Grants Policy

The grant programme is intended to reflect the Trust's own history, values, activities, and objectives. To this end, applications are encouraged for the following types of project:

• conservation of the historic fabric of churches and heritage buildings with an emphasis on features of historical importance;
• education and conservation of artefacts in the field of Kent history; construction (particularly bridges and tunnels), and agriculture;
• projects to preserve, improve and develop further understanding of the history of the River Medway and its crossings;
• projects making active and appropriate use of the River Medway;
• constructive and educational activities for children and young people, particularly those with severe disabilities or in deprived areas.

The Trust makes limited total funds available for grants and applications are only likely to be successful if they fall within one of the categories above and comply fully with the conditions set out below:

1. Grants will be made only to a registered charity or to a body whose purpose is charitable, operating in the fields of education, health, heritage or community benefit primarily within the historic county of Kent.

   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 applications from the areas of the Contributory Parishes historically charged with responsibility for maintaining Rochester Bridge; and projects local to the Trust's main landholdings. In Kent, this generally means the local authority areas of Dartford, Gravesham, Maidstone, Medway and Swale; the parishes of Westerham and Fawkham. In Cambridgeshire, this means the parish of Holme with Conington.

2. Grants will not be made to individuals.

   This exclusion includes sponsorship for expeditions and fundraising, and also to applications for equipment, travel, etc. made for an individual's benefit whether directly or through a charitable body.

3. Grants will not be made to pet-care charities or general animal charities.
4. Normally grants will be made for capital purposes only.

   In particular, grants will not be made towards staffing or other running costs, training events, or functions.

5. Grants will not be made for the purchase of vehicles (apart from heritage vehicles) nor for office equipment, including IT equipment, that supports the running of an organisation rather than being available directly for the beneficiaries of a charity or contributing directly to a charity's objectives.

   This exclusion covers computers for the production of newsletters etc. and for communication with volunteers and supports; office furniture and adaptations; printers and photocopiers; and other similar equipment.

6. Normally grants will not be made towards construction, improvement, refurbishment or other projects associated with community centres, village halls, parish halls, club or association buildings, sports pitches, or mainstream schools or colleges.

   Grants are not usually made to mainstream schools and colleges, whether funded by the private, state, faith or charitable sectors, although projects aimed at encouraging interest and learning in the field of civil engineering, Rochester or River Medway history, or agriculture will be considered. The Trust may consider grants to assist with the creation of new educational establishments.

7. Normally grants will not be made to nursing or care homes and childcare nurseries, except those providing support to severely disabled people and/or seriously disadvantaged children.

   This exclusion applies to facilities operated as Industrial and Provident societies and charities, as well as by the private sector.

8. The Trust will not fund routine maintenance work to buildings. When an application relates to major restoration and repair projects for buildings, preference will be given to those applications which identify a specific project.

   For example, an application might seek a grant towards "the restoration of the Norman west door" as part of a major church refurbishment project.

   The Trust will not make general grants to major projects where its contribution would be a very small proportion of the total required (e.g. less than 10%).
9. The Trust will consider making a grant to projects which preserve the historic fabric of churches and heritage buildings but will not normally fund modernisation initiatives, e.g. kitchens, toilets, access improvements, heating, water supply.
10. The Trust makes limited total funds available for the making of grants. Therefore, in general, preference will be given to applications from organisations which have not previously received a grant from the Trust.

    A register of grants made each year is maintained. If a second or subsequent application for funding is made, this should set out any special case for further funding in preference to first time applications.

11. Every application must include a copy of the applicant's latest available accounts.

    The applicant's accounts will be reviewed by the Chief Finance Officer and advice given to the Trust regarding financial viability of the organisation, sustainability of the project and the level of unencumbered reserves.

12. Funds will not normally be released until evidence has been received of the placing of contracts or other relevant evidence of readiness to incur expenditure.

    A copy of a relevant invoice or order to a contractor or supplier will generally suffice. Retrospective grants are not made towards the cost of projects already completed.

13. 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.

    Applicants are requested to advise the Trust if the need for the grant has lapsed or significant delays to progress are anticipated.

14. Representatives of the Trust do not expect to meet with applicants either prior to consideration of their applications or after it has been granted.

    From time to time, the Bridge Clerk may request a meeting with an applicant in order to clarify details of a project before an application is considered.

    The outcome of applications will be notified by post It is not generally possible to provide details of the Trust's decision by telephone.

15. Unless specifically requested, no permanent acknowledgement of the making of a grant is required although it will be acceptable if a grantee wishes to provide one.

    Any acknowledgement which a recipient chooses to give shall be styled "The Rochester Bridge Trust".

16. The Trust will publish the award of grants on its website, in other publications, and through local media.
17. The Trust expects successful applicants to publicise the receipt of grant funding and, where possible, the Trust will assist with organising appropriate publicity and press coverage on request.
18. The Trust would be pleased to receive information about the progress of projects which it contributes to, but does not wish to be kept informed upon the general progress and business of the successful applicants.

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