Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Frequently asked questions about the Voluntary Sector Support Fund.

What do you fund?

We fund organisational core costs such as:

• Management and administration.
• General office expenses.
• Accountancy and audit.
• Communications.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
• Governance, regulatory, and compliance costs.
• Equipment (we will not fund just equipment).

What is the purpose of the grant?

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) Council wants to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable residents and help Kensington and Chelsea to become a fairer borough. The type of outcomes we want VCS organisations to produce are:

• More people have a strong sense of belonging.
• More people have healthy social connections with one another and groups.
• Less people are lonely.
• Less people are isolated.
• More people are in employment, education, and training.
• More people are financially resilient (food, fuel, debt).
• More people are in housing and permanent accommodation.
• More families stay together.
• More people access services they need.

To find out more about the Council priorities related for becoming a fairer borough over the next 4 years, please read the Council Plan 2023 to 2027.

What is the grant award timeframe?

The grant award timeframe is 3 years commencing on 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.

Can I apply for more than one grant?

No, you can only apply for one grant from only one funding strand.

How soon can I apply?

VCS organisations can apply from between 21 June 2023 until 19 August 2023.

Is my organisation eligible?

The council will look more favourably on applicants with an overall 75% of beneficiaries who are local residents. This will be reflected in the amount that organisations may be awarded. Applicants with less than 50% of beneficiaries who are local residents will not be considered.

Each of our three grant strands has a specific eligibility criterion, so it depends on the type of organisation that you are. Strand 1 Small Grants Fund is for not-for-profit small/micro-organisations whilst strand 2 and 3 are for medium sized organisations registered with the Charity Commission. Read our eligibility criteria.

Are there things you don’t fund?

Yes, here are the things we don’t fund:

• Proposals that are based around core budget shortfalls.
• Work that statutory bodies (such as schools or local authorities) have a duty to fund.
• Capital or building projects.
• Work that promotes religion.
• Trips abroad, or other activity taking place outside the UK.
• Bursaries, sponsored places, fees, or similar costs.
• Political activity, including party political organisations or direct lobbying.
• Individuals.
• Costs passed on to other organisations.
• Help with budget shortfalls or debt repayments.
• Work that has already taken place (retrospective funding).
• Expenditure unable to start within 12 months of the grant award date.
• Project specific expenditure.

How much can I ask for?

This depends on the size and type of your organisation. Please note that you may be offered less grant funding than you have applied for. See the table below for further details:

Funding strand	Amount (per application / per Year)	Type of organisation
Strand 1 - Small Grants Fund	£5,000 - £30,000	For small/micro not for profit organisations including registered charities with income less than £100,000 and CICs limited by guarantee. Please apply to K+C Foundation.
Strand 2	£30,000 - £150,000	For medium sized charities registered with the Charity Commission
Strand 3	£50,000 - £150,000	For infrastructure organisations registered with the Charity Commission

What happens after I have applied for funding?

You will be sent an automated email confirming the receipt of your grant application.

Can applications be made by a consortium or partnership?

Yes, you can. There will need to be a lead organisation who would need to submit the grant application on behalf of all partner organisations. The lead organisation would be subject to the due diligence checks and, if successful, would receive the grant funds. Each organisation will be required to sign the grant service level agreement.

How will applications be assessed?

Applications will be assessed against whether they meet the following eligibility criteria. Grant applicants will need to evidence:

• At least 50% of their beneficiaries are residents.
• It is local and based within the borough.
• Its income does not exceed £3m.
• Its legal structure is eligible for either strand 1 or strands 2 and 3.
• It can help to improve outcomes for vulnerable residents.
• It can help Kensington and Chelsea to become a fairer borough.
• It will provide value for money.
• It will collaborate with beneficiaries, partners, and stakeholders.
• It will make a positive social impact in their community.
• It champions the voice of the most vulnerable.

What happens if my application is successful?

If your organisation meets the minimum eligibility requirements, we will write to you in August 2023 asking you to upload further supporting evidence relating to the way your organisation is governed, your financial position and recent published accounts, the relevant policies, and procedures e.g., safeguarding, health and safety, equal opportunities etc.

An officer will arrange to meet with the organisation to agree the delivery schedule (outputs, outcomes, key milestones, reporting requirements etc.) After this meeting, your organisation will be issued with a grant agreement detailing the delivery and monitoring schedule along with our grant terms and conditions.

What happens if my application is unsuccessful?

If your application is unsuccessful, we will write to you outlining why this is the case and what other funding and help might be available.  We do not have an appeal process for you to appeal our decision.

When will the grant fund be released?

Grant funding will be released to successful organisations before 1 April 2024.

How will the grant be monitored?

Grants will be monitored every quarter. You will be required to report against:

• Your beneficiaries and their demographic information.
• Outputs.
• Outcomes.
• Positive impact.
• Financial expenditure.

You should note that all grant awards will be tied to specific outcomes, and we will be publicly reporting on progress towards those outcomes. Council officers will also conduct site visits to see projects in action.

Are bi-borough VCS organisations eligible to apply for the Voluntary Sector Support Fund 2024-27?

Organisations applying for a Voluntary Sector Support Fund 2024-27 grant must be based locally. This is an eligibility requirement. Organisations that work across boroughs e.g. bi-borough VCS organisation be part of a partnership or consortium but the lead partner – making the application to VSSF 2024-27 – must be based locally.

If a new organisation provides financial accounts for one year, can they still apply for this grant?

Yes, new organisations are eligible to apply for the Voluntary Sector Support Fund 2024-27 even if they only have one year’s financial accounts. However, Council officers may request additional documentation such as management accounts.

What is a cashflow forecast?

Cash flow forecast is the process of obtaining an estimate of an organisation’s future financial position; the cash flow forecast is typically based on anticipated payments and receivables.

How are decisions reached about which organisations receive grant funding?

The K+C Foundation will make decision about which organisations receive funding through the Strand 1 Small Grants Fund. These decisions will be endorsed by the Council’s Leadership Team.

For Strands 2 and 3, Council officers will make recommendations about which organisations should be funded. Funding decisions will be made by the Council’s Leadership Team.

Will current VSSF  grantees be able to apply for higher amounts considering the impact of cost of living on VCS organisations?

All applications for the Voluntary Sector Support Fund 2024-27 will be considered on their individual merits, regardless of whether the applicant is a current or a new grantee.

How will the reviewing panel assess the track record of VCS organisations. Will this be based on the information provided in the application form?

The panel will assess the application and supplementary evidence it is presented with. If necessary, officers may undertake further research into the organisation’s track record.