We aim to support cases where:
Applications must:
Note
Grants cannot be made retrospectively – but in cases where an unexpected grant is urgently required, provided that all the above criteria and endorsements are fully met (except the deadline for submission) The Trustees will consider the application, depending on the circumstances of the case. However, it should be noted that ‘outside of normal process’ applications may not always be as successful due to potential missing vital information and difficulty in the Trustees being able to fully consider every aspect of the application. ‘Outside of normal process’ applications must be submitted via the endorser (as described above e.g. GSL etc.) as a point of immediate contact.
To help you consider your case, here are some examples where support has been provided in the past, shown against the objectives:
Hardship and personal circumstances might prevent participation
The family of a Beaver Scout was facing extreme financial hardship and unable to pay his group subscriptions – the fund paid the subscriptions on behalf of the family. In this case, the leader had made the representation to the Trustees.
In a similar case, the fund paid the summer camp fees for a Scout, who would otherwise been unable to participate – again the leader made the representation.
As a result of the support provided, a wider group of Scouts (or a community) will benefit
The fund made a contribution to a group of Scouts who were making a trip to Romania to help build a well to bring fresh water supplies to a village.
The fund made a contribution to a leader who wanted to become qualified in Mountain Leadership in order to take Scouts, from the District, mountaineering. Whilst other sources of funding supported his training, there was considerable personal expense involved in gaining the necessary days of mountaineering experience outside of the training course (given that Basingstoke is not in close proximity to mountain ranges!)
Individuals (or a group) are aspiring to achieve a challenging goal (perhaps beyond the norm) out of which personal growth will be achieved
A group of Scouts decided to conduct their Queens Scout Award expedition in the Fish River Canyon of Namibia in Southern Africa – a notoriously hostile terrain, deep in a canyon and hundreds of miles from habitation. The Scouts raised their own funds for travel etc, but the trustees made a grant to fund the hire of a satellite telephone – an essential safety item, to call for help, if required.
We aim to support and promote actions which:
Note
The fund does not exist to build existing Groups capital assets or support financial crisis. However, should the closure of a thriving Group be threatened, the fund will consider support to enable recovery, providing longevity can be assured.
Applications must:
Note
Grants cannot be made retrospectively – but given the nature of Development requests, there should be no immediate urgency beyond the 3 scheduled meetings in the year. If this is not the case, an extra-ordinary meeting of the Trustees will be called.
To help you consider your case, here are some examples where it is expected that support would be granted, shown against the objectives:
Makes Scouting accessible to local communities as the town expands in size and diversity
An ex- Scout Leader from London moves into new houses in Marnel Park and suggests starting a new group in that area. She finds others who could be potentially leaders in the area and a community centre where the group could meet. She applies for £2000 to ‘pump prime’ the group to fund equipment and activities to initially start Beavers, Cub Scouts and Scouts.
A Scouter of an ethnic minority hears on the grapevine that a number of young people feel that Scouting isn’t for them because they feel it is a white, Christian organisation in Basingstoke. The Scouter seeks funding to start a Group for the ethnic minority with an ultimate plan to integrate the group with an established Group, once established.
Enables Scouts in the District to enjoy a wider range of programme activities and challenges
A Local Leader has qualified in the Caving Leadership Certificate, He would like to offer Caving as an activity for his Group and the District. He seeks a grant of £1500 to purchase an indoor Caving simulator to enable local training and enough Caving equipment for a group of 6 to go Caving.The Grant is made but with conditions (which would be standard for such grants) – The equipment is the property of the District and will remain so. The Group to which the Leader belongs becomes the custodian and are responsible for the upkeep of the equipment (albeit the Fund may make a reasonable contribution to repairs etc.). Whilst the Group may make use of the equipment, the Leader must make the opportunity for 20 other Scouts from the District to go Caving every year as a minimum.
Encourage new members to join Scouting at every level
A group is thriving but due to circumstances beyond their control a number of key leaders are having to leave the group and the area. Attempts to find replacements through contacts within the Group and through local media have failed. The Group Scout Leader wants to mount a recruitment campaign with flyers, posters and with a professional stand in the Town Centre over 2 weekends. The print costs are £250 and a substantial Gazebo with professional signage from Gilwell will cost a further £250.
The Group could fund it themselves, but they feel the District as a whole might pick up applicants. Also, the Group has found two Leaders who are prepared to cover the gaps for 6 months but will have to travel in from Alton – The Group wants to protect its funds to support the travel expenses of the temporary leaders.
The award is made on condition that the material is generic so that all elements could be used again in the future by any Group. The Gazebo and spare print material is held by the District.