What We Fund

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What we fund

We encourage YMCAs operating in the South West of England to make applications to the fund. We want to support your YMCA work as best we can. Like many grant giving trusts, our income comes from our investments. The amount we have to award is dependent on the income we receive.

The grants awarded are usually between £700 and £1200. However, for a larger project, the trust will consider a grant up to £3500. In this application, the YMCA must demonstrate the contribution they are making.

See our information below to see if the fund matches your needs.

Geographical Area

We welcome applications from YMCAs in the following areas:

Bath and North East Somerset, the City of Bristol, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Grant Categories

You must apply under at least one of the following categories:

  • To develop a sense of belonging to, and a better understanding of, the YMCA Movement. For example a bursary to attend YMCA events; or a grant to build relationships between very different YMCAs.
  • To provide training or opportunities for open discussions with a christian or spiritual focus for young people aged 9-25. For example this might include opportunities where young people are enabled to engage with nature or where a project may generate a sense of awe and wonder, or the attendance at a Christian festival.
  • Training and development for staff, volunteers, and those with governance responsibility for YMCAs.
  • Development of new work for YMCAs individually or for collaborative YMCA work in the region.
  • For emergency funding where a YMCA is in danger of being unable to continue to operate.

Please note – We do not fund ongoing activities such as staff costs, continuing projects or repairs and maintenance. Your application may include staff costs where they are required to deliver your project, but applicants will need to demonstrate how any staff and core costs will be maintained beyond the grant funding.

Grant Deadlines

20th April (ready for the May trustee meeting) 20th October (ready for the November trustee meeting)
Geographical Area
Tips On Applying
 

1.Read the criteria and grant categories carefully to ensure that the fund matches your project/need.

2.Be clear about the purpose of the application – remember the trustees may not have any knowledge of your YMCA and how it operates.

3.Check your budget/breakdown of costs – does it add up?

4.Don’t forget to get authorisation from your CEO and Treasurer before submitting your application.

5.Check the grant deadline. The trustees will not accept late applications. The only exception to this is if you are applying under the Emergency Funding Category.

6.Contact the Trust Fund Secretary if you have any questions or are unclear about any aspect of the application form. E-mail contact here

Successful applications

You will be contacted about the outcome of your application shortly after the trustees have met. If your application is successful, the trustees require a short report plus a couple of photos with captions where possible saying how the grant benefitted a YMCA or individual; there is space in each application form for this information. We may contact you for further details if we would like to showcase your project on the website.

Apply Online
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Or download a copy of the application here.
Applications must be sent to secretary@swymcatrustfund.co.uk or posted to:

Dr Clare Jefferis (Trust Fund Secretary) The Old Summer House
 22 Gloucester Road
 Almondsbury
 BS32 4AD

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We support the work of YMCAs in the South West region of England working to develop opportunities for the spiritual growth and wellbeing of young people.

Find out about us on the Charity Commission.

© The South West YMCA Trust Fund 2024 | Charity Number 801715

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The South West YMCA Trust Fund (Registered Charity no. 801715)

Grant Application Form

Please note: In order to be considered at a trustees’ meeting, please ensure your application is received by the Secretary by 20th April or 20th October annually.

If you have questions about completing this form, please contact the SW YMCA Trust Fund Secretary: secretary@swymcatrust.co.uk

Value of grants awarded: Grants awarded are usually between £700 and £1,200 For a larger project, the Trust will award a grant up to £3,500, as long as the YMCA can demonstrate:
  • That over 50% of the funding is in place or pledged for a project.
  • That over 80% of the funding is in place or pledged for training costs.
  • That over 80% of the funding is in place or pledged for youth participation events, such as National, European or World YMCA events.
  • And that the YMCA is making a contribution themselves.
    • Please note:
    1. Each application must be approved by the Chief Executive or equivalent and the Treasurer, and by ticking the boxes within the application you are confirming their approval has been given.
    2. Each grant awarded must be acknowledged on receipt of approval notification.
    3. Each grant awarded must be thanked when the funds are received.
    4. If the grant awarded is to provide training, and any attendee is unable to attend, then this part of the grant should be returned to the SWTF. If work is not carried out as applied for in the grant application, then this grant should be returned to the SWTF.
    5. The trustees require a short report or photos with captions saying how the grant benefited a YMCA or an individual. There is a section on the application form to tell us about past grants.
    This application is authorised and approved by both:
    If your application is successful, the grant will be paid directly into your bank account. Please provide bank details: Sort code: