Keith Owen 1938 - 2007

Keith Owen Fund - Notes for Applicants

Before making an application please read thesenotes.You may also contact the Secretary for an informal discussion prior to making an application. If appropriate, a Keith Owen Fund (KOF) committee member can advise you on your application.

Purpose and scope of the Fund

The KOF grants committee will consider every application and make its decisions based on the wishes expressed by Keith Owen and which fall within the objects of the SVA CIO.

The SVA objects are:-

In the Valley of the River Sid in East Devon and its environs:

  • To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.
  • To advance the education of the public by the establishment and maintenance of a museum and a local history group.
  • To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.

The fund will also aim to honour Keith Owen’s wishes by:-

  • preserving and enhancing the life and community of Sidmouth and its environs for both residents and visitors
  • encouraging persons to give of their time and talents to voluntary initiatives and activities
  • supporting projects large and small
  • promoting conservation of heritage and countryside
  • demonstrating to the local community what can be achieved through philanthropic giving

Geographic Boundaries

Grants can only be made for groups or activities within the geographic boundaries of the Sid Vale Association.This covers the Sid Valley from Putts Corner (by Hare & Hounds) southwards,and eastwards from Peak Hill to Weston Mouth including Salcombe Regis (see more detailed map on the SVA website).

How to Apply

Keith Owen felt strongly that the process should be kept simple so the application form is brief.It can either be completed on screen and printed, or downloaded but we do require a signature.

A covering letter or papercan be helpful. This is an opportunity to expand on any of the following details:-

Your project/proposal

  • how your project fits withthe purpose of the fund
  • any further details of your project such as plans/drawings
  • who the project will benefit (eg numbers of people, age-groups etc)
  • the amount of voluntary input there will be for the project
  • the location where the project or activity will take place
  • the anticipated start date and the timescale for completing the project
  • how you will assess the success of the project

Finances

  • the total cost of the project
  • how you have costed the project (include copies of estimates/quotes)
  • what funds you already have available for the project
  • how much money you are seeking from KOF
  • how you intend to raise any further funds needed
  • where elseyou have also applied for funding for this project, and the outcome(s)
  • if ongoing, how you will continue to fund the project and become sustainable

NB We take into consideration the financial position of the organisation making the application so the statement of accounts and any other relevant financial information is important.

Please note the “failure to declare” warning on the form.

The Fund does not usually offer

  • 100% of project costs.Most grants do not exceed 50% but exceptions may be made.

We frequently offer to match the group’s own fund raising efforts up to agreed limits.

  • to pay professional fees unless essential to the project, and/or to complement the voluntary involvement

Repeat applications from the same organisation will be treated on their own merit.

The Fund will not help with

  • Requests from individuals towards(for example)
  • educational opportunities eg Gap Year experiences or University fees/costs
  • Routine running costs of an organisation
  • Applications from commercial enterprises
  • Organisations whose aims are fundraising

Application process

Applications to the fund are considered by the KOF Grants Committee during the months of January, March, May, July, September and November.

Applications must be submitted by 31st December, 28th February, 30th April, 30th June,

31st August, or 31st October. However incomplete applications (eg where no accounts/estimates have been enclosed, or the declaration is not signed) will not be considered.

  • A KOF committee member is usually appointed to act as a link person and can offer you advice or may request more information from you before or after the decision meeting.
  • Recommendations made by the KOF Grants Committee are put before the SVA Executive Committee at their next meeting, usually two weeks later. Their decision is final.
  • Applicants are notified in writing after the SVA Executive Committee meeting. Payment, publicity and press announcements for successful applicants will then be arranged.
  • Awards payments are made on evidence of expenditure (such as invoices) and should be claimed within a year or the offer may be withdrawn. If a project is delayed for any reason, then the KOF Committee must be kept informed.
  • We may come back to you in the future to find out how the project has benefited your group or the wider community, and check that equipment, buildings etc are still being used in accordance with the application.

Declaration Signature

We do require an actual signature on the application form. This can be on a hard copy of the form, or scanned in pdf format. If the form is submitted by email without a signature (for example to meet a deadline date) then please also send a hard copy to the address below ASAP. The application will not be considered until this is received.

The completed application form plus accounts,estimates etc(see checklist) should be posted to The Secretary, KOF Grants Committee, 43 Primley Road, Sidmouth EX10 9LF

(tel.01395 576998)

or emailed to

Please do not staple or bind papers as they will be scanned for distribution.

Press and Publicity

If your application is successful, the decision must be treated in confidence until an agreed date when the award can be confirmed publicly, and with press publicity.

Sid Vale Association CIO

We trust that applicants appreciate the aims and the work of the Sid Vale Association and we request that you encourage members of your group to become membersof the SVA CIO.

June 2016