We are committed to making a positive impact in our area by funding not-for-profit organisations that align with our strategic priorities.
To help you with your grant application, we have developed some simple requirements to follow. Please note, we will not fund work that doesn’t meet all of them.
What we fund:
- Usage: we accept applications for grants to cover either a project or core costs.
- Organisation status: we only award grants to not-for-profit organisations, such as charities, CICs and community groups.
- Amount: the maximum grant you can apply for is £10,000 per year.
- Location: your work must benefit those within the Cheshire West and Chester boundary (see map below) or Saltney.
- Focus: your work must align with our goals of tackling the causes of poverty, disadvantage and inequality.
- Governance: your organisation needs to have effective and transparent management.
- Sustainability: your organisation and the work you do should be sustainable.
- Impact: you need to be able to demonstrate the quantitative and/or qualitative impact of the grant.
We will not fund:
- Core costs or projects that are exclusively for religious purposes. However, we do fund religious organisations if the grant benefits those experiencing poverty, disadvantage and inequality.
- Work that is primarily the responsibility of statutory authorities.
- Similar project or core costs that we have funded in the last two years.
- Grants to individuals.
- Grants to commercial organisations.
- Work that takes place in or is delivered by fee-paying schools.
- Work that we feel is similar to that being run by another organisation we are already supporting.
If you are considering submitting an application, please ensure that your application meets the above criteria. We invite any potential applicant to have an initial chat about your work and discuss your suitability for a grant award before applying.
We have created a guidance document with further information about completing our application form, which can be read here.
Please note, all successful grant applicants must agree with our grant award terms and conditions, found here.
Our application process
If you wish to apply and are happy that your application meets the above criteria, please:
- Download the form below and return your completed form, latest accounts and governing document to us, along with any relevant documents including impact reports. If you are unable to access the form, please contact us.
- You will receive confirmation of your application within one week.
- Our applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Notification of the outcome of your grant request will be sent within six weeks after the quarter end which followed your application submission. Our quarter ends are March 31st, June 30th, September 30th and December 31st.
Still have questions?
Please email office@thechesterbluecoatcharity.co.uk or call us on 01244 345787. We aim to reply to all queries within one week.
Grant coverage area
