will be considered in line with Hull CVS Complaints Policy.

If you would like any further help or assistance to apply for grants for your group, or if you would like help to set your group, please get in touch with us.