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Grants Policy

Introduction to Grant Programme

The Rochester Bridge Trust grant programme for 2013 is now open for applications. The grant programme is intended to reflect the Trust’s own history, values, and activities. This year grants will be offered for projects that emphasize the Trust’s core activities:

  • Education, conservation, or research in the fields of
    • bridge engineering,
    • Kent history, or
    • Kent agriculture
  • Repair, conservation, or restoration of features of historical importance in listed buildings

Applicants may apply for grants of £500 to £4,000. However, funding is currently very limited, and only the best applications that meet the Trust’s priority areas are likely to receive funding.

Do not submit an application unless your project satisfies the criteria for funding. If you are in any doubt, please email the Bridge Clerk (Chief Executive) or telephone the Trust on 01634 846706, having first considered the requirements of the grants policy. Note that the office is usually open Monday-Thursday, 9.00am to 1.00pm. Applications will be successful only if they fall clearly within at least one of the categories above and comply fully with all of the conditions set out below.

 

Conditions for Award of Grants

  1. Grants will be made only to a registered charity, church or educational establishment operating within the historic county of Kent or in the parish of Holme with Conington in Cambridgeshire.

    The historic county of Kent includes the areas administered by Kent County Council, Medway Unitary Authority and the London Boroughs of Greenwich, Bromley, Bexley and Lewisham. Priority will be given to any applications with a historic connection to Rochester Bridge.

    Grants will not be made to individuals or through applications made by third parties (e.g. architects).

  2. With the exception of research projects, grants will be made only for capital works or for the purchase of materials and resources.

    Grants will not be made towards staffing or other running costs, events, functions, newsletters, marketing, or publicity. Applications for equipment and materials to support learning in engineering and science are particularly welcome.

  3. Grants will not be made for the purchase of vehicles or trailers (apart from heritage vehicles) nor for office equipment, including IT equipment and furniture.

  4. Grants for the conservation of heritage buildings will be made only for essential work to features of historic importance in a Listed Building.

  5. The grant sought from the Trust should represent approximately between 20% and 60% of the total cost of a project.

  6. Preference will be given to applications from organisations which have not previously received a grant from the Trust.

  7. The Trust will refer to the Charity Commission website for information about each applicant’s governance arrangements and financial position. Charities with annual income of less than £10,000, which are not required to post their accounts to the Charity Commission’s website, must include a copy of the latest accounts with their application.

  8. Funds will be released to successful applicants, when evidence has been received of the placing of contracts or other relevant evidence of readiness to incur expenditure. The Trust will not make retrospective grants towards the cost of projects already completed.

  9. A grant offered will lapse (in the absence of good cause to the satisfaction of the Trust), if not taken up within two years from the end of the Grant Year in which the application was made.

  10. The outcome of applications will be notified by post. Decisions will not be notified by telephone.

  11. The Trust will publish the award of grants on its website, in other publications, and through local media. Successful applicants are required to co-operate with the Trust’s appointed advisors to organise publicity and press coverage.

  12. The Trust would be pleased to receive information about the progress of projects to which it contributes, but does not wish to be kept informed upon the general progress and business of the successful applicants.

  13. To minimise administration costs for your organisation, please do not add the Trust’s details to mailing lists.