Aims of the Fund
The Fund has been established to provide money to encourage and support community activities within Dumbarton, for the benefit of Dumbarton residents.
Who may apply and what can the grant be used for
Constituted non-profit making community groups.
What can the Grant be used for
A grant can be used for a specific activity and can include reasonable running costs.
How are applications assessed
The fund is competitive, and applications are considered on individual merit. Those groups which make the most convincing arguments for funding will be the most likely to succeed. There is a two stage application assessment.
Stage One
Consideration will be given to a range of factors. Including a requirement that the beneficiaries of the award are required to be at least 80% residents of Dumbarton and that the activity contributes to one of the Council’s strategic priorities. Other considerations to be assessed are the number of local people involved in the activity and benefiting from the activity, relative to the amount of grant being requested. A group’s own fund-raising efforts may be recognised and are encouraged.
Stage Two
Applicants will be assessed and scored on questions (Q2.5, Q2.6, Q2.8, Q3.3, and Q4.1) – each of these questions will be scored between 1 and 5. This means that an application can be scored anywhere between 5 and 25.
Applications will then be graded as follows:
- High Impact – Scores between 21 and 25
- Medium Impact – Scores between 11 and 20
- Low Impact – Scores between 5 and 10
High impact activities will be recommended to the Corporate Services Committee for approval.
Medium impact activities will be recommended to the Corporate Services Committee for approval subject to their being sufficient funds in the existing financial year budget to accommodate them.
Low impact activities will be recommended to the Corporate Services Committee for rejection.
How much is available
The total amount of funds available each year is limited. There is a maximum annual cap on any award given of £50,000. Value for money will be a main factor, and applications for larger amounts may have less chance since smaller grants allow more groups to be assisted.
The Fund may make a grant conditional upon additional matters being produced to their satisfaction.
Reasons for rejection
- Activity takes place out with Dumbarton
- Activity is not primarily for the benefit of Dumbarton residents
- Applications exceeding £50,000
- Application is made by a single individual rather than a group
- Activity which is not charitable in law
- Applications supporting any political party or from any applicant whose activities are political
- Applications from organisations which already receive substantial grant assistance from the local authority and other sources
- Lack of clarity over what the funding is to be spent on
- Activity which does not contribute to one of the Council’s strategic priorities
Specifically grants will not be given for:
- unspecified expenditure
- repayment of loans
- retrospective funding
- activities which will not start before the financial year for which applications are sought.
How to apply
Complete all questions on the form, upload your constitution or aims and objectives, proof of bank or building society account and a copy of your most recent accounts. If you require the application form in any other format please contact Trusts.specificgrants@west-dunbarton.gov.uk.
Successful applicants are notified after the Corporate Services Committee has made their decision.
Please send your application with all the documents to:
Email: Trusts.specificgrants@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
post to:
Chief Officer Resources
West Dunbartonshire Council
16 Church Street
Dumbarton
G82 1QL
When to apply & funding
Successful applications in 2025/26 will receive funding on a single year basis. Applicants will then need to re-apply and successful applicants will receive funding on a fixed term basis for a maximum of three years.
Application forms are available throughout the financial year.
Please email your application to: Trusts.specificgrants@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
General
- The grant can only be used for the purposes outlined in your application.
- The Fund’s liability is to pay the grant to the organisation. All other liabilities or claims are the responsibility of your organisation.
- After the grant has been awarded your organisation may be asked to provide information or details of financial records.
If you are asked for this information, you must provide it.
- You must normally spend your grant within 12 months from the date it was approved. If the details of your activity change you must let us know when you accept the grant or as soon as circumstances change from the original proposal.
A statement of all expenditure may be requested once the activity is completed or at an interim stage if the activity is ongoing. In the event funds are spent on purposes not outlined in the activity, action may be taken to claim the funding back.
- If you spend less than the amount of the grant award the surplus must be repaid to the Fund.
- Your organisation must have complete control of the activity.
- Any group receiving a grant should recognise the support of the Fund in all publicity material.
- Other conditions may also be set by the Fund.