PRE-Application FAQS
(Frequently Asked Questions!)
Q: Do we have to be a registered charity to apply for a grant?
A: No. We specifically want to be able to help clubs, groups and small charities. The organisation must be offering some benefit to the local community (North Lancashire/South Cumbria), and have a website or social media page we can see to verify this. It also needs to have existed for at least 3-6 months and can show proof that it is achieving its aims. Finally it must have its own bank account as we cannot transfer grants to personal bank accounts.
Q: I have never applied for a grant before and I am not sure where I should start?
A: We focus on supporting smaller organisations and we realise they are almost always run by volunteers with limited experience of fundraising. We are happy to provide guidance and help; so we suggest you start by reading this page of Frequently Asked Questions, and if you are still unsure please contact us with your details and we will be happy to discuss how best to proceed.
Q: How many grants are available?
A: The 3R Foundation is a non-profit charity so all profits from the 3R Charity Shop, after running costs/expenses, will be made available as grants. Obviously this amount will vary depending on how busy the shop has been but we aim to be distributing at least one or two grants per week.
QUICK TIP: As we would prefer to help as many organisations as possible there will be more smaller value £250 and £500 grants than large ones though! So if you apply for £1,000 you may have much less chance of being successful - unless it really grabs the attention of the Grants Committee!
Q: Do you offer larger grants for bigger projects?
A: The 3R Foundation has specifically set out to support smaller clubs and groups with £250 to £1,000 grants that can be processed and provided quickly and efficiently. However the board of Trustees do have the facility for special 'Trustees Discretionary Grants' for those exceptional cases that come to their attention. If you have a project that you feel deserves special consideration then please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it prior to an application.
Q: What sort of projects do you offer grants for?
A: We prefer to provide grants for tangible items, equipment, products, or hardware. eg an item or items of equipment, white goods or kitchen hardware, repairs to a clubhouse, branded clothing for volunteers, signage, plants/trees or marketing materials. All these can usually then be photographed in some way and publicised, which raises the awareness for your organisation and our fundraising work.
Q: What do you NOT offer grants for?
A: We are sorry but don't offer grants for general expenses, staff costs/wages, running costs, travel, accommodation or anything on an application that is not for something specific. We also do not usually offer grants for part funded larger projects, unless there are exceptional circumstances. If in doubt, or if you would like to discuss a specific project further please contact us.
A: No. We specifically want to be able to help clubs, groups and small charities. The organisation must be offering some benefit to the local community (North Lancashire/South Cumbria), and have a website or social media page we can see to verify this. It also needs to have existed for at least 3-6 months and can show proof that it is achieving its aims. Finally it must have its own bank account as we cannot transfer grants to personal bank accounts.
Q: I have never applied for a grant before and I am not sure where I should start?
A: We focus on supporting smaller organisations and we realise they are almost always run by volunteers with limited experience of fundraising. We are happy to provide guidance and help; so we suggest you start by reading this page of Frequently Asked Questions, and if you are still unsure please contact us with your details and we will be happy to discuss how best to proceed.
Q: How many grants are available?
A: The 3R Foundation is a non-profit charity so all profits from the 3R Charity Shop, after running costs/expenses, will be made available as grants. Obviously this amount will vary depending on how busy the shop has been but we aim to be distributing at least one or two grants per week.
QUICK TIP: As we would prefer to help as many organisations as possible there will be more smaller value £250 and £500 grants than large ones though! So if you apply for £1,000 you may have much less chance of being successful - unless it really grabs the attention of the Grants Committee!
Q: Do you offer larger grants for bigger projects?
A: The 3R Foundation has specifically set out to support smaller clubs and groups with £250 to £1,000 grants that can be processed and provided quickly and efficiently. However the board of Trustees do have the facility for special 'Trustees Discretionary Grants' for those exceptional cases that come to their attention. If you have a project that you feel deserves special consideration then please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it prior to an application.
Q: What sort of projects do you offer grants for?
A: We prefer to provide grants for tangible items, equipment, products, or hardware. eg an item or items of equipment, white goods or kitchen hardware, repairs to a clubhouse, branded clothing for volunteers, signage, plants/trees or marketing materials. All these can usually then be photographed in some way and publicised, which raises the awareness for your organisation and our fundraising work.
Q: What do you NOT offer grants for?
A: We are sorry but don't offer grants for general expenses, staff costs/wages, running costs, travel, accommodation or anything on an application that is not for something specific. We also do not usually offer grants for part funded larger projects, unless there are exceptional circumstances. If in doubt, or if you would like to discuss a specific project further please contact us.
Q: SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT SPORTS KIT GRANT REQUESTS
A: We continually receive a large number of grant requests for sports kit, and in the case of the busier football clubs in particular this has led to multiple requests for all the various age group teams (eg under 10's, under 12's etc). So we suggest that where it could be demonstrated that a club could attract sponsorship using tried and tested methods (which is typically from local small businesses, often run by parents), that this would be more appropriate than applying for a 3R grant, which are really aimed at, and more suitable for, purchasing sports equipment and repairs to facilities for example.
However, that said, we will consider applications from the less well followed/non-mainstream sports that do not typically attract the same levels of sponsorship.
So if in doubt, or if you would like to discuss a specific project further please contact us before making an application.
A: We continually receive a large number of grant requests for sports kit, and in the case of the busier football clubs in particular this has led to multiple requests for all the various age group teams (eg under 10's, under 12's etc). So we suggest that where it could be demonstrated that a club could attract sponsorship using tried and tested methods (which is typically from local small businesses, often run by parents), that this would be more appropriate than applying for a 3R grant, which are really aimed at, and more suitable for, purchasing sports equipment and repairs to facilities for example.
However, that said, we will consider applications from the less well followed/non-mainstream sports that do not typically attract the same levels of sponsorship.
So if in doubt, or if you would like to discuss a specific project further please contact us before making an application.
Q: Do you need to see quotes for what we hope to purchase?
A: Ideally yes, as any proof you can provide to show what you hope to purchase makes everything nice and clear for our grants committee, so they are better informed to be able to consider your application. This could be an official quote if it's for something like repairs to a club house. Or it could simply be a link to a product in an online shop as proof of the cost.
QUICK TIP: A large number of applications are delayed, or even rejected, if they are too vague, or do not state the specific item and cost that is being applied for.
Q: Who decides which organisations will get a grant?
A: The 3R Foundation Grants Committee is made up of volunteers from the board of trustees and shop team members, so they have a say in where the funds they have helped to raise could be most useful.
Q: How soon will I hear from you after I apply for a grant?
A: The 3R Foundation Grants Committee meets every month so your application will be considered at the next meeting meaning that it will be between 2 to 6 weeks before you hear back from us. If you accept a grant offer then the funds will be paid to you a few days later.
Q: What do you expect from us in return if we are successful?
A: We would expect to see photos of how our grants have been used so we can add them to our website and social media. We would also expect that successful organisations will spread the word about their grant, via their website and social media, and also help us spread the word about visiting the shop, donating items we can sell and telling other organisations to apply for a grant!
Q: How will we receive payment if we are successful?
A: Funds will be transferred to your organisations bank account which you will be expected to include with your original application. We hope it would be obvious but just to be clear, we cannot make payments to a personal bank account.
Q: Is there a timescale for completing a a grant funded project?
A: We realise that sometimes projects can take more time than expected, for all sorts of reasons. But as we only offer relatively small grants we would expect them to take no longer than a few weeks before we can sign them off as complete and publicise them via social media. If a project is likely to take longer than a couple of months we would expect regular updates!
Q: Can we reapply if we are unsuccessful?
A: Of course. We would love to be able to help every organisation that applies to us for a grant, but inevitably we will only be able to distribute what profits we have for each round of applications. So if you are unsuccessful please wait a few months and apply again.
QUICK TIP: Maybe try for a smaller grant as we have more of those available!
Q: Can we apply again after we have received a grant?
A: Yes you can, but we would suggest leaving a reasonable amount of time to allow other organisations a fair chance. We would suggest at least 4-6 months.
Q: I don't want to apply for a grant but I would like to help?
A: You could simply visit the shop and check out the bargains, donate some items we can sell, or tell other organisations to apply for a grant! Or you could volunteer to serve our lovely customers in the shop for a few hours a week, help in our sorting room behind the scenes, drive or assist on our delivery van, or even PAT test electrical goods (training provided). We can find a role for all ages and all abilities, so why not contact us or call in for a chat?
