Laughology: THE HAPPINESS FUND
Overview
Funding is available for grassroots, neighbourhood-based community projects that build happy, strong, resilient communities across the UK.
The fund is intended to support the setting up of new groups and activities, but to be successful, applicants will need to indicate how the activity/group can become self-sustainable or able to attract funding from other sources for the longer term.
Funding
The fund will award £5,000 twice a year - allowing up to two different projects/ charities or CIC’s per year to apply. You cannot re-apply if you have won funding from the Happiness fund in the last 24 months
Objectives and outcomes
To build happy, strong, resilient communities by supporting grassroots, not-for-profit projects that enable sustainable outcomes in:
- Mental health Wellbeing & happiness
- Inclusion
- Learning and skills development
Who can apply?
To apply for the fund your project must be: (applications are welcomed from individuals and small businesses)
- Based in your local community
- Non-profit
- Non-political
- Focused on longevity
Who should and who shouldn’t apply?
They are specifically looking for grassroots organisations that are set up for and by the local community. They will not consider projects that are linked to larger organisations, already have access to funding that is ongoing or multi-national and national charities. Whilst they recognise all this work is important, The Happiness Fund is designed to impact local communities and support happiness projects that are for the community by the community.
Guidance Notes
- The funding available is £5,000 per project.
- All funding will be one-off and non-recurring. However, organisations can still apply to this fund for another purpose e.g., to start up a different club or activity.
- Funding can only be deposited into a bank account in the project/group name, no personal accounts.
- Groups/projects must be able to provide clear evidence of how the fund was used (receipts, invoices etc)
- Organisations cannot be involved in the decision-making panel at which their application is being considered.
- Each project lead will be expected to submit a short proforma report with photographic evidence to the panel but monitoring of the funds will be ‘light touch'.
- These reports will provide information on how the money was spent, what impact the funding has made, feedback from the people taking part, how the project is being sustained (where successful) etc.
- The project should provide regular updates (blogs, articles, images) which Laughology can use on its website and social media to promote the project (Laughology has final edit over content)