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Christal Foundation

Grant size Up to £3,000
Location Lancashire
Opening Date TBC – 2025

What is the Focus of the Fund

The aim of the fund is to support community groups and charities that work to improve the lives of people in Burnley.

Fund Priorities

It is expected that recipients will be able to clearly demonstrate the results of the funding i.e. for test and learn, whether the project/idea can be developed further at the end of the grant or not. The fund can consider community projects that meet at least one of the following priorities:

Provision of seed funding and freedom to help community organisations develop new projects, used as test and learn funding

Projects that may struggle to secure funding from elsewhere.

Gaps in current provision

Feasibility studies

Specific eligibility criteria

  • All activity must be for the benefit of Burnley residents (any age groups). Groups based in other parts of Lancashire are welcome to apply provided work takes place in Burnley or can clearly demonstrate Burnley residents are the beneficiaries.
  • The donor would prefer to be principal funder for the seed/test and learn/feasibility grants, therefore applications based on match funding cannot be considered (unless match funding is from the applicant’s own free reserves).
  • Priority will be given to smaller grassroots organisations who may find this type of funding difficult to secure

What costs can be considered?

Sessional Costs

Volunteer costs

Activity/operational costs

Contribution towards core costs for project development/research.

Small capital items (e.g. equipment, IT)

Amount available

Grants of up to £3,000.

What cannot be funded?

  • Statutory organisations or work that is their responsibility
  • National organisations that cannot demonstrate local governance and control of local finances
  • Commercial ventures
  • CIC’s Limited by Shares
  • Activities that will have already taken place before we offer you a grant
  • Politically connected or exclusively religious activities
  • Projects for personal profit
  • Organisations that are set up solely for the benefit of animals or plants: groups that work with animals or the environment to benefit people are acceptable
  • Groups comprising just one family or organisations that have less than 3 unrelated management committee members/Directors/Trustees
  • Debts and other liabilities
  • Reclaimable VAT
  • Travel outside UK

How to apply?

An online application form can be completed via the “Apply Now” button below. You can attach supporting documents to your online application, or email them to us at applications@cflm.org.uk.

Documents which need to be included with your application:

  1. A copy of your governing document.
  2. A copy of your latest annual accounts or income/expenditure document.
  3. A copy of a recent bank statement for your group. If you do not have a bank account in place, you must be able to nominate another organisation to hold the funds (CVS, another local charity, church etc.).
  4. A list of your Trustees/Directors/Management Committee members. A minimum of three un-related must be in place.
  5. A copy of your current Safeguarding Policy. All applicants must ensure that they hold relevant policies and procedures in place to undertake activities, such as Criminal Records Bureau checks and/or a health and safety policy, depending on proposed activity. If unsure, we recommend taking advice from your local CVS.

If you have applied to us within the last 12 months and provided this information, we do not need you to send it again, although we may require a more recent bank statement.

What’s next?  

Completed applications are considered by Community Foundation staff to check eligibility. You may be contacted for more information after applying and a decision-making panel will make recommendations based on the fund’s criteria and the budget available.