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Our grants for only for Lambeth residents on low incomes
Why is this?
Because that is who we exist to help. It was the aim of Mr Walcot – our principal benefactor – when he established his charity in the 1660s. It remains the aim of our present Charity Commission Schemes.
What financial eligibility test can our organisation use?
So as to be fair and consistent we use the same financial eligibility test in every application we consider. The formula we use takes into account household size and composition; operates on an 'after housing costs' basis and it makes reference to the government’s poverty line.
We do not ask those organisations applying to us to use our relatively complex formula (although they are welcome to). Instead, we have developed, with the help of ADP Consultancy a financial eligibility template that organisations can use to verify that the individuals they work with meet our threshold.
We have made this template as simple to complete and as non-intrusive to use as possible. Organisations are welcome to modify it - but check with us before using any modified version so that we can confirm we are happy with it.
Where funded organisations are working with schools
Where organisations are working with schools it is possible to ask schools to refer a certain number of pupils in receipt of free schools meals (or financially eligible for free school meals but not eligible for other reasons or financially eligible for free school meals but choose not to take it up). This method eliminates the need for the financial eligibility template described above. The ratio of Lambeth-resident Free School Meals referrals to the total number of project/service participants should be at least equal to the ratio of Walcot Foundation funding to total funding. Our grants team will be glad to talk this over in specific cases.
Please note that where organisations make a reasonable (relative to organisation size and reach) number of regular successful referrals to the Foundation’s grants programmes for individuals, we become much more relaxed about financial eligibility. This is because regular, successful, referrals are perhaps the best indicator that organisations are working with those the Foundation exists to assist in ways that enable individuals to move from financial disadvantage to financial self-sufficiency. In this way, applicant organisations can build up our confidence that their work is seriously concerned with the people we exist to serve.
What if our project or service is open access? Does the Walcot Foundation think that Lambeth residents from low income households should be isolated or ghettoised?
Absolutely not! We like projects and services that mix individuals from the full socio-economic spectrum. It is just that our grants must be targeted on those facing financial disadvantage (and the all-too-often social disadvantages which follow). We believe that for organisations to ensure their sustainability they ought to bring in funding from a range of sources. Apply to us for those that meet our criteria and seek funds elsewhere for those who do not.
If you are an organisation which is thinking of seeking a grant from us, do call our grants staff with any questions. We will do our very best to help.