Criteria for Governance Support Grant

The Council recognises the importance of access to good quality advice around governance for community organisations. To ensure that charitable groups within the Borough can tap into the most effective advice, information and training, the Council has made an allocation of £7,500 per year to provide those community organisations in need of support:

1. One year's membership to Action Hampshire.

This membership gives the applicant access to:

• A membership platform to assist networking and enable members to seek the experience of other members.
• Bi-monthly themed members' events, in addition to ad hoc sessions where need has been identified.
• Promotion and support of members across social media channels.
• Members' newsletter and information sheets, including details of funding opportunities.

The size of the grant will be dependent on the income of the organisation.  The grant awarded will pay for membership to Action Hampshire for the applicant group for one year.  Payment of following years' membership must be met from within the organisation's own accounts. 

2. Specialist tailored support and advice to resolve particularly complex concerns.

To be able to apply for this grant, the organisation applying must meet the following criteria;

• The group provides a service to the residents in the Borough of Fareham.
• The group is able to supply the constitution and annual accounts for their organisation.
• The group is able to demonstrate the need for specialist advice, if appropriate.
• The group is not a profit-making organisation
• The group has turnover of less than £250,000
• The group is not already a member of Action Hampshire of Communities First Wessex, if support with membership is being requested
• The requested funding is to pay for one year's membership to Action Hampshire, to enable the group to access appropriate support around governance and funding, or to pay for one session of specialist advice from Action Hampshire.

All applications must be made via the online form on the Fareham Borough Council website, with all documents that are requested scanned and submitted.

Decisions and payment of the grant are usually made within 1 month following the receipt of a fully completed application form by the Executive Member for Leisure and Community.