Cist Gwynedd - Community Support Fund

The Community Support Fund is a Capital and/or Revenue fund.

Applications can be made for up to:

• Capital - £20,000
• Revenue - £10,000

A group that has received a grant from the fund in the past may apply for a new project once all monitoring requirements of the original grant have been satisfied.

Applications are expected to be based on new projects or services, or new ways of delivering services, that achieve clear and specific objectives.

We will not fund day‑to‑day maintenance work or core costs.

We will not fund extensions to existing jobs - they must be new posts created through the project, including an explanation of the long‑term plan to sustain the post after the grant period.

• Voluntary or unregistered establishment (with a constitution)
• Not for profit company
• Registered Charity
• Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO or SCIO)                
• Community Interest Company (CIC)

If promoting religion is your group’s main aim, you will need to prove that what the grant is supporting is available to the whole community.

It will be a requirement that every project approved complies with the terms and conditions of the Community Support Fund. In some circumstances special conditions may be placed on a project.

Who CANNOT apply:

Although Town/Community Councils may contribute financially to a project or work in partnership with a third‑sector group, they cannot apply directly due to their status as local statutory authorities.

We do not accept applications from:

• individuals
• sole traders
• organisations based outside the UK
• companies that can distribute profit to directors, shareholders, or members (including companies limited by shares)

Community groups with a project for the benefit of Gwynedd residents may apply for support through the Community Support Fund. The following criteria must be met to apply:

1. Must be a community or voluntary organisation located or operating within Gwynedd. If you are a company (including companies also registered as Charities, Community Benefit Societies etc.), you must have at least 3 unrelated directors.
   People are considered related if they:
   1. are married or in a civil partnership
   2. are in a long‑term relationship or living together
   3. are part of the same family
2. Your organisation must not distribute profit
3. Your organisation must have legal and constitutional status
4. Your organisation must have a clear management structure
5. Your organisation must have a clear financial management system
6. Your organisation must have operational principles that demonstrate understanding and commitment to employment, health and safety, and equality legislation for workers and volunteers
7. You must show that other groups and individuals in the area support the activity/project
8. You must show that value‑for‑money principles have been followed when developing, delivering, and running the project, such as following the Community Support Fund’s Invitation to Quote Guidelines (at the bottom of this page)- especially for capital projects;

Procurement requirements:

 9. Operational principles must be in place that comply with safeguarding legislation for children and vulnerable adults

10. Your organisation must have a language policy committing to providing a bilingual service to the public

Applicants must submit the following documentation by email to: Cistgwynedd@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

• Completed application form / Microsoft Word version
• Constitution
•  Recent bank statement
• Quotations (following the Invitation to Quote Guidelines)
• Letters of support or evidence of project need
• Evidence of Planning Permission or Building Control approval (if applicable)

We aim to assess and approve applications within 6 weeks of the closing date.

It will be a requirement that every project approved complies with the terms and conditions of the Community Support Fund. In some circumstances special conditions may be placed on a project.

The project selection process will be competitive, and applicants are expected to complete every question following the guidance.

• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• We will not contact you to request further details
• The panel will score applications based on what is submitted in the application form
• Supporting activities and organisations that have not previously received funding through the Community Support Fund will be prioritised

Community Support Officers are available to advise you and help ensure your project aligns with the fund’s requirements. Contact them via: Cefnogicymunedau@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

1. Invite Quotations

• No competitive quotations are required for contracts with an estimated value of less than £5,000.
• A quote should be obtained on paper from the Supplier. It will include details of the services, supplies, or work to be provided and will set out the price and payment terms.

1. Before the commencement of work

• Prepare an estimate of the cost of the work to ensure a reasonable quotation. (Suggestion: Cooperate with a specialist to ensure that the capital process and work programmes are correct and complete).
• Three prices must be shown if the group employs a manager for the project, or sufficient justification for the choice.
• Choose companies who are technically suitable to complete the work.

2. Inviting Quotations

Send full and regular details to all contractors (at least 3) on the same date.

Documents relating to the invitations to tender: 

• Brief of the work
• A request for quotation
• Closing date and time
• Envelope (optional) - must indicate they contain quotations
• Fraud evasion certificate (available from the Cist Gwynedd Senior Officer)

3. Changes to the quotations

All contractors must be notified in writing of any changes in the process or project.

4. Accepting quotations

To be received in the special envelopes by the specified time and date. 

5. Opening quotations

• Open as soon as possible after the closing time and date.
• At least two members of the group to open the quotations and to record the names, date and time of opening the quotations.
• Ensure that quotations are correct in accordance with the brief. No unauthorised alterations or additions should be made to the documents.
• Retain the envelopes as proof of credibility in the tendering process. 

A tender acceptance form may formalise opening the quotations. Forms available from the Cist Gwynedd Senior Officer

6. Late quotations

Late quotations are not to be accepted

7. Recording quotations

Record process of inviting, receiving and opening quotations and retain evidence of these processes in addition to any supporting documentation. 

Note: To ensure fairness and validity of tendering process, it is essential that each contractor receives the same information and terms.