Anyone who regularly applies for a grant from the town council, or is thinking of applying, is urged to read the following information about changes to our process.
The Town Council has three grant budgets; Ramsgate Fund, Events Fund and Community Services.
For the last couple of years, the Council has considered grants on a monthly basis, which has been helpful to applicants in that they haven’t needed to wait long for a response, however, it has meant that the budgets are often exhausted early on in the year and the Council is unable to support year-round activities. And despite increasing the grant budgets, there remains more applicants than funds.
The Council has recently considered how we can improve the process for awarding grants and the following changes have been made:
- The Policy for Awarding Grants has been updated, please see the revised policy at www.ramsgatetown.org/upload/docs/Word%20docs/RTC%20Grant%20Funding%20Policy%202024.docx.
- Grants will be considered on a quarterly basis (not monthly) at Council meetings in May, August, November and February.
- A Grant Scrutiny Panel will be formed to go through applications and make recommendations to the full Council on how to proceed (the Panel will be advisory only). This Panel will:
- Review grant applications.
- Evaluate proposals.
- Conduct due diligence.
- Make funding recommendations.
- Ensure transparency.
- Uphold fairness and impartiality.
- Provide feedback (via the Town Clerk’s office).
- Monitor and evaluate outcomes.
- The Ramsgate Fund and Events Fund budgets will be spread out across the year (with 25% of the budget being available in each quarter).
- The remit of the grant budgets has been re-defined, see text below.
- There remains one grant application form that is used for all budgets; this can be found at www.ramsgatetown.org/upload/docs/Word%20docs/All%20Purpose%20Grant%20Application%20Form%202024.docx.
If you have any queries, please
email Kim or call 01843 598751.
Fund Definitions
Ramsgate Fund
The purpose of this grant is to assist community groups in implementing projects and providing services. Typically, the grant will be allocated for capital expenditures, although funding for operational expenses may be considered. However, it's important to note that utility bills and rates are not eligible expenses under this fund.
The maximum grant that can be awarded is £3,500 per annum.
Events Fund
To support and promote community events that enhance the cultural, social, or economic well-being of the town and its residents. These grants should aim to encourage civic engagement, foster community cohesion, and contribute to the vibrancy of Ramsgate. The funds should be allocated to events that are inclusive, accessible, and have a positive impact on the local community. Additionally, the grants should prioritise events that align with the strategic goals and priorities of the Town Council, such as tourism promotion, youth engagement, heritage preservation, or environmental sustainability. Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed event will benefit the community and how the grant funds will be used effectively to achieve its objectives.
No limit to grant given.
Community Services
This was the name given to cover a couple of grants that had been recurring for a few years, at the time this was the Citizens Advice Bureau and East Kent Rape Crisis Counselling Service.
To provide financial support to organisations that assist those in need in the community. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Economic hardship.
- Health and well-being.
- Education.
- Social isolation.
- Food insecurity.
- Domestic violence.
- Discrimination and inequality.
- Aging population.
- Youth empowerment.
- Environmental concerns.
The fund can be used to fund staff (incl. consultants and sessional workers), but not utilities and rates.
No limit to grant given.