The PROSPECTS Foundation

The PROSPECTS Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1076541).

The PROSPECTS Foundation is a charity registered in England and Wales, established by local residents as a company limited by guarantee. Its aim is to support community action for the environment and improve people's quality of life through positive environmental action. It paid £64,396 in its most recent year and receives £105,000 a year to employ a Community Project Manager and provide a capital fund for volunteer groups in Hyndburn. Its fund has three strands: mini projects of up to £1,000, small projects from £1,001 to £5,000, and larger projects from £5,001 upwards.

Priority Areas

The foundation’s Windfall Fund makes grants to not-for-private-profit organisations based in Hyndburn, including community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises, co-operatives, charities and community interest companies. It supports projects that benefit the local community and improve the environment, quality of life and sustainable development of the borough. Projects must fit at least one of its six sustainability themes: biodiversity and wildlife habitats; waste minimisation and recycling; sustainable transport; energy conservation and renewables; locally grown food; or awareness of sustainable development. It looks for measurable environmental benefits, community support and participation, sound maintenance plans and good value for money. The fund aims to advise applicants and add value to projects.

Themes

• Biodiversity
• Energy conservation
• Local food growing
• Environmental awareness
• Sustainable transport
• Waste and recycling

Geographic Focus

Hyndburn.

Mini-project applicants complete the short online form. Small and larger project applicants download and complete the relevant form, then upload it with supporting documents; the foundation recommends discussing project ideas with the Windfall Fund Manager before applying.

Deadlines: Small and large grant applications have recurring deadlines on 31 March, 31 July and 30 November each year; mini applications can be submitted at any time.

Application windows:

• Small Projects: Applications have three deadlines per year: 31 March, 31 July and 30 November.
• Larger Projects: Applications have three deadlines per year: 31 March, 31 July and 30 November.

Who can apply:

• Windfall Fund
  • The Windfall Fund is available to any not for private profit organisation in Hyndburn, including community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises, co-operatives, charities and community interest companies wishing to develop a project which meets one of the 6 environmental sustainability themes listed below.
  • Your organisation must be formally constituted and have a governing document, a bank account and relevant policies where applicable including Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding Children/Vulnerable Adults
  • Your organisation must be community-led, meeting the needs of your local neighbourhood and be able to demonstrate support from the community
  • Your organisation must use sustainable practices where possible i.e. using renewable materials, using ethically sourced materials, using organic gardening practices, using recycled materials, sourcing materials locally etc. You will be expected to provide evidence of this, as appropriate
  • Your organisation must demonstrate commitment to the future maintenance of the project
  • All groups/organisations wanting to apply have to be formally constituted and have their own bank account.

What to send:

• Small Projects, Larger Projects
  • A signed copy of the group’s constitution/governing document
  • The latest copy of the group’s annual accounts/statement of income and expenditure and a copy of the most recent bank statement
  • Evidence of support from the local community
  • Written estimates for all individual items costing more than £250
  • Written consent from the landowner if the project is taking place on land not owned by the group
  • Evidence of where the match funding is coming from and whether or not it has already been secured
• Windfall Fund: Identify which policies you have in place. The policies we suggest as a minimum are Health & Safety, Equality & Diversity (Equal Opportunities) and, if applicable, Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults.

Applying again: Windfall Fund: If you have completed one project and submitted satisfactory monitoring information then you would be eligible to apply for another project.

What the charity says:

• The grants panel considers value for money, community and environmental benefit, realistic timetables and long-term maintenance.
• The panel also looks for a clear fit with a sustainability theme and participation by local people.
• Small Projects applications are prioritised when they include match funding from another grant source or a contribution from the applicant organisation.
• The fund considers evidence of sustainable and ethical purchasing in its assessment.
• The foundation recommends speaking with the Windfall Fund Manager before applying to discuss project ideas and receive application advice.
• Grantees must report how they spent the grant and what they achieved at the end of the project.