BCF Vital for Berkshire – deadline16 January 2025

Article date
12 December 2024
Primary interest
Voluntary sector

The BCF Vital for Berkshire fund aims to support charities, community groups and projects that work to tackle the most salient and pressing issues within Berkshire’s communities.

Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible to apply for a grant, charities, community groups or voluntary organisations must be improving the lives of disadvantaged people in Berkshire and fit the following criteria:

  1.  Be a not-for-profit, voluntary or community group, social enterprise/CIC or registered charity
  2. Have a Governing Document (Constitution/Set of Rules)
  3. Have a Management Committee/Board of Trustees
  4. Have a bank account in the name of the group, with a minimum of two unrelated cheque signatories
  5. Be able to provide up-to-date accounts
  6. Have returned evaluation forms for any previously received grants
  7. Have safeguarding and equality policies which comply with current legislation
  8. Be helping the disadvantaged and provide a benefit to the community with clear and achievable outcomes
  9. Provide evidence that there is a need for work and must not be duplicating the work of other groups and organisations
  10. Have an itemised budget
What are the funder priorities?

Projects that support vital needs in Berkshire, such as (but not limited to): physical and mental health, supporting young and vulnerable people or groups, combating isolation, tackling poverty and disadvantage, offering equal opportunities for all, and more.

Applications are also invited to enable groups to fund their essential resources in order to secure services for their beneficiaries in the current cost of living crisis.

How much can organisations apply for?

Grants up to a maximum of £5,000 will be considered, subject to funding availability.

Applications without the required supporting information will not be considered.

What the funding can be used for

The funding can be used to enable groups to fund their essential resources in order to secure services for their beneficiaries in the current cost of living crisis, with a focus on disadvantage and inequality.

Is there a deadline?

Application forms must be completed online and submitted by 10am on Thursday 16 January 2025.

Find out more/how to apply
  • To start the application process, applicants will need to complete this online Expression of Interest form.
  • Once this form has been submitted, an email with the next steps and, if appropriate, a link to an application form will be sent to you.
  • Applicants will be informed of the Grants Committee’s decision in March 2025.
  • To know more about this funding, further details are available on the Funder’s website.
Further support

For further support from RVA with preparing your application or the policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Vass at herjeet.vass@rva.org.uk