Tenbury Nils Scheme

Charity Number: 1151036

Annual Expenditure: £0.2M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £203,166 (2024 expenditure)
  • Annual Income: £181,382 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 5 working days from trustee review
  • Grant Range: Up to £500 per grant
  • Loan Range: Repaid over maximum 24 months with 10% deposit
  • Geographic Focus: Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire
  • Application Method: Referral-only through third-party agencies

Contact Details

  • Website: www.nils.org.uk
  • Email: enquiries@nils.org.uk
  • Phone: 07904 488492 (Monday–Friday, 10am–2pm)
  • Alternative Phone: 07949 443641
  • Charity Number: 1151036

Overview

Tenbury NILS Scheme was established as a registered charity (1151036) to assist the most disadvantaged and vulnerable people in their community. With an annual income of £181,382 and expenditure of £203,166 in the year ending March 2024, the charity receives significant government funding (£130,000 from three grant sources). The scheme provides both interest-free loans and discretionary grants to people experiencing acute financial need in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire.

The organization's mission is to provide financial assistance to those who cannot access commercial credit due to unemployment, benefit dependency, or low income. Managed by four trustees who serve without remuneration, the charity operates a referral-based system requiring applications to come through third-party support agencies rather than directly from individuals. This approach ensures that assistance reaches those with verified needs and professional support networks in place.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Discretionary Grants: Up to £500 maximum per individual

  • One-off grants for essential items and services
  • Application through referral agencies only
  • Decisions within 5 working days of trustee review
  • Applications submitted via online form to enquiries@nils.org.uk

Interest-Free Loans: Repayment over maximum 24 months

  • Requires 10% deposit before item/service is purchased
  • Repayment by standing order with regular contact
  • Available to those who can demonstrate repayment ability
  • Not available to those with existing benefit attachments or substantial debt

Priority Areas

Essential Household Items:

  • White goods (cookers, fridges, freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers)
  • Beds and wardrobes
  • Furniture for essential living

Education and Employment Access:

  • Laptop computers
  • Travel passes for education, training, or employment
  • Accredited training courses
  • Work-required tools and equipment

What They Don't Fund

Explicitly Excluded Items:

  • Mobile phones
  • Televisions or leisure electronics
  • Carpets
  • Repairs
  • Rent arrears
  • Cash payments
  • Items over £500 (except in exceptional circumstances)

Eligibility Exclusions:

  • Applications from organizations (individuals only)
  • Direct applications without agency referral
  • Applicants typically under 18 (exceptions may apply)
  • Those not claiming all eligible benefits
  • Those who haven't exhausted statutory support
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Governance and Leadership

The charity is governed by a Board of 4 Trustees who serve without remuneration. The trustees meet to review applications and set the annual budget for grant giving, which is reviewed quarterly to ensure appropriate resource allocation.

According to their grant-making policy: “All grant applications are subject to initial assessment to ensure they meet the basic criteria for funding, and applicants must be prepared to provide further information as the Charity may reasonably require to assist in the decision-making and due diligence process.”

The charity explicitly reserves decision-making authority: “The Charity reserves the right to decline any application and there is no obligation on the Charity to provide a reason for its decision. Each decision is final and there is no appeal process.”

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

IMPORTANT: This charity does NOT accept direct applications from individuals. All applications must come through a referral from a third-party support agency.

Eligible Referring Agencies Include:

  • Social workers
  • Housing officers
  • Citizens Advice officers
  • Women's Aid
  • Local food banks
  • NHS workers
  • Jobcentre work coaches
  • Council support workers
  • Other professional support organizations

Application Requirements:

The process involves completing a comprehensive online application form (7 pages) covering:

  1. Applicant personal information and address history
  2. Dependants and employment status
  3. Income details
  4. Expenditure information
  5. Demographic data (ethnicity, care experience, disabilities)
  6. Circumstances and financial support history
  7. Document upload and consent

Required Documentation (all dated within last 3 months):

  • Recent bank statement showing name and 30+ days of transactions
  • Recent benefit statement
  • Referral statement from supporting agency
  • Breakdown of items and costs (maximum £500 per item)

Documents can be uploaded with the application or emailed to enquiries@nils.org.uk if upload is not possible.

Key Eligibility Criteria:

  • Must be claiming all eligible benefits
  • Must have exhausted all forms of statutory support
  • Typically aged 18 or above
  • Living in Worcestershire, Herefordshire, or Shropshire for at least 3 months
  • In receipt of benefits or low income

Decision Timeline

  • Decision timeframe: Within 5 working days from submission for trustee review
  • Urgent applications: Reviewed as promptly as possible
  • Notification method: All applicants notified of outcome
  • The charity acknowledges it “may well receive far more applications than it has funds to support”

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. The organization notes that even applications fitting within their criteria may not receive funding due to limited available funds. The number of applications supported is restricted to the budget available.

Reapplication Policy

Previous unsuccessful applicants receive equal consideration on individual merit. There is no indication of waiting periods between applications, and each application is assessed independently.

Application Success Factors

Critical Success Factors Based on Funder's Stated Requirements:

1. Professional Referral Quality

The referral from your support worker is critical. As stated on their website: “For clients seeking grants you must be referred by a support worker who can be anyone supporting you in an official capacity.” Ensure your referring agency provides a complete referral statement demonstrating clear understanding of your needs.

2. Exhausting Other Support First

The charity explicitly requires applicants to have “exhausted all forms of statutory support” and be “claiming all eligible benefits.” Applications should demonstrate what other support has been sought and why NILS assistance is necessary.

3. Complete Documentation

The scheme emphasizes proactive engagement: “NILS will not contact people who have made an initial approach but then fail to provide the necessary information.” Ensure all required documents (bank statements, benefit statements, referral) are current (within 3 months) and complete before submission.

4. Clear Justification for Essential Items

Focus on truly essential items that align with their funded categories. The organization purchases items directly rather than providing cash, so be specific about what is needed and why it's essential.

5. Realistic Budget

Remember the £500 maximum per grant. The scheme states it will “not, save in exceptional circumstances, award single grants for sums in excess of £500.” Break down costs clearly and ensure requests fall within this limit.

6. Trustee Discretion

All grants are “subject to the discretion of their Trustees.” While the charity doesn't publish specific criteria for what makes an application stand out, demonstrating acute financial need and the essential nature of the request aligns with their charitable objects.

What They've Said About Applications:

From their policies, the organization emphasizes that applicants must:

  • Provide “adequate information regarding their current income, housing and financial status”
  • Be prepared to “provide further information as the Charity may reasonably require”
  • Understand that decisions are final with no appeal process

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Work Through Referral Agencies: Direct applications are not accepted. Build relationships with Citizens Advice, social services, housing officers, or other recognized support agencies who can refer clients.
  • Ensure Benefit Maximization First: Applications must demonstrate that clients are claiming all eligible benefits and have exhausted statutory support options before applying to NILS.
  • Fast Decision Timeline: With 5 working days for decisions, ensure all documentation is complete and current before submission to avoid delays.
  • Limited Funds, High Demand: The charity acknowledges receiving more applications than available funding. Applications must clearly demonstrate acute financial need and essential nature of items requested.
  • No Cash, Direct Purchase: The scheme purchases items directly on behalf of clients rather than providing cash payments, so be specific about exact items needed with supplier information.
  • Geographic Boundaries Matter: Only applications from Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and Shropshire are considered - verify client location before referral.
  • No Appeals Process: Decisions are final with no obligation to provide reasons for rejection, so ensure first-time applications are as strong and complete as possible.

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