QPSW Relief Grants - Advisory Notes 2012

Advisory notes 

The purpose of QPSW relief grants

All projects requesting support should be for the relief of people who are suffering as a result of natural disasters, climate change, war or conflict but not for immediate crisis relief. 

All projects should come through a Britain Yearly Meeting Quaker link; that is a sponsoring individual or group.

• The project, or the application for funding for an existing project, should arise from the concern of Friends, supported through at least their local meetings.
• Minutes of support from Meetings are expected. 

A key element in assessing grants will be sustainability. This needs to be evident in a number of ways.

• The project itself should be about assisting people to move to a sustainable or more sustainable situation.
• The projects should be moving towards financial sustainability or completion by the end of the term of any grant awarded.
• Consideration of and efforts towards environmental sustainability should be a feature of any project. 

Geographical limitations.

• There are no geographical limitations to the projects.
• Up to 25% of the funds available in any year may be awarded to projects for relief of people within the UK. 

Scale of grants.

• There is a guideline maximum sum of £6,000 per project, per year. (This level of funding may be only part of the funding necessary for the project and applicants will need to give consideration to the prospects of other sources of funding in assessing the viability and sustainability of a project.)
• Single payments might be made but grants for two or three years will be considered. 

Reporting and accountability.

• Precise reporting arrangements will be agreed for each project if funds are granted.
• The Quaker link and the ‘project manager’ are required to produce at least an annual report on the project.
• Management accounts at least and possibly copies of bank statements are required for financial reporting. For larger projects, audited accounts may be required
• Where other funds have been promised, evidence will be required that they have been received. 

Critical dates.

• Application forms can be requested from October
• Requests for an application form must be made by 31^st December. (Friends House closes between Christmas and New Year. Requests made during this period will be dealt with when it reopens but Friends are encouraged to apply earlier to ensure they have enough time to do justice to their applications.)
• The closing date for fully completed application forms is 31st January
• Decisions will be notified by 1^st April 

Application and decision procedures

• All applications must be made on a fully completed application form though further supporting material can be appended.
• Applications are considered once a year only.
• Decisions are made by the QPSW Grants Group with professional advice as necessary. 

Publicity 

• The Grants will be advertised annually in The Friend and to Meetings in BYM through Friends House mailings. 

Application requests and completed forms to:

Kristin Skarsholt
Friends House
173 Euston Road
London NW1 2BJ

Email: kristins@quaker.org.uk

Telephone: 0207 663 1117

October 2010