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 19 June 2023 until 31 July 2023.

Is my organisation eligible?

If you are a locally based VCS organisation and at least 75% of your beneficiaries are residents and your income does not exceed £3m a year, then you may be eligible for funding.

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 Charities 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	Type of organisation
Strand 1 - Small Grants Fund	£5,000 - £30,000	For small/micro not for profit organisations. Please apply to K+C Foundation.
Strand 2	£30,000-£150,000	For medium sized charities registered with the Charities Commission
Strand 3	£50,000-£150,000	For infrastructure organisations registered with the Charities 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. For further information follow this link to the grant eligibility criteria.  Grant applicants will need to evidence:

• At least 75% 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.