Farnham Lions Club (cio)

Quick Stats

• Annual Income: £138,261 (2024)
• Annual Expenditure: £147,733 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified (applications reviewed case-by-case)
• Grant Range: Variable (from small individual grants to £4,000+ for organizational projects)
• Geographic Focus: Farnham and Haslemere areas, Surrey

Contact Details

Website: https://www.farnhamlions.org.uk

Email: secretary@farnhamlions.org.uk

Phone: 03458337848

Address: Hopfield House, 24 Cascade Way, Farnham, Surrey GU9 7GQ

Overview

Farnham Lions Club (CIO) is a registered charity (1194104) established to serve the Farnham and Haslemere communities through grant-making and community service projects. The organization operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with 8 trustees and approximately 100 volunteers. With an annual income of £138,261 (2024), the club makes grants to assist individuals, organisations and charities within their local area, while also supporting wider Lions District and Multiple District projects, as well as international appeals through Lions Clubs International. The club emphasizes supporting local good causes, with every request being “diligently reviewed” to ensure grants are “appropriate and affordable.” Their philosophy centers on providing assistance where it can make the most meaningful impact in their community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Grants Program: Variable amounts (rolling applications)

• Application form available on website in PDF and DOCX formats
• Supports both organizations and individuals
• No specified maximum or minimum amounts
• Reviewed on a case-by-case basis

Project Wenceslas: Winter fuel poverty relief program

• Distributed approximately £52,000 in recent year
• Helped approximately 450 people
• Direct payments to utility companies for fuel debt and prepayment meters
• Operated in partnership with Citizens Advice, Farnham Support Fund, Foodbank, and Barnardo's Family Centres

Priority Areas

Organizations and Community Groups:

• Disability and accessibility services (e.g., Sailability, Challengers)
• Youth and children's programs (e.g., boxing clubs, 40 Degreez)
• Educational support (e.g., dyslexia programs, schools)
• Community welfare services (e.g., Citizens Advice Bureau, Homestart Waverley)
• Sports and recreation facilities

Individual Support:

• Fuel poverty and utility debt relief
• Nursery fees and childcare costs
• Transportation assistance (e.g., bus passes)
• General financial hardship relief

Example Grants:

• £4,000 for new fixed jetty at Frensham Big Pond for Sailability
• £3,325 to FAST Dyslexia Charity Project
• Safety equipment for Farnham Boxing Club
• Individual grants for nursery fees and transportation

What They Don't Fund

• Operating or ongoing costs such as staff wages
• Utility bills for organizations (though they do support fuel poverty for individuals)
• Applications must not be for routine operational expenses

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Governance and Leadership

The club is governed by 8 trustees who serve without remuneration. The organization has no employees earning over £60,000 and relies entirely on volunteer support from approximately 100 community members.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

For Organizations and Individuals:

1. Download the application form from www.farnhamlions.org.uk/community/communitycare.html (available in PDF and DOCX formats)
2. Complete the form with detailed information about your request
3. Ensure compliance with GDPR requirements when sharing personal details
4. Individual applicants must include the name of a professional referrer
5. Obtain approval from any third parties mentioned in the application
6. Submit completed form

Eligibility: Applicant must be within the Farnham area

For Fuel Poverty Support (Project Wenceslas):

Referrals typically come through partner organizations including Citizens Advice, Farnham Support Fund, Foodbank, Barnardo's Family Centres, and Home-School link workers. Individuals in need should contact these organizations for assistance.

Decision Timeline

Not specified. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with the club stating every request is “diligently reviewed” to ensure grants are “appropriate and affordable.”

Success Rates

Not publicly available. Not all requests are approved, as the club evaluates each application based on appropriateness and affordability.

Reapplication Policy

No specific information available about reapplication restrictions or waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

Based on the club's documented activities and funding patterns, successful applications typically demonstrate:

Clear Local Impact: The club emphasizes “supporting local good causes” within the Farnham and Haslemere areas. Applications should clearly demonstrate benefit to the local community.

Specific Project Needs: Funded projects have included specific items like safety equipment, jetties, and educational resources rather than general operating costs. Applications should specify exactly what funding will purchase and how it will be used.

Evidence of Need: The club states that “small amounts can make a significant difference to Farnham families lives.” One beneficiary noted: “Without this help my life would be even more difficult... they have helped remove the relentless pressure of money worries.”

Professional Referral for Individuals: Individual applicants must include a professional referrer, suggesting the club values third-party validation of need.

Accountability: If approved, the club expects to receive evidence of the spend, demonstrating their emphasis on financial accountability.

Diverse Beneficiary Portfolio: Recent funding has spanned disability services (Sailability), youth development (boxing clubs), education (dyslexia programs), and individual welfare, suggesting they value supporting a range of community needs.

Post-Application Requirement: Successful applicants must provide evidence of how funds were spent, so be prepared to document purchases and outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic restriction is strict: Applications must be from within the Farnham and Haslemere areas to be considered
• Individual applicants need professional support: Include a professional referrer's name in your application to meet eligibility requirements
• Capital over operational funding: Focus applications on specific equipment, facilities, or project costs rather than ongoing operational expenses like wages or utility bills
• Evidence matters: Be prepared to provide documentation of spending after approval; the club requires accountability for all grants awarded
• No published deadlines: Applications appear to be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed case-by-case, so apply when your need arises
• Varied grant sizes: The club has funded both small individual needs (nursery fees, bus passes) and larger organizational projects (£4,000 for jetty construction), so don't self-reject based on grant amount
• Community impact focus: Emphasize how your request will benefit the local Farnham/Haslemere community and align with the club's mission of supporting local good causes

References

1. Charity Commission for England and Wales - Farnham Lions Club (CIO) Charity Details, Charity Number 1194104: https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1194104&subId=0
2. Farnham Lions Club Official Website - Community Care page: https://www.farnhamlions.org.uk/community/communitycare.html
3. Farnham Lions Club Official Website - Examples of Local Support: https://www.farnhamlions.org.uk/community/localsupport.html
4. Farnham Lions Club Official Website - How Our Money is Spent: https://www.farnhamlions.org.uk/fundraising/howourmoneyisspent.html
5. Farnham Lions Club Official Website - Project Wenceslas: https://www.farnhamlions.org.uk/fundraising/wenceslas.html
6. Farnham Herald - "Lions' Project Wenceslas helps 200 people in Farnham and Haslemere stay warm this winter": https://www.farnhamherald.com/news/lions-project-wenceslas-helps-200-people-in-farnham-and-haslemere-stay-warm-this-winter-597025
7. Find that Charity - Farnham Lions Club (CIO) GB-CHC-1194104: https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1194104