Funding and Assistance in Kind

Funding and Assistance in Kind Support for Voluntary Organisations

In 2007/08 the Council’s contribution to the annual expenditure of voluntary activity in the area is in excess of £14m, originating primarily from within the budgets of Chief Executive's Office, Education Culture and Sport Service and Social Work Service. Other resources from other Services within the Council are also available to voluntary organisations to promote community development type projects. A list of grant schemes is available.

Through the current voluntary sector policy (Pdf 39kb) The Highland Council targets resources in a way that takes account of "Service priorities" and "evidence of need". Further information on funding can be obtained from the council’s policy document however its important to recognise that financial assistance is, as stated in the policy, subject to the following principles:

• Support is allocated on the basis of the Council’s Corporate Plan Priorities.
• Support is based on merit, evidence of need and community benefit.
• Appropriate levels of monitoring and evaluation being undertaken to ensure the propriety, efficiency and effectiveness of the use of Council support.

The Council seeks to determine its funding priorities in March, following confirmation of the budget process. This helps ensure that payments can be made to organisations early in the financial year, which commences on 1st April in any calendar year.

To allow proper consideration of applications for funding it is desirable that voluntary organisations submit their proposals and other reports as required by the funding process by the pre-ceding December. Occasionally however a few of the grants schemes seek applications only after the available funding has been confirmed. Please check specific timetable details within each grant scheme.

Most voluntary organisations already have contacts within the council with whom they liaise on funding. New applicants, unable to identify an appropriate contact from within the guidance notes on specific grants should write in the first instance to the Council Ward Managers or Chief Executive. 

The Council’s grant schemes have a specific grant application form to be completed. Forms are increasingly being made available electronically but alternatively these can be posted out or collected from any one of the council’s Service Points.

The Council is about to review the Voluntary Sector Policy in partnership with the Voluntary Sector in the Highlands.

Service Agreements

The Council currently seeks to cement it principle relationships with voluntary sector organisations through three-year service agreements. This removes the requirement to submit annual grant applications with the service agreement detailing its own performance reporting procedures.

Volunteering Policy

The Council has stated its commitment to volunteering through its volunteering policy (pdf 23 kb).  This policy seeks to encourage volunteering across the Highlands and was adopted by the Council in September 2002.