Q: Who can apply for funding?

A: We accept applications from community groups, charities, not-for-profit organisations and community interest companies. Please note that restrictions apply on the amount that can be applied for depending on what type of organisation you are applying from.

Q: How much can I apply for?

A: We provide funding from £500 to £10,000. If you are a registered charity, you can apply for up to £10,000. If you do not have a registered charity number, you can apply for up to £2,000.

Q: What kind of project do you fund?

A: We fund projects that meet one of our six funding criteria, a list of which can be found on our home page. All projects must have a clear charitable purpose with visible results after 3 months. Examples of eligible projects are equipment purchase, building renovation, provision of kit or uniform, construction of a garden…these are just a few ideas. Please take a look at our case studies to see previously successful projects. If you are still unsure if your project is eligible, please contact the Trust Helpdesk on 0131 555 7287 to discuss further.

Q: Do you accept applications from all over the UK?

A: We accept applications from Scotland and England. However, applications are currently closed and will re-open on Monday 11th October. We hope to introduce the application process in Wales in late 2010.

Q: Do you fund projects that will run outside of the UK?

A: No – all projects must demonstrate a direct benefit to Scotland or England. This is because the Trust is 100% funded by the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and all funds must be re-invested into the local communities from which they originated.

Q: How long should my project last?

A: We will only fund projects that last a maximum of 3 months in duration. All projects must be completed and funds spent within 3 months of receipt of award. This criteria is non-negotiable and we will not accept applications for projects that intend to last longer than 3 months.

Q: When should my project run from and to?

A: This varies depending on the round that you are applying in. For the next round of funding (opening on 11th October 2010), your project should be completed between January and March 2011.

Q: Who decides if my project receives funding?

A: All decisions regarding award of funds are made by the Board of Trustees (see the Meet the Team page for more information about our six Trustees). All decisions made by Trustees are final.

Q: Why do I have to provide supporting documents?

A: You must provide the required documents in order to give us as much information about your organisation and the project as possible. Doing so will give your application the best chance of success. If you do not submit all necessary documentation, we will be unable to process your application.

Q: I have two different projects that are both eligible for funding. Can I apply for both?

A: No – we can only accept one application per organisation in any one round of funding. This also applies to different branches of the same organisation. However, an organisation can submit one application for activity in Scotland and another for activity in England within the same round.

Q: What if I have applied to the Trust before? Can I apply again?

A: We encourage previous applicants to apply in future rounds:
- If your previous application was unsuccessful, you can apply again but this must be with a different project. If you have two unsuccessful applications, you will be unable to re-apply for 6 months.
- If your application was successful, you are welcome to apply again, but you must be able to demonstrate that you have complied with all funding requirements for your previous funded project prior to re-applying.

Q: How many times can I apply to People’s Postcode Trust?

A: We have four rounds of funding in a year, and in theory, organisations can apply in every round. However, it is still the case that if your application has been unsuccessful, you must apply with a different project, and if you have had two unsuccessful applications, you must wait 6 months before applying again.

Q: My project was awarded funding from the Trust, but unforeseen circumstances have caused a delay. What can I do?

A: If you realise that there will be a delay to your project and you will not be able to complete within the required 3 months, please contact us as soon as possible. It is vital that you make us aware of any issues regarding your project so that we can work with you to help try to resolve them. If you fail to comply with these funding policies, we will not accept future applications from your organisation.

Q: The items I wanted to purchase with the awarded funds are no longer available. What should I do?

A: We understand that there may be circumstances that mean you are unable to spend the money in the way you intended (i.e. items are out of stock, installation proves impossible etc). As per the above, you must contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to purchase the goods as described in your application. You must put your request in writing and provide a breakdown of the revised costs, as well as quotations to support these estimates. Your request will then be considered by the Trustees, and you will be informed of their decision as quickly as possible. Please note that we cannot guarantee to approve any request for the re-allocation of funds.

If the above information has not answered your question, please contact the Trust Helpdesk on 0131 555 7287 or info@postcodetrust.org.uk. We will be happy to answer your queries.