The Ulverscroft Foundation Grant

The Ulverscroft Foundation supports projects that help visually impaired people. Within any group of people there will be an element of visual impairment; grants can only be considered if the VI element is significant.

Applications for funding can be considered from any source, UK or overseas. Applicants need not necessarily be a charity: they can be a CIC or social group.

Applications can be made in writing by downloading, completing and posting us an application form or, alternatively, by using our online application form. We also accept email applications. Please make your application as detailed as possible and be sure to review our application guidelines, our criteria for awarding grants as well as our specific bid categories before applying.

Our Trustees meet quarterly to consider applications: in January (deadline 15 December), April (deadline 15 March), July (deadline 15 June) and October (deadline 15 September). Please note: the dates of our meetings may be subject to change.

In making a decision about whether to support an application, our Trustees will take the following factors into account:

Sustainability: Preference will be given to projects which will lead to longer-term benefits after the initial funding has ended. Applications which have a short life span will have little weighting. For example, a bid to fund an audio-described theatrical performance is unlikely to succeed, while a bid to purchase equipment to provide this service on an ongoing basis would be more attractive.

Value for Money: The Ulverscroft Foundation has a duty to make best use of its resources. We will look at the overall project benefits, noting the number of people who will benefit, the costs and the timescale. You will need to show that you have eliminated unnecessary costs and that you have secured the best prices for any service, equipment or materials you propose to purchase.

Financial Viability: Our Trustees will examine your audited accounts to determine whether your organisation, and the particular project for which you are bidding, is financially viable. They will take into account the overall financial health of your organisation, your income and expenditure, and any other sources of funding which you are able to access.

Matched Funding: If you have approached other potential donors the Ulverscroft Foundation may pledge a sum of money to be released only when other funding is secured.

Scaleability: Our Trustees will consider all bids however small. However, some small-scale pilot projects may be capable of application on a larger scale, or may offer a model that can be adopted by other organisations.

Accessibility: Organisations we support are expected to build in accessibility to their services and premises as a matter of equal opportunity. You will need to demonstrate that your organisation has an Equal Opportunities Policy which is regularly monitored and reviewed.

Safeguarding: The Ulverscroft Foundation has no direct contact with those who benefit from our funding. However, the organisations we help fund, in the UK and abroad, work with some of the most vulnerable adults and children. We have a responsibility to ensure that all those who benefit from our support are able to do so in an environment which protects them from bullying, abuse or other forms of harm. You will need to demonstrate that your organisation has implemented a Safeguarding Policy and has procedures in place to implement and monitor the policy. Our own safeguarding policy can be found here.

Monitoring and Evaluation: If you have received a large grant or pledge (over £10,000) from the Foundation, we will require you to provide periodic updates on progress. You will need to demonstrate that our grant has been spent on the purposes for which it was awarded. Any variation will need to be approved by our Foundation before you proceed.