Community Grant Funding
Are You a Community Group or Organisation Looking for Funding?
Stratton St Margaret Parish Council supports local groups through its grants scheme. The Council annually sets a grants budget in order to provide financial assistance to a range of organisations,projects and activites which provide services for local residents. This year’s grant budget was £25,000.Any applicants for funding must meet the criteria set out in the policy.
Eligibility criteria is below. If you would like to apply for a grant, please complete the form at the bottom of this page. Alternatively download and complete the document below and return to us via post or email to [email protected]
Grant applications deadlines are 31st May and 30th September.
Stratton St Margaret Parish Council is proud to support locals through this grants scheme!
Grant Criteria
Organisations will be considered for community grant aid where they meet the following criteria:
- The organisation is based, or has a local branch, in Stratton St Margaret, Swindon.
- The work of the organisation directly benefits a number of residents of Stratton St Margaret.
- The organisation has a written constitution with clearly defined aims and objectives.
- The organisation has a clear financial need. Account will be taken regarding how much money the organisation has, including any special reserves set aside for particular projects. Additionally, if the balance is high in relation to spending then an explanation will be required to justify the reasons why the organisation is still applying for a grant.
- The organisation has its own bank account with at least two authorised signatories.
- The organisation is non-party political and non-profit making. Individuals will not be funded.
- Retrospective applications will not be considered.
- Applications should be linked to a specific project but consideration will also be given to grant applications for revenue funding.
- Grant applications that require matching funding as evidence of local/community support to lever in additional grants from other funding sources will also be considered.
- Grant applications will be considered twice yearly at our Full Council Meeting around June and October
Application information
Community Grant Awards 2023/24
During 2023/24 we supported a wide variety of organisations. Here is an update on just a few of them:
- Friends of Farrell Dance school were awarded £800 towards travel costs for dancers to compete in the World Irish Dancing Championships in Liege, Belgium in April’24. They came home with many medals and trophies including 2 world champions and a runner up.
- Stratton Juniors FC were awarded £2,000 towards the refurbishment of toilet facilities at their clubhouse. The space is now updated and refreshed – “Loving the purple ceiling has gone!”
- Uplands Enterprise Trust were awarded £1,000 towards the purchase of SoundBeam musical device. “The SoundBeam is ‘touch free’ and uses sensor technology to translate movement into music and sound. It is an inclusive piece of equipment for all our users, especially for those with limited movement.”
- STEP (Swindon) were awarded £2,940 towards the Therapeutic Intervention programme – from A to C (Anxiety to Confidence). They have purchased specialist distraction tools and sensory resources to support children and young people who are neurodiverse.
- Stratton Churchways Bowls Club were awarded £500 towards enhancing the outside space at the club. They have purchased 3 benches and umbrellas, which were well used at the Stratton Festival and also for all our matches by both players and spectators.
Previous Awarded Grants From June 2022/2023
- Stratton Methodist Church was awarded a grant of £1,000 in 2022 for repairing and restoring their clock. The repairs were finished in July 2023.
- St Johns Ambulance was awarded £1,000 towards a Community Support Unit Vehicle for Wiltshire which in total will cost £65,000. They have been busy fundraising and have raised £34,000 so far.
- MHA Communities Swindon was awarded £2,000 to fund, produce, print and distribute monthly activity packs. Also, for support training costs for volunteers who become befrienders to members.
- St Margaret’s Pre School was awarded £2,500 to replace the artificial grass within their play area.
