Eligibility

Are you a not for profit, formal voluntary or community group?

Can you demonstrate that your group is connected with and/or meeting the needs of the local community?

Have you been in operation for at least 12 months?

If you can answer yes then please move on to the following more detailed questions.

Governing Documents

Do you have a constitution/governing document?

Is the name of your organisation the same as in the constitution?

Does your constitution:-

•  clearly describe the aim and purpose of your organisation?

•  show the objects of the group?

•  have a dissolution clause?

Does your project fit in with the aims of the constitution?

Does your organisation have an equalities policy, child protection policy(if appropriate) and health and safety policy (if appropriate)?

If you have answered “No” to any of the above questions then please contact Vanessa Levy at Watford CVS to arrange an organisational health check.  This will help you get your governing documents in order so that you will be able to apply for a Grassroots grant.  Having this done will also prove useful for when other grants are applied for.

Contact:  vanessa.levy@watfordcvs.net

Management Committee

Do you have a management committee of at least four members?

Are members of the management committee free from any conflicts of interest with regard to the organisation?

Do the management committee members gain no financial benefit from their involvement in the organisation?

Do you have regular meetings and an annual general meeting?

Is it clear how the committee is elected?

Is your committee predominantly volunteer led?

Can you supply a list of committee members and their addresses?

If you have answered “No” to any of the above questions then please contact Vanessa Levy at Watford CVS to arrange an organisational health check.  This will help you get your governing documents in order so that you will be able to apply for a Grassroots grant.  Having this done will also prove useful for when other grants are applied for.

Contact:  vanessa.levy@watfordcvs.net

Bank Account and Finances

Do you have an accounting system and end of year accounts?

Do you have at least two authorised signatories who are also committee members?

Are the signatories un-related?

Can you provide documents to prove your income, averaged over the last three years, is less than £30,000 per year?

Can you provide bank statements from the last three months?

Can you provide your last set of annual accounts?

If you have answered “No” to any of the questions on accounts and finances then please contact Syed Ahmed at Watford CVS who will be able to help you with any problems that you have.

Contact:  syed.ahmed@watfordcvs.net