WHAT IS THE SOUTH WEST YMCA TRUST FUND? (SWTF)
The SWTF has been in existence since 1989 and between its foundation and today it has distributed up to £250k to Local YMCA’s in what is known as the South West Region of YMCAs. There are eight Trustees, that between them, have gathered a large amount of YMCA experience at Local, Regional and National level.
Previously,representation covered the original four divisional areas known as Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Western. The Trust Deed has since been amended in 2016 so that the Trust Fund Trustees can now make decisions free from external influences.
Trustees of the fund meet at least twice a year and agree the best course of action for the SWTF investments. The level of grants awarded annually is now solely dependent on the investments made by the Trustees. Presently, the investments are monitored by EdenTree Investment Management Limited.
The accounts are audited annually, the present auditors being Karen Warne FMAAT, ATT, The Accounting Equation,Parade Chambers,10 Parade Street, Penzance,Cornwall,TR18 4BU.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Any local Association in the geographical area known as the South West Area of YMCAs.
THE FUND CANNOT HELP WITH ALL APPLICATIONS.
The Trustees deliberate long and hard to be as fair and reasonable as they can be with all grant applications, but it is important that applications meet the criteria of the fund. If applications are outside the remit of the Trust Fund, they will not be considered.
WHAT IS THE FUNDING CRITERIA?
- For the development of a sense of belonging to the YMCA Movement and a better understanding of the YMCA and the voluntary membership principle.
- For training and education which has a Christian and spiritual purpose for young people between the ages of 9 – 25 years.
- For assistance in the training and development of both staff and those who have responsibility for the governance of a local YMCA.
- For the development of new YMCA work and collaborative work among local YMCAs in the geographical area of South West England.
- For the assistance towards special emergency requests.
The Trust Fund also welcomes applications from individuals, groups or associations that are seeking to more fully understand the nature of the YMCA movement – for example:-
- Is it a membershipmovement or a service movement?
- Does it have a sense of being called to fulfil its work by God?
- How does it undertake 'Kingdom work’?
It is understood such a study/coursewould lead to greater commitment, greater credibility with local churches and with energy and enthusiasm, engender joint work within the local community.
Any grant monies must be spent and evidenced by sending the SWTF Secretary a complete ‘end of grant report’ together with appropriate receipts.
HOW MUCH CAN BE APPLIED FOR?
Grants range from £200 to £2000 (in exceptional circumstances, higher grants may be awarded at the discretion of the Trustees).
WHEN CAN APPLICATIONS BE MADE?
Trustee Meetings take place twice annually – 1st Saturday in May and 1st Saturday in November. Please contact the SWTF Secretary for meeting dates and application deadlines, which usually are at least a fortnight before Trustee meetings.
MAKING AN APPLICATION
You will need to complete an Application Form, available from the South West YMCA Trust Fund website or by telephoning 01736 79432 to request one of the three application forms. The completed application form will need to demonstrate:
- How your Project fits the criteria
- The signature of the Chairperson or the Treasurer of the Association (clearly printed and signed)
- You will be asked to confirm that you have a suitable Health and Safety Policy or Risk Assessment for the Project.
- A /Safeguarding Policy (covering children and young people and/or vulnerable adults), including procedures for undertaking DBS checks.
- All applications must be sent through the post as hard copies, clearly signed by a named Officer of the YMCA usually the CEO or Treasurer, in order to be accepted and considered.
- As previously stated, grant applications must be received at least two complete weeks before the May and November Trustees meetings.
- It is expected that YMCAs themselves will contribute financially towards the activity, event, equipment that SWTF is being asked to contribute towards.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Once we have received your completed Grant Application through the post, it will be sent to all Trustees a least one week prior to their Meeting. You will receive the result of your Application in writing within seven working days after the Trustees Meeting.
CHANGE OF GRANT USE AND TIMEFRAME
The Grant awarded must be spent for its approved purpose within the timeframe specified in your Application Form.
Failing to do this may result in funds needing to be returned. No work should be started ahead of grants being allocated without the prior approval of SWTF otherwise funding will need to be withdrawn.
Please be reminded that any grant applied for and given must be used within three months of the successful grant notification being received. If not, the grant offer will be withdrawn.
GRANTS WILL NOT BE AWARDED FOR:
- Works or equipment already committed, bought or completed (including trips).
- Unspecified expenditure.
- Funding applications for equipping housing projects such as furnishings, carpets,
- upholstery, white goods.
- Requests not directly relating to any proposed Project.
- Training which needs continual year on year funding, would have to be re-applied for after each twelve months period.
DECISIONS
Please note there is limited monies in the South West YMCA Trust Fund, so not all eligible applications can be funded. In every case, the decision of the Trustees is final.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Those who submit a successful grantapplication must agree to submit an end of Grant Report.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
If you need more information, please contact:
SWTF Secretary,Chyreene Warra,Rosehill,Marazion,Cornwall,
TR17 0HB – TEL: 07979 856456 – EMAIL:
Examples of General Grants Awarded
Baby Changing Station £130
Installation of new ‘made to measure’-“preservation order” windows £4000
Equipment for nursery £500
National Service in Taunton £1500
External painting of YMCA £500
Community Youth café £1274
Examples of Training Grants
Y Give It A Go – taster sessions for Young people £1500
50 years of TenSing in Norway from Kingswood young people £400
Young people kitchen training £630
Twinning with YMCA in India £500
Board Member Training £2220
NVQ. In Youth work £428
Empowering the youth forum to manage their own equipment budget under supervision of the Youth Development Worker £500
Examples of Emergency Grants
Residential Centre on Dartmoor urgently required replacing its mattresses (30 in total) £1000
Replacement of Fire Escape £2256