For constituted groups that have not applied to CCF before

Supporting documents:

We require the following supporting documents to process your application. They should be attached to your application :

A copy of your Constitution/Articles/Set of Rules
A list of names of your Trustees and/or Management Committee (we would expect to see a minimum of 3 unrelated names to be eligible, please highlight any connections between members)
A copy of your most recent Accounts, if you do not have financial records that cover a full year then you will need to provide the records you currently have. Please include details of your reserves policy
A copy of a bank statement in the last three months. The bank account must have at least 2 signatories
A copy of your Child Protection / Safeguarding Policy (if applicable to your organisations work)
A written reference from an independent referee may be requested by CCF at any stage of the application process

Projects we are keen to support include, but are not limited to:

Support for vulnerable and older people in their homes, providing food and medicine
Funding for community groups that are linked into the hubs being created to coordinate the above
Special provision of crisis services for rough sleepers and those living in temporary accommodation with changed practices to keep clients and staff as safe as possible
Free takeaway lunches and online youth services for young people in a very disadvantaged area, supported by local volunteers
Non-perishable food and essential living and baby items for distribution to destitute refugees and asylum seekers
To reach (with support and information) local residents who don’t have access to the internet/smartphones – via self-care packages, coordinating volunteers and keeping the local ‘hub’ accessible to them.

Organisations the Emergency Fund can support:

Registered charities, including charitable incorporated organisations
Constituted organisations and non-registered charities
Community interest companies and community benefit societies
Churches and other religious organisations (if the activity is not deemed to be proselytising)
Partnerships or organisations working collaboratively can apply. The lead applicant would need to be one of the above
For the Emergency Fund only CCF will be welcoming applications from non-constituted or recently established organisations that can be endorsed by a statutory body e.g. parish council.

Guidelines for large charities:

Only support large local organisations with new initiatives not normal core costs.
If the groups have a very large surplus we support half the requested money expecting them to use their reserves for the other half. We do want to encourage new initiatives not dampen.
National charities applying to us should have a maximum income of £1.5 million but local charities are exempt from this.

Community Interest Companies (CICs) and social enterprises

If you are a CIC or social enterprise, please click here for specific criteria that apply.

Core requirements for applications to CCF for grants:

Each application will be considered on an individual basis, with grant awards ranging from £1000 to £5000.

We support not for profit community groups or social enterprises (you don’t need to be a registered charity but your activities must be considered charitable) operating in Cornwall who have the following:

You must have a recognised governing document e.g. Constitution, Articles which outlines the organisation’s objectives and it must have a Dissolution Clause
You must have a minimum of three unrelated members on your Management Committee or if you are a Registered Charity you must have three unrelated Trustees registered with the Charity Commission
All details registered with the Charity Commission must be up to date if you are a Registered Charity or a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
If you are working with children and/or people at risk, you must have a Safeguarding Policy in place, we would expect to see your Safeguarding Officer’s named and contact details within this policy
You must be able to provide up to date annual accounts for your organisation
You must have a bank account in the organisation’s name which requires two unrelated signatories for all withdrawals
In date relevant Insurance Policies
Equal Opportunities Policy
A written reference from an independent referee could be requested by CCF at any stage of the application process

Sorry, we do not fund:

Projects not benefiting people living in Cornwall
Profit making organisations
Groups with significant financial free reserves
Statutory/public sector organisations such as health authorities, schools, hospitals, parish and town councils
Contribution to endowment fund, payment of deficit funding or repayment of loans
Grant making organisations or bodies who fundraise or distribute grants on behalf of other organisations
Retrospective grants
Regional offices of national bodies if they are not independent i.e. you must have your own local accounts and management committee and benefit local people
Groups whose beneficiaries are not people
Projects that help only one individual
Groups that have had a previous grant which has not been managed satisfactorily or has not provided the relevant reporting
Projects intended to influence people’s religious choices or to promote a particular belief system. Churches and faith based organisations may still be funded provided that the grant benefits the wider community. Faith based organisations should clearly demonstrate their community engagement in their application.

What happens when you have applied:

On receipt of your application an assessment will be carried out, we may be in contact if further information is required.
We will endeavour to process your application and get an outcome to you within 3 – 5 working days.
We will communicate with you by e-mail so please use an e-mail address that is regularly checked.
When submitting your application you will tick a box agreeing to the terms and conditions of the grant, please keep a copy for your records.

For further information, about applying to the Emergency Fund , please visit Frequently Asked Questions.

TO APPLY TO THE EMERGENCY FUND, please click here.

Whilst we have currently suspended all other regular grant-making for projects, there are funds open that support individuals in crisis. Click here for details.

We are grateful to all our donors who have supported the Emergency Fund Appeal so generously. Cornwall Council have donated £100,000 to the Emergency Fund and we are working in partnership with the National Emergencies Trust.