Introduction – Overview of the funding
The Postcode Society Trust promotes its own society lottery for the sole purpose of raising funds for good causes.
The funding is intended for smaller charities and good causes in the south of England to make a difference to their communities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Local charities and other not-for-profit organisations based and working in the south of England can apply.
To be eligible, applicants must have:
- An income of less than £1 million in the most recent financial year.
- A governing document in the name of their organisation with charitable objectives.
- A UK bank account in the name of their organisation with two unrelated signatories.
- Signed accounts with income and expenditure for the most recent financial year or a 12 month financial forecast with income and expenditure for new organisations.
What are the funder priorities?
To support decision making, priority will be given to charities and good causes which meet some or all of the following criteria:
- Funding organisations with an annual income of £250,000 and below
- Funding for communities that rank as being within the top 15% on the English Indices of Deprivation Funding for groups that are set up to support people from the following minority/marginalised groups:
Communities experiencing racial inequity
Disabled people
LGBT+ people
How much can organisations apply for?
The following organisations can apply for grants of between £500 and £2,500:
- Constituted voluntary organisations with no charity number
- Excepted and exempted charities
- Companies limited by guarantee with an asset lock
- Parochial Church Councils.
The following types of organisations can apply for grants of between £500 and £25,000:
- Community Interest Companies with an asset lock
- Charitable Community Benefit Societies
- Charities registered with the Charity Commission
What the funding can be used for
The funding is for projects that have a clear alignment with one of the Trust’s themes for 2024:
- Enabling participation in physical activity
- Enabling participation in the arts
- Preventing or reducing the impact of poverty
- Supporting marginalised groups and tackling inequality
- Improving biodiversity and responding to the climate emergency
- Improving green spaces and increasing access to the outdoors
- Providing support to improve mental health with a focus on organisations that are actively supporting specific mental health issues rather than general mental wellbeing activities.
The funding offered is unrestricted and therefore flexible. It can be used however it is most needed. The funding should be spent within 18 months.
Is there a deadline?
The next round will opens on 26 August 2024 at 9am.
Find out more/how to apply
All applications must be made by completing the application form which is available on the Postcode Society Trust website, where the Funding Guide and other relevant details can also be found.
Further support from RVA
For further support from RVA with preparing your application or the policies and procedures required for this funding, contact Herjeet Randhawa at herjeet.randhawa@rva.org.uk