Grant Funding to Voluntary, Community and Faith Sectors - Digital Fund

The Council has the opportunity to fund Voluntary, Community, and Faith Sectors (VCFS) out of its UK Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) grant funding to deliver on one of the priorities in the implementation plan.

Digital exclusion has been identified as a significant issue for Preston residents, a recent study by Preston City Council identified that many residents struggle to use digital devices such as smartphones, tablets and PCs.

The main barriers to digital inclusion were found to be generational gaps, economic disadvantage, low literacy levels, health issues and language barriers, all of these have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

About the Fund

This opportunity is for VCFS to either develop something new, although the timeframes on this are extremely tight, or to extend the provision they are already providing.

In order to access the funding you must be able to provide an estimate of:

The number of people supported to engage
The number of people with who have developed their skills base following support.

This must be part of your application and we will require a report from you in early April 2025 showing the actuals against your estimate at the 31 March 2025. (If your provision would be continuing after this date then we would need a final report as well - you must indicate this in your application)

Each organisation can apply for up to £5,000. If the grants pot is oversubscribed, priority will be given to applications that are expanding delivery on existing projects.

The deadline to receive applications is the 15 January 2025.

Please Note: There will be no response to emails until Monday 06 January 2025. If you do have a question regarding the application process please email j.singleton@preston.gov.uk. Any questions on the project delivery please email l.mossop@preston.gov.uk.

Eligibility criteria

In order to be considered for funding, organisations will need to meet the following eligibility criteria.

Any constituted VCFS organisation or community group operating in the City can apply provided they have a constitution, articles or rules describing the group's aims and objectives, its members, and details how decisions are made.

Be based in Preston and provide services and/or activities for the sole benefit of Preston residents for the funding to be awarded.
Have a constitution or other governing and have a governing body whose membership reflect and contain a representative proportion of people who live and work in Preston.
Have a bank account in the name of the organisation or group, which requires at least two joint signatures who are not related for all transactions.
Have the necessary policies procedures that fulfil legal and financial requirements e.g. accounts, health and safety, equal opportunities, insurance, safeguarding and compliance with employment legislation and good practice.
Have the capacity to meet the Council's requirements for delivering performance monitoring and accountability for the use of public funding.
Be providing services to a significant number of Preston residents.
Be able to provide good quality services, with accreditation where appropriate.

Not Eligible

The Council will not fund:

Statutory and mainstream bodies
Organisations that have a nature of a political party or political lobbying organisations
Religious organisations for the use of propagation of religion
Individuals
Capital projects e.g., building or refurbishment work, purchase major items of equipment
Services or activities that are the responsibility of statutory bodies.

Completing the Application Form

Ensure that you have answered all the questions, failure to do so will result in your application not being considered.
Ensure that you have signed the declaration on the last page.
Ensure that the supporting information requested is provided with the application (see checklist at the end of the form).
If you have received any grant funding from the Council in 2024 you do not need to provide Finance Checks and Documents Required information and may continue with the form.
Before completing the application make sure you have carefully read the funding policy and application guidance notes to ensure that your Organisation and activities are eligible.

How do I apply

Please complete the online form.

Apply for the Grant Funding for Digital Inclusion

Please Note: There will be no response to emails until Monday 06 January 2025.

Each application will be judged on its merits based on the information provided on the form and supporting documents submitted.

Your application will be assessed by a scoring system. Your final score will also be considered alongside evidence of planning, financial viability (including reserves) and good organisational management.

Please ensure you read the grant funding policy before you apply for guidance and information.

Your privacy

The information that you provide will be processed in accordance with the (GDPR) and data protection law for the purpose of provision and management of the grant funding to voluntary, Community and the Faith Sector.

Your personal information, where provided, will be processed under Article 6,1 (e) of the GDPR - processing is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the controller.