Forever Notts (nottinghamshire Community Foundation)

Charity Number: 1069538

Annual Expenditure: £0.6M
Geographic Focus: Nottinghamshire

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £570,927 (past year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 8-12 weeks
  • Grant Range: £200 - £10,000
  • Geographic Focus: Nottinghamshire (City and County)

Contact Details

Website: www.forevernotts.com (formerly www.nottscf.org.uk)

Email: enquiries@forevernotts.com

Phone: 01623 620202

Pre-Application Support: Available - applicants are encouraged to call or email before applying

Overview

Forever Notts (formerly Nottinghamshire Community Foundation, charity number 1069538) was founded in 1997 as the Sherwood Coalfield Foundation and rebranded to its current name in 2024. Since 2001, the foundation has distributed over £30 million in grants to more than 4,000 community groups across Nottinghamshire. In the past year alone, they awarded 239 grants totaling £570,927, benefiting 230,700 people, with an average grant size of £2,300. The foundation also assists other local trusts in delivering funding, helping to distribute an additional £1.8 million to local projects. As a Quality Accredited member of UK Community Foundations, Forever Notts operates as a “broker” between donors and local organizations, managing over 50 donor funds with varying themes and priorities. CEO Nina Dauban emphasizes the organization's mission: "We want to ensure that Nottinghamshire's funds remain in Nottinghamshire, supporting the projects and people that make this community thrive."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Forever Notts administers numerous grant programs, each with different criteria, amounts, and deadlines:

  • The Gemini Fund: £1,000 - £5,000 (up to £7,500 in exceptional circumstances) - Supports domestic abuse services, refugees/asylum seekers, homelessness, food/clothing poverty, young people's wellbeing, substance misuse, advice centers, and education for disadvantaged youth. Applications open October with decisions in March.
  • J.N. Derbyshire Trust: Up to £10,000 - Supports community and voluntary groups across Nottinghamshire. Fixed deadline: 31 August annually.
  • SWEF Grant Programme: £200 - £2,000 - For young people aged 18-30 in Nottinghamshire needing business start-up support, particularly those not in education, employment or training. Rolling monthly applications (deadline 7th of each month).
  • RTC Fund: Up to £500 - Supports senior citizens in rural Nottinghamshire areas (excluding major urban areas). Fixed deadline: 22 May annually.
  • Major Oak Fund: Up to £1,000 - Forever Notts' discretionary fund for exceptional projects falling outside other criteria. Four awards annually (not open to applications; projects referred internally).
  • Nottingham Angels Den: Up to £3,000 plus mentoring - For enterprise ideas and business development. Annual program.
  • Brian Treffry and Joan Oliver Fund: £500 - Supports young artists and art community groups. Fixed deadline: 20 January annually.
  • Dave Hartley Fund: Up to £250 - For music-related activities in Mansfield and Ashfield area.

Priority Areas

Forever Notts prioritizes:

  • Grassroots community groups and projects supporting people most in need
  • Young people's development and wellbeing
  • Rural community support
  • Arts and cultural activities
  • Social enterprise and employment initiatives
  • Projects addressing poverty, homelessness, and disadvantage
  • Community development and local resilience

What They Don't Fund

Based on The Gemini Fund criteria (representative of Forever Notts' general approach):

  • Statutory or public services
  • Organizations with significant free reserves
  • Groups operating outside Nottinghamshire
  • Improperly constituted groups
  • Retrospective funding (already completed projects)
  • Faith groups (unless activities are community-wide and non-religious)
  • Political activities or campaigning
  • Individuals or sole traders
  • Private profit-generating activities
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Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Nina Dauban, CEO: With over 30 years in the voluntary sector, Nina founded her first charity at age 21 and has represented the sector at board and executive level for over 15 years. She joined Forever Notts in 2008 and is widely respected for her passion for supporting local communities. Nina states: "We're proud of our history, and even prouder of what's to come. The heart of Nottinghamshire is its people. We've seen the incredible power of community with the £30 million we've distributed so far, and we're excited to continue that journey."

Carla, Grants Manager: Joined in 2011 as Administrator/PA to CEO, progressing to Grants Manager with over 30 years of experience.

Board of Trustees

Paddy Tipping (Chairman): Former Nottinghamshire Police Crime Commissioner (2012-2021) and Member of Parliament for 20 years, serving as Chair of The Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and Deputy Leader of the House of Commons.

Mark Goldby DL: Nearly 30 years of experience in High-Tech Electronics, co-founder of SMS Electronics and SMS Product Services. Chairman of Nottinghamshire Manufacturing Network.

Nadeem Raza: Newest trustee, CEO of Microlise Group Plc, an AIM listed business on the London Stock Exchange.

Diana: Board member since 2012 with experience in economic analysis and regeneration across local government, higher education, private consultancy, and trade unions.

Heather: Joined 2022.

Kevin: Member of The New Appeals committee for over 20 years, currently Joint Chairman.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Research Available Funds: Browse Forever Notts' grant programs at www.forevernotts.com/grants/apply-for-grants
  2. Review Criteria Carefully: Each fund has specific eligibility requirements, themes, and priorities
  3. Contact for Guidance: Call 01623 620202 or email enquiries@forevernotts.com before applying
  4. Submit Online Application: Most applications are completed and submitted through the website
  5. Provide Supporting Information: Applications are assessed on strength of need, breadth and depth of impact, financial health, and track record

Decision Timeline

  • Typical timeframe: 8-12 weeks from application deadline to decision
  • Panel meetings: Vary by fund (e.g., Gemini Fund panel meets in early March)
  • Notification: Forever Notts notifies all applicants of results
  • Payments: Made to successful organizations after approval
  • Referrals: Unsuccessful applicants may be referred to other suitable programs

Success Rates

Forever Notts awarded 239 grants in the past year. Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, but the foundation manages multiple funds simultaneously, increasing opportunities for applicants to find suitable funding streams.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly detailed. Unsuccessful applicants are referred to other suitable programs where appropriate, suggesting a supportive approach to helping organizations find funding. Contact Forever Notts directly for fund-specific reapplication guidance.

Application Success Factors

Assessment Criteria

Forever Notts assesses applications based on:

  • Strength of need for the project
  • Breadth and depth of impact on beneficiaries
  • Financial health of the organization
  • Track record of delivery

Key Success Strategies

  1. Match Your Project to the Right Fund: With over 50 donor funds managed, take time to identify the most appropriate program for your needs
  1. Demonstrate Local Impact: Forever Notts prioritizes keeping funds local and supporting Nottinghamshire communities - emphasize your local presence and community connections
  1. Show Clear Need: Articulate the specific need your project addresses and how it supports people who need help most
  1. Provide Evidence: Back up your application with data, case studies, or testimonials showing your organization's capability and impact
  1. Use Available Support: The foundation encourages pre-application contact - use this to strengthen your proposal
  1. Be Realistic About Finances: Organizations with significant free reserves are generally ineligible - demonstrate genuine financial need
  1. Plan for Reporting: Successful applicants must complete grant monitoring reports and provide case studies with photographs - plan these from the outset
  1. Align with Strategic Priorities: Forever Notts emphasizes “philanthropy for the benefit of the people of Nottinghamshire” - show how your project contributes to community thriving

Helpful Resources

Forever Notts provides:

  • Application form guidance
  • FAQ page on their website
  • Pre-application support via phone and email
  • Referrals to support organizations across Nottinghamshire

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  1. Local is Key: Forever Notts is deeply committed to keeping funding within Nottinghamshire - emphasize your local roots, community connections, and how your project benefits local people
  1. Multiple Opportunities: With numerous grant programs ranging from £200 to £10,000, explore several funds that might fit your organization's needs
  1. Strategic Timing: Different funds have different deadlines (rolling monthly, fixed annual, specific windows) - plan applications strategically across the year
  1. Build Relationships Early: The foundation encourages pre-application contact and maintains a supportive approach - connect early and build relationships with staff
  1. Demonstrate Impact Over Scale: With an average grant size of £2,300, Forever Notts focuses on grassroots impact - show how modest funding can create significant local change
  1. Prepare for Success: Plan your monitoring, case studies, and photography from project inception - the foundation values evidence of impact for its donors
  1. Consider the Broker Model: Forever Notts acts as a bridge between donors and projects - frame your application to appeal to philanthropic individuals and organizations wanting to support local communities

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