Before diving into your funding application, there are a few basics your organisation should have in place – consider these your pre-application essentials:

1. A Governing Document, like a Constitution

This document outlines your organisation's name, purpose, and how it works and makes decisions. If you need support on drafting a constitution, please contact our local voluntary sector council, Medrwn Môn.

2. Committee or Board with Unrelated Members

Ensure your committee or board has at least two unrelated members. "Unrelated" here means individuals who are not family members, such as siblings, parents and children, married couples or civil partners, or people residing at the same address.

3. Bank Account in the organisation's name

Your organisation must have a bank account in it's name, as outlined in your constitution or governing document. Additionally, you'll need to make sure that a minimum of two unrelated individuals are required for any fund transfers from the account.

4. Unspent grant funding/active grant

Before applying, ensure that your organisation does not possess any active grants or unutilised funds from previous grants with the charity.

While applications may be submitted annually, it is imperative that each submission showcases evidence of significant change or development. This requirement not only ensures accountability but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and maximizes the impact of our limited resources.

Unsure of whether you’re able to apply? E-mail post@elusennol.org and we’ll be happy to help.

Our funding can be in support of (but not limited to):

• Public amenities and facilities (such as playgrounds, community spaces);

• Training for citizens in skilled and semi-skilled employment, trade and professions;

• The relief of sick persons resident on the Island;

• Societies and voluntary organisations providing sporting, recreational or leisure time facilities;

• Schools, playgroups, and places of worship;

• The arts, including festivals, museums, galleries and libraries;

• Publication of educational research projects;

• The protection and safeguarding of the environment and countryside; and

• The preservation and conservation of buildings or land of aesthetic, historical, architectural, or scientific interest or importance.

Types of funding

We welcome applications for various funding needs, including capital, revenue, and running costs.

• For capital costs, we require two quotations for the proposed works to ensure transparency and cost-effectiveness.

• Applicants seeking revenue support must provide detailed itemisation or outlining of their expenses.

• Additionally, for running costs applications, we ask for a breakdown of the running costs incurred in the previous financial year (2022-2023). This information helps us evaluate the financial sustainability and operational efficiency of the projects we support, enabling us to make informed funding decisions that align with our mission and goals.

In any given year, we may receive many more applications than we are able to fund. We can only support those projects which most closely align with our vision and mission.

• Political parties

• Party political campaigning

• Lobbying campaigns

• Non-charitable activities

• Any project not compliant with charity law

• Vehicles

• Consumables (uniforms / sports kits / food and refreshments)

• Grant-making organisations

We can’t accept applications from:

• sole traders

• individuals

• companies limited by shares

• organisations outside the UK/do not work for the benefit of the people of Ynys Môn

• one organisation applying on behalf of another.

We Offer Three Main Grant Streams:

Community Prevention

• Funding Range: £300 to £50,000 (with sums over £50,000 only considered in exceptional circumstances)

  This stream supports projects that tackle the root causes of community challenges, with the aim of preventing problems before they arise. These grants aim to strengthen community well-being, promote early intervention, and create long-term positive change.

  The Application Process

• Applications up to £10,000: Submit a full application directly.

• Applications over £10,000: Start with an Expression of Interest (EOI). If your EOI is successful, you will be invited to share full application details and take part in a site visit to discuss your project in more detail.

Innovation

• Funding Range: Up to £3,000

  This fund is designed for bold, creative projects that present new and innovative solutions to community challenges. We are looking for ideas that push boundaries, test new approaches and inspire change.

  If you have a fresh and imaginative concept that could make a significant impact, this fund is for you.

  The Application Process

  A simple, one-step application process that requires a brief description of your project and any relevant supporting documents.

Essential

• Funding Range: Up to £5,000

  This stream provides funding for projects that provide essential, ongoing support to meet immediate needs in the community. It is ideal for maintaining essential services and covering running costs, such as maintenance, heating, lighting, water and insurance.

  The Application Process

  A simple one-step application process. Applicants are asked to outline their project needs and submit any necessary financial documentation.

Please note: We will not consider applications from organisations that hold more than 12 months of running costs in unrestricted reserves. This is because our funding is intended to support groups and organisations that have an immediate need for financial assistance to sustain or enhance their services, rather than those with significant reserve funds available.

Timetable

Our grant applications are open throughout the year. However, we temporarily close to applications between 1 August and 30 September to process existing applications and prepare for the next funding cycle.

Applications submitted close to this period may experience delays.

Applications for each stream are normally reviewed within 12 weeks of submission. However, review times may vary depending on the number of applications we receive.

Important Notes

Multi-Year Funding: Our trustees may consider multi-year funding proposals, particularly for projects under the Community Prevention stream. However, single projects with a total budget of more than £50,000 will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Applicants are encouraged to structure their proposals accordingly (e.g., distributing £50,000 annually over a three-year project).

No Fixed Deadlines: Although there are no fixed deadlines, we advise applicants to submit well before the end of July to avoid delays as we approach our annual break. For questions or assistance with your application, contact us at post@elusennol.org

All applications are reviewed by our board of Trustees.

Scoring Criteria

Community Prevention

• Impact: We prioritise projects that have the potential to make a significant and lasting difference. Applicants should demonstrate how their project will create meaningful, long-term improvements in community well-being, environmental sustainability, or community resilience.

• Community Engagement: Projects must be driven by the needs and priorities expressed by the community. Applicants should clearly outline how the community has been involved in shaping the project and how active participation will be maintained throughout the project.

• Sustainability: Applicants must provide a clear plan for how the benefits of their project will continue beyond the funding period. This includes outlining strategies for sustaining impact, securing future resources, and building community capacity.

Innovation

• Innovative Approach: We are looking for projects that bring new or creative ideas to the community. Applicants should clearly explain how their approach differs from traditional approaches and how it has the potential to have a meaningful impact. This doesn't have to be cutting edge - it could be a simple but effective idea that brings fresh energy or engagement to the community.

• Potential for Impact: Although risk is associated with innovation, we expect applicants to describe the positive outcomes anticipated and how they will be measured. Projects should aim to address a clear community need with the potential for scalable or replicable outcomes.

• Feasibility: Despite the innovative nature of the projects, applicants must present a practical and achievable plan. This includes a realistic budget, clear timelines, and an assessment of the resources and partnerships needed for successful implementation.

Essential

• Urgent and Needed: We prioritise projects that provide essential, ongoing support to meet immediate community needs. Applicants should provide strong evidence of the urgency and importance of their project, as well as the specific needs it addresses.

• Community Benefit: Projects should have a direct and measurable benefit to the community. Applicants should outline who will benefit from the project and how the support provided will improve their quality of life or well-being.

• Operational Efficiency: Applicants must demonstrate that they have effective and efficient plans for using the funding. This includes detailing how funding will cover essential running costs, such as care, utilities, or insurance, and ensuring that the project can be delivered smoothly and responsibly.

Details of all successful grant applications can be accessed from the links below:

• Grants approved 2022-23

• Grants approved 2021-22

• Grants approved 2020-21

• Grants approved 2019-20

We aim to be as transparent as possible about our grant-making. To further our commitment, we hope to publish all of our grant-making data on 360Giving over the next year.