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The Box Grants - what they are and how to apply

The Box offers three types of grants: feasibility funding; start-up funding for new start enterprises and funding for existing enterprises wishing to expand.  All three funding streams will pay capital and/or revenue to a maximum of 100%.  There's no need to match fund. Funding will pay for salaries under the new enterprise stream, and will pay for new salaries under the existing enterprise stream.  However, there's a process to go through prior to reaching the grant application stage.

NB: No further applications for grant support are being accepted

 Stage 2


Click here to download stage 3 documents

Stage 1 – Options Appraisal

Please complete the options appraisal form.
You can download the form as a pdf by clicking here or on stage 1 above and send it in by post.
All completed forms should be returned to Mike Brockbank (see contact page)

Stage 2 – Referral
 
Once your options appraisal has been assessed  you'll be referred to a business adviser who'll provide the necessary support to take your idea onto the funding application stage.
Stage 3 – Funding
 
After completing the first two stages, you then qualify for Stage 3 which can be accessed by clicking here or on stage 3 above.
 
Stage 4 - Support
 
Stage 4 of the programme is available to those applicants after grant application stage.  Should an applicant be successful, then he/she will receive time-limited, diminishing support, whilst the new social enterprise is ‘bedding in’.  It is pointless awarding an organisation a grant, and then expect them to start running a business.  Research suggests that this is a crucial time in the life of a social enterprise, and it only reasonable to expect support.
 
In those cases where an application fails, a full de-brief will be offered to the applicant(s) to ensure they are aware of the reasons for failure.  In some cases it may be possible to make a further application, but that will be dependant on the reasons cited by the grants panel as to why the application had been unsuccessful.
 
 
Procurement and Tendering
Many social enterprises' income not only includes trading and grants, but also includes payment for the delivery of public services.  This service delivery is  often done by way of contract, whereby a public sector organisation, such as a local authority, or primary care trust, will commission service delivery by way of tender.  This means that a social enterprise can bid for a contract, similar to applying for a grant.  Contract tenders are often publicised in local newspapers, and on public sector web sites.
 
There are three web addresses which are worth 'bookmarking' if you are considering tendering for a contract:
 
www.supply2.gov.uk for Government contracts
 
www.thechest.nwce.gov.uk for local authority contracts
 
www.ted.europa.eu for European contracts
 
If you are considering tendering for a contract, it might be worth contacting Mike Brockbank at The Box on mikeb@the-box.org.uk for advice.
you are here: Grants & Funding
click here to view our website accessibility policiesclick here for a text-only version of the site Details Of The 4 Stage Process

click on the stages below to find out more:

Stage One

To be considered for the project community groups and/or potential social entrepreneurs will be seen by either a community development worker, or the project co-ordinator.

The development worker and the co-ordinator will assess whether the proposed idea is suitable as a social enterprise, and will complete an options appraisal form. This will help the applicant to decide which route suits them the best.

Stage Two

Having undertaken the options appraisal, the applicant will be referred by the co-ordinator to one of three business advisers.

These advisers are contracted to provide all the support and advice necessary to take the applicant up to grant application stage. This support will include writing business plans, financial forecasts, legal structures, and anything else required to assist the applicant into becoming a social enterprise. Any training needs will be identified and referred back to the co-ordinator who will source the necessary training.

Stage Three

Once Stage 2 has been successfully dealt with the applicant will be referred to Furness Enterprise. There the application, business plan and supporting paperwork will be assessed by an independent business adviser to ensure that nothing has been omitted, and that the business plan supports the application. The application is then submitted to the grants panel.

Applicants will be expected to give a short ten minute presentation to the panel, thus affording panel members the opportunity to ask questions of the applicant, and to gauge commitment and sincerity. Once it has been agreed that a grant should be awarded, the applicant will be informed by way of a grant offer letter. This letter will stipulate any conditions, if any, that are attached to the grant.

It is anticipated that the result of the application will be known within the following timescales:-

Under £5,000 – two weeks; between £5,000 and £20,000 – four weeks; above £20,000 – six weeks. These are some of the fastest turn-around times for grant awards.

Stage Four

Stage 4 of the programme is available to those applicants after grant application stage. Should an applicant be successful, then he/she will receive time-limited, diminishing support, whilst the new social enterprise is ‘bedding in’. It is pointless awarding an organisation a grant, and then expect them to start running a business. Research suggests that this is a crucial time in the life of a social enterprise, and it only reasonable to expect support.

In those cases where an application fails, a full de-brief will be offered to the applicant(s) to ensure they are aware of the reasons for failure. In some cases it may be possible to make a further application, but that will be dependant on the reasons cited by the grants panel as to why the application had been unsuccessful.