Grant, Loan and Voucher policy

Version 1.0

Last updated: May 2018

Introduction

We have a number of grants and loans to give units, girls and volunteers a helping hand, support trips away, and ensure members with additional needs can fully participate in guiding. We also provide vouchers to welcome new volunteers and to thank existing volunteers.

Bath Division only awards grants and vouchers to Girlguiding members who are part of Bath Division.

List of grants, loans and vouchers available from Bath Division

  1. Ann Norton Support Ground Fund [for young members]
  2. UK camp and holiday grant [for young members]
  3. Overseas travel grant [for all members]
  4. Leadership development grant
  5. New unit loan
  6. BUGS grant
  7. Transport grant
  8. Leader/young leader uniform voucher
  9. New leader badge voucher

The Division Exec will regularly review and, if necessary, amend this policy to ensure that it is fit for purpose and affordable.

  1. Ann Norton Support Ground Fund

This fund was bequeathed by long serving member Ann Norton for girls needing assistance to attend an outdoor or adventurous event.

  • Who can apply? Any girl [rainbow/brownie/guide/senior section] who is attending an outdoor or adventurous girlguiding event.
  • How much can I apply for? You can apply for 50% of the cost of the event, with a maximum grant of £100.
  • How do I apply? Unit leaders should complete the grant application form and ask their district commissioner to sign and forward to Division Exec.
  • What is classified as outdoor or adventurous? The Division Exec will look at each application and decide if it meets the criteria based on the information supplied.
  1. UK camp and holiday grant

All girls should be encouraged to attend residential events and no girl shouldbe prevented from going solely because of lack of funds.

  • Who can apply? Any girl [rainbow/brownie/guide/senior section] who is attending a girlguiding camp or holiday. Grants are not available on a unit-wide basis.If the camp or holiday could be considered as “outdoor or adventurous” you should apply for the Ann Norton Support Ground Fund instead.
  • How much can I apply for? You can apply for up to 50% of the cost of the event, with a maximum grant of £100.
  • How do I apply? Unit leaders should complete the grant application form and ask their district commissioner to sign and forward to Division Exec.

Note that an individual may only apply for either the Ann Norton support ground fund or the UK camp and holiday grant and not both.

  1. Overseas travel grant

When applying for this grant, applicants should also be encouraged to apply for County and Region grants, and to the local Trefoil Guild (particularly for GOLD).

  • Who can apply? Any member of girlguiding who has been selected to attend a Girlguiding UK or SW England Region supported overseas event. The grant may also be used for individual girls requiring financial assistance to attend a unit/district/division overseas trip.
  • How much can I apply for? You can apply for up to 20% of the cost of the event, with a maximum grant of £250.
  • How do I apply?Individuals should complete the grant application form and ask their district commissioner to sign and forward to Division Exec.
  1. Leadership development grant

This grant is to support our volunteers to attend a training event that will be used in their role in girlguiding.Remember that reasonable travel expenses for trainings are a legitimate item to claim from unit funds.The grant may also be used for travel expenses to attend adult INTOPS (international opportunity selection).

  • Who can apply? Any adult volunteers or young leaders who volunteer at a unit in Bath division.
  • How much can I apply for?You can apply for 50% of the cost of a single training course per calendar year, with a maximum grant of £40. The remainder of the cost is a legitimate unit expense (or district/division expense if it relates to a district/division role).
  • How do I apply? Complete the grant application form and ask your district commissioner to sign and forward to Division Exec.
  1. New unit loan

This loan is to support the set up of new units in Bath. New units should apply for the “starting a new unit grant” via the girlguiding website. This loan is to cover start up costs until the grant is received.

  • Who can apply?District commissioners
  • How much can I apply for? Up to £250 as a loan. The loan should be repaid within six months.
  • How do I apply?District commissioners should bring requests to a division exec meeting.
  1. BUGS grant

This grant is to support and thank student volunteers by providing financial assistance to BUGS (Bath University Scouts and Guides). We recognise the contribution made by students from all Higher Education institutions to girlguiding in Bath and are willing to consider grant applications from other HE student groups.

  • Who can apply?The BUGS rep on behalf of BUGS.
  • How much can I apply for? Up to £100 per calendar year.
  • How do I apply? The BUGS rep should outline how they will contribute to girlguiding in Bath during the coming academic year, and report back at the end of the year what they’ve done.These reports should be submitted to the Division Commissioner for consideration by the division exec. Included should be a plan of how to involve students from other HE institutions in Bath e.g. Bath Spa University and Norland College.
  1. Transport grant

This grant is to provide a subsidy for coach transport costs to events. Events must be open to units across the division (it could be a single-section event e.g. a Brownie activity day) and there must be girls from at least two units attending.

  • Who can apply? Any unit leader or DC. The person who applies is responsible for co-ordinating payments and receipts.
  • How much can I apply for? Up to 40% of the cost of travel. Units are liable to pay for all places booked – cancellations/failure to pay by individuals should be met by their unit and not the division.
  • How do I apply?Contact the division commissioner or division treasurer for advice.
  1. Leader/young leader uniform voucher

This voucher is to welcome new volunteers to girlguiding by providing a contribution to the cost of uniform. Vouchers are issued by district commissioners and can be redeemed in girlguiding Bath depot (88 Walcot Street, Bath). Young volunteers (under 18) are entitled to a voucher for young leader uniform and then another voucher for adult uniform when they turn 18.

Additionally, existing leaders will be given a £10 Bath depotvoucher when they complete 5 years service (and every 5 years after) as a thank you for volunteering.

  1. New leader badge voucher

This voucher can be exchanged for a badge tab, promise badge and county badge to be given to new volunteers. The voucher can also be used for just a county badge where a volunteer has moved to the county from elsewhere.

Other sources of financial support

Starting a new unit grant

This grant is available to all new units and those who are re-opening after being inactive for more than one year. Further details from the girlguiding website here.

Trefoil guild new unit grant

A helping hand for your new unit from the Trefoil Guild. Further details from the girlguiding website here.

Fund for members with disabilities

We want all of our members to take part in all that we have to offer. This grant supports members with disabilities and their supporting peers, and helps to cover assistance, transport, training and the development of an accessible programme. Further details from the girlguiding website here.

Travelling abroad grant

This grant provides financial support for adult Leaders working towards the Travelling Abroad module of the Going Away With Scheme. Further details from the girlguiding website here.

UK units in need grant

This grant is for units who are in deprived areas and experiencing financial difficulty. Further details from the girlguiding website here.

Grant application form

Application for:

Ann Norton Support Ground Fund

UKcamp and holiday grant

Overseas travel grant

Training grant

Have you already applied for a grant from the trefoil guild? Yes/No

Have you applied for grants for anywhere else? Yes/No

If yes, please provide details:

Your details(the person completing this form)

Name

Unit

Details of the person who will benefit from the grant

Name(if different from above)

Girlguiding membership number

Reason for request (please give as much detail as possible to help us make a decision)

Estimated breakdown of costs

Payment details

Who should the cheque be made payable to?

Where should it be sent (address)?

Sign off

Your signatureDate

District commissioner signatureDate

District commissioners please send this form to

Division exec decision and comments