Armed Forces Covenant Fund: Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme

Overview

The Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme will offer grants up to £100,000 for three-year projects that clearly address hidden or compelling needs identified in Armed Forces communities.

They are also looking for applications that can be clear about the evidence of why their project is needed, and how the impact of the project will continue after the grant has ended.

Overview

The Reaching and Supporting Armed Forces Communities programme will award grants of up to £100,000 over a period of up to three years. For exceptional projects, larger grants may be available.

• They are looking for projects that are specific and targeted; and this could include addressing hidden needs, as well as needs that are more well known.
• They are also looking for applications that can be clear about the evidence of why their project is needed, and how the impact of the project will continue after the grant has ended.
• They will be more likely to fund projects that focus on specific groups of people within Armed Forces communities, rather than more general approaches.
• They are also keen to see that the people who will benefit from the project have been able to shape how it will be delivered.

Hidden and compelling needs

They use the terms ‘hidden’ and ‘compelling’ to describe some complex needs that some people in Armed Forces communities experience.

A hidden need would be a less well understood or emerging need within Armed Forces communities, where a grant would make a significant difference. This could include projects for specific groups within Armed Forces communities who have not previously been able to access any sort of help, including charitable support or funding.

A compelling need would be a challenging and pressing need within Armed Forces communities which has a significant and limiting impact on a person's life. Projects looking at compelling needs might be looking at issues that are well known within Armed Forces communities, but where a specific and targeted project would make a significant and lasting difference. You can apply for funding for a project that addresses either a hidden, or a compelling need, or both.

What are they looking for?

They are looking for projects that are specific and targeted, rather than taking a generalist approach. They are also looking for applications that can be clear about the evidence of why their project is needed, and how the impact of the project will continue after the grant has ended. Your application should explain why the hidden or compelling needs that your project will address require resource, and explain the difference that this will make to people’s lives.

Eligibility

Charities and CICs can apply for a grant. There is more information in the programme guidance.

What’s available

You can apply for a grant of up to £100,000 in total towards a project being delivered over a period of two years or three years.

You may apply for funds towards a project that will take place over just one year, but you can then only apply for a maximum of £50,000.

You would need to be able to explain why you are only planning for one year’s worth of activity and show that your project would have a significant impact within this short period.

Enhanced grants

In exceptional cases, The Trust will consider awarding an enhanced grant to deliver an additional element. You can request up to £50,000 to enhance your project.

If you choose to request an enhanced element, you should be able to clearly explain why this additional funding would have a greater impact on Armed Forces communities in a clear and tangible way, and how these benefits would be sustained beyond the life of the grant.

The enhanced element of your project can be delivered concurrently with your main project; however, your main project must be a stand-alone project that should be delivered for £100,000 or less. If you apply for an enhanced grant, you must tell us what additional work your project would be able to deliver if you were to receive it.

Themes and priorities

This is a programme that will fund projects that will deliver significant changes or improvements for Armed Forces communities where there are hidden or compelling needs. They want to hear from those who know the most about what is needed and that’s why this year we are running such a broad programme.

If you apply for a grant, you need to show how this would help to address hidden, compelling and complex needs, for specific and identified beneficiaries, in a meaningful way, and where evidence has highlighted gaps in support and provision.

Your application will need to show that:

• Your project is needed and targeted: You should be able to clearly explain how the need for this project has been identified and how you will target the people who have the greatest need for support including needs related to cost-of-living challenges.
• It was developed with people from Armed Forces communities: Show us how the idea for your project has been shaped by the people it will benefit.
• It does not duplicate and is complementary to existing provision: Please show them how your project fills a gap in support.
• It will support longer-term change: This means there should be a wider impact to your work, which will endure beyond the life of your grant. Your project should show that it offers a positive benefit to members of Armed Forces communities.

They also need to be able to see that you have the skills and experience necessary to be able to carry out your project. You can work together with other organisations as part of your project. There is more information on working with others later in their guidance. It is important that the projects they award funding to complement one another rather than duplicate provision. You’ll be asked in your application form how you will ensure this.

Who can benefit?

There are a range of beneficiary groups that could be considered, this could include:

• People who have been bereaved.
• Those with unmet needs from physical/moral injury and/or mental ill health.
• People and their families who are serving or have served, who were born overseas.
• Armed Forces families coming to the UK.
• LGBT+ community.
• Female veterans.

Please note: This list is not exhaustive

For example:

A group of working age female veterans had some negative experiences while serving. They have started to engage with each other online to talk about their experiences; and provide support to each other. They have started to work with a veterans’ charity; but feel that what would help most would be to be able to receive support from a specialist organisation that supports women that have experienced harassment and bullying, but delivered in a way that understands their experiences whilst serving. Therefore, in their application the veterans’ charity proposes to collaborate with the specialist women’s organisation to develop a highly targeted project to meet the needs of these female veterans. They will also work with relevant NHS organisations to ensure that the veterans can access wider mental health support if needed. needs of Armed Forces families coming to the UK, veterans from LGBT+ communities, female veterans, and veterans and families with needs that make them particularly vulnerable.

Example of eligible costs

Your project might include the following costs.

• Staff time for this fixed-term project. This could be direct project work or for admin or to manage volunteers that may be involved in your project.
• Sessional staff or freelancers that you may need to run your project and activity.
• Reasonable travel costs including fares or mileage for project staff, volunteers or beneficiaries to enable participation in the project.
• Purchasing items that can enable activities to take place. This may include art materials, sports/games/outdoor equipment, supplies for breakfast or social hubs.
• Purchasing items that will help you to deliver your project, such as additional telephones or laptops.
• Reasonable costs for storing and transporting items, including wear and tear on private vehicles.
• Reasonable overheads, which reflect the cost to your organisation of delivering this project, taking account of recent cost increases.
• Appropriate clinical supervision for workers who are supporting vulnerable individuals.