Who can apply:

Constituted grass roots community and voluntary groups

Criteria:

• Priority will be given to applications from small groups, typically with an annual income of less than £200,000, as evidenced in most recent set of accounts
• Projects must aim to directly support one of the following specific groups:
  • Young people
  • Older people
  • People with disabilities
• The Fund will not support projects targeting all ages.
• Priority will be given to projects that will benefit groups dealing with disadvantage (e.g. rural isolation, low income, social exclusion, reduced access to services), and projects that involve the beneficiaries in their development and delivery.

Examples of types of projects that may be supported within Fund themes:

• Community education and training opportunities
• Communication and leadership skills
• Local initiatives to improve resources and community facilities
• Creativity and self-expression through drama, music or a range of arts activities
• Inclusion and involvement of disadvantaged communities
• Out of school projects for young people

The Foundation will not fund organisations or activities which promote causes that are contrary to our purposes. Causes and activities that are contrary to our purposes include, but may not be limited to, those outlined in our investment policy. We will not therefore fund organisations or activities which we determine are linked to the promotion of armaments, alcohol, human rights abuses, tobacco or pornography.

The fund will also not support organisations who advance religion, including those who have purposes within their governance to advance religion, or who seek financial support for any projects aimed at advancing a particular religion.

In addition, the Telecommunity Fund will not support:

• The advancement of religion.  This includes organisations whose purposes include advancement of religion
• The establishment of endowment of any school or institution providing further education within the meaning of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1972
• The provision of assistance to any Housing Association within the meaning of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1976
• Promotion of religious or political activity, including any flags and emblems that may deem to be associated with such
• Community Interest Companies (CICs) Limited by Shares, or CICs without an asset lock clause.  Eligible CICs must have at least three unrelated committee members, and/or the majority of the committee must be unrelated
• Individuals
• Salary costs and ongoing running costs
• Capital projects and large equipment (generally over £1,000)
• Trips outside Northern Ireland, holidays away and one-off residentials are ineligible, however, trips may be eligible within Northern Ireland at the panel’s discretion as long as they are essential to a longer term project
• Sports activities
• Funding for projects that are already taking place and looking for retrospective funding
• Replacement for statutory funding
• Portable IT equipment (except in exceptional circumstances and at panel’s discretion, for example IT equipment for disabled beneficiaries which is specialised and necessary for their development)

Telecommunity Fund Application Guidance Top tips

Pre application: 

• Read the guidance notes and ensure you are eligible to apply and your project meets the funding criteria
• Talk to the Grants Team – to confirm eligibility and iron out any queries you may have
• Think about the long term value of your project. The fund does not prioritise one off trips, or very short term projects. Ensure what you are applying for you would like to apply for is eligible
• Have your supporting documentation ready to upload (in one file rather than separate pages, per document) as part of your application, before the final closing date

During application: 

• Check your budgets and ensure you can deliver on spend and project targets
• Keep answers concise and accurate, there is no need to go above 300 – 500 words
• Tell us about the project you are requesting funding for and clearly show the need, and link the identified need with the fund criteria
• Complete all questions on the application form accurately, e.g. committee details
• Submit the required documents as per the guidance notes, e.g. governing document

Post application: 

• Keep a record of your application
• If you are unsuccessful, ask for feedback to help improve your chances of success for future projects
• If successful, ensure that you spend the money as agreed in your letter of offer and keep any receipts that you may have, and evidence of the numbers attending, and evaluations for events. This will help you complete your end of grant form when your project is complete
• Ensure you complete your end of grant monitoring form on time. If you are having any problems with your project, in particular spend, please contact the Grants Team as soon as you can to discuss
• Take photographs and ask those who participated in your project for quotations. This will help show the real value and impact that your project has had
• And finally, use the learning to think about how you might be able to develop the project further. Think about what other funds you might apply for, to further develop the project.

Talk to the Grants Team for advice! 

Examples of previously funded projects: 

• A 6 week programme of music therapy for children with autism.
• A creative arts and crafts programme for older people.
• The provision of an afterschool homework club in conjunction with a youth club.
• A 12 month drama therapy programme for adults with learning disabilities.
• A six week youth programme to design and produce outside art in the playground.

Expected application responses: 

Section 1: Organisation 

Please provide up-to-date and accurate information; this includes organisation details and contact information.

Question: Please provide the overall aims and objectives of your organisation and the activities/services your organisation provides

• Provide a concise summary of your organisation, including aims, objectives and the activities and services it provides.

Section 2: Project 

This section focuses on the project at the heart of your application. Question: What needs and disadvantage will your project address and what opportunities will you create?

• What needs are being targeted through your project.
• How have you identified these needs?
• Need can be identified through statistical information/formal research, local knowledge and consultation or a combination of both methods. Eg community consultation or Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) statistics, or any other research reports specific to the need identified.
• Remember to explain the opportunities your project will have against the identified need.

Question: How will you spend the grant to address need in your area?

• Be specific in telling us what your project is, and provide details.
• Project description. For example, arts, drama, music for young people or people with a disability or older people.
• Project details such as length and frequency. For example once a week for 12 weeks, supporting xx number of people.
• Link to addressing need in your area, for example as a result of the programme the following need will be met by…

Question: What positive changes would this grant make to the lives of the people who use your project / service?

• Tell us the expected outcomes/actions delivered as a result of the project. Be as specific as you can, for example: reduction of isolation for those living in areas disadvantaged as a result of the lack of access to services and facilities, enhanced wellbeing etc.

Question: Please explain how your project meets the fund criteria as specified in the fund guidance notes?

• Organisation income must be under £200,000.
• The project must target one of the following groups; young people (aged 18 and under), older people or people with a disability. How does your project link to one of the fund themes? Identify at least one of the fund theme below:
• Community education and training opportunities
• Communication and leadership skills
• Local initiatives to improve resources and community facilities
• Creativity and self-expression through drama, music or a range of arts activities
• Inclusion and involvement of disadvantaged communities
• Out of school projects for young people

Section 3: Impact 

• This section should reflect the people who will benefit directly from the project.

Section 4: Budget 

• Be clear and concise in budget headings
• Consider eligible and ineligible costs

Ineligible budget items: 

• Individuals
• Salary costs and ongoing running costs
• Capital projects and large equipment (generally over £1,000)
• Trips outside Northern Ireland, holidays away and one-off residentials are ineligible, however, trips may be eligible within Northern Ireland at the panel’s discretion as long as they are essential to a longer term project
• Sports activities
• Promotion of religion or party politics
• Funding for projects that are already taking place and looking for retrospective funding
• Replacement for statutory funding
• Portable IT equipment (except in exceptional circumstances and at panel’s discretion, for example IT equipment for disabled beneficiaries which is specialised and necessary for their development)

Eligible budget items: 

• Facilitators/tutor fees
• Venue hire (not your own premises)
• Small items of equipment, eg craft/arts materials
• Transport, if approved as part of larger project
• Refreshments, if approved as part of a larger project
• Ingredients for healthy eating course
• PR costs, including materials such as leaflet design and printing

Finally, Good Luck!

Please note that this is a competitive process and that the Telecommunity Fund is normally significantly oversubscribed. Under the most recent funding round (March 2022 ) – 68% of applicants were successful.

Applying for The Telecommunity Fund

The Telecommunity Fund is open on an ongoing basis. The applications are assessed at panel meetings held approximately 3-4 times per year.

The next panel meeting will take place on Tuesday 7 June 2022, therefore applications submitted after Tuesday 3nd May at 12 noon will not be considered in this round.

It is recommended that you read our Grant FAQs before starting your grant application. Should you have any further questions please contact the Grants Team on 028 9024 5927.