What is the purpose of the fund?
With a focus on improving health and wellbeing in the broadest sense, the Connecting You Seed Funding aims to make a difference right down at street level within our communities in the Rochdale Borough.
The funding pot has been termed a ‘seed fund’ because we see this funding as the seed from which activities and communities grow. The term seed suggests that this is a very early investment, meant to support the project until it can become self-sustaining.
What is the fund criteria?
Your application to the fund must demonstrate how it will meet all 5 key criteria:
Enabling– working with our current or new community groups to quickly and easily support them
Responding– to opportunities and gaps identified within our communities
Connecting– reaching and involving more community members as a result of the funding
Targeting– specific groups such as, long term conditions, or areas agreed at neighbourhood level
Building– adding value to your community though an essential ‘trade’ criteria where the receiving group are asked to offer a give-back in a community contribution.
There are 5 priorities to bid against focused on fun, connecting people and ultimately improving lifestyles.These priorities have also been identified because they are centred on evidence based approaches which impact on the seed funding theme of improving wellbeing and reduce pressure on services:
- Arts and culture
- Walking and physical activity
- Growing and cooking
- Connect 5 / mental wellbeing
- Self-care / people supporting people around health conditions
General information:
We will fund revenue and activity costs, equipment and building costs. We’ll also fund staff costs if they are essential to the delivery of the project, for example seated exercise instructor costs.
To secure seed funding it is proposed that groups will be constituted with their own bank accounts. We can provide support if required to achieve this. If groups are not constituted we will work with them to identify alternative arrangements and enable progress.
The funding is for grassroots organisations, particularly emerging local groups as well as charities and other not-for-profit organisations whose focus is on local work (annual income under £100,000).
Only one application for seed funding (either the up to £500 or up to £2,000 - not both) will be accepted per organisation.
We encourage new groups or individuals to apply for funding up to £500. We encourage established, grassroots groups with a turnover of less than £100,000, who may be working on a new project to apply for funding between £501 and £2,000. Anybody applying for between £501 and £2,000 must part of a group which consists of 2+ people.
Organisations or groups could look to collaborate with others if this would be beneficial to the community and would prevent duplication / competition with existing activity.
Applications and decision making:
The Connecting You Seed Fund has an open application system, so groups and organisations can apply anytime. Applications can be submitted throughout the year.
Funding is available for:
Small pots up to £500 each
Projects of up to £2,000
Our maximum community grant is £2,000 but due to increased demands for our funds it is unlikely we will be able to meet your application in full.
For the £500 Connecting You Seed Fund
- Quick and easy, short template to be completed against the criteria.
- Aimed at new grassroots groups.
- Community Builders then provide a statement of support with approval from Rochdale Borough Council..
For the £2,000 Connecting You Seed Fund
- This will be open for applications on an on-going, rolling process against the 5 criteria.
- Aimed at more established, grassroots groups who may be working on a new project.
- Anybody applying for between £501 and £2,000 must part of a group which consists of 2+ people.
- Applicants will initially complete a short application form.
- A Friend's panel has been established for the Rochdale Borough. The panel members will have knowledge and skills regarding the local community and be impartial community representatives. The panel will meet every 4 to 6 weeks to review bids submitted. If you're interested in becoming a panel member please contact hayley.tomlinson@actiontogether.org.uk.
- The panels will make recommendations to Rochdale Borough Council for approval.
- The aim is to make a decision and respond to applicants within 4 to 8 weeks of their submission.
We will ensure a fair, impartial and needs-led distribution of funding across Rochdale borough and between the 5 priorities.
Friends Panel Recruitment - Volunteers
A Friends Panel has been established for the Rochdale Borough to review funding applications. The panel will be community members who have knowledge and skills about the local community and be impartial community representatives.
By getting involved in our panel you can learn new skills and improve your knowledge about your area. After applying we will invite you for an informal chat to find out a little bit more about you and explain the process of the Friends Panel. If you would like to volunteer your time, use your knowledge of your local area and contribute your skills to help support the decisions of the Connecting You Seed Fund, please contact hayley.tomlinson@actiontogether.org.uk.
How to apply:
To apply for the funding please click on the appropriate link below:
Click here for the up to £500 application form.
Click here for the up to £2000 application form.
Click here for the guidance notes for the application forms.
Please send all completed application forms to grants@actiontogether.org.uk or post to: Action Together, 104-106 Drake Street, Rochdale, OL16 1PQ.
If you need any more information or support please email hayley.tomlinson@actiontogether.org.uk or call 0161 339 2345 and ask for Hayley.