Rees Foundation Grant Making Policy & Procedures

1. The Objects of The Rees Foundation
The Charity’s objects (“Objects”) are specifically restricted to the following:
For the public benefit, to relieve by such means as are charitable, children and adults who have had foster care or residential care experienced, by the provision of support, advice, resources, assistance (financial or otherwise), grants, programmes and other activities to:
a) advance education,
b) relieve unemployment,
c) promote the social inclusion among these beneficiaries who are excluded from society, or parts of society, due to their social or economic position,
d) develop their capacity and skills in such a way that they are better able to identify, and help meet their needs and to participate more fully in society

2. Priorities for support
The number of applications which can be supported by The Rees Foundation Charity is, by necessity, limited to the amount of funds available for distribution in line with the Charity’s general reserves policy. The Board of Trustees will set-aside an annual budget for grant giving which will be reviewed at least annually to ensure appropriate allocation.

The Charity seeks to consider applications for grant funding to advance their education which might be higher education, further education or vocational training in the UK. The Charity will also consider applications for incidental costs brought about by attending further education including but not limited to travel costs, childcare costs, course materials and equipment. 

3. Principles
In considering grant applications, the Trustees will apply the following principles: 
3.1 Applications from any geographical area within the UK are eligible for consideration providing the applicant can evidence that they have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 years.
3.2 All applications from previous recipients of grants or from previously unsuccessful applicants will be considered by the Charity on their own merits. Although the Charity will have regard to the outcome of the previous application, any new application will in no way receive preferential or adverse consideration.
3.3 Applicants must be aged 18 or above to be eligible to make an application.

4. Exclusions
4.1 The Charity does not accept applications for grants from organisations.
4.2 The Charity will not normally award grants for applications that do not meet with the Charity’s objects.
4.3 The Charity does not accept applications for financial assistance with rent or accommodation.
4.4 The Charity does not accept applications from anyone residing outside of the UK.
4.5 The Charity does not accept applications for UK citizens to study overseas.
4.6 The Charity does not accept grant applications for private medical treatment or assessments.
4.7  The Charity only accepts applications from individuals who have previously been in the care system within the United Kingdom.
4.8 The Charity reserves the right to decline any application and there is no obligation on the Charity to provide a reason for its decision. Each decision is final and there is no appeal process.

5. Grant application process
All applications for grants should be completed in line with this policy. They must be made by using The Rees Foundation application form which can be found online: Rees Foundation | Financial help for care experienced people - Rees Foundation

Alternatively, if you would like a copy of the application form emailed to you, or any assistance in completing the form, please let us know at: [email protected]​

6. Information requirements when making a grant application
The Charity requires that the application form is completed in full, and all supporting evidence and supplementary information is included before the application can be considered by the Grant Review Panel.
6.1Where the application necessitates an individual subcontracting work to another organisation, it is essential that the applicant confirms that they have undertaken a full due diligence of all relevant qualifications & processes carried out by the individual or organisation providing them with a service. The charity takes no responsibility and accepts no liability whatsoever for assessing the suitability of third-party products or services purchased from funds awarded.
6.2 Applicants must inform the Charity of the full names and contact details of two professional referees who are prepared to support their application for example a course tutor, a Personal Advisor or mentor. By submitting an application form the applicant is providing consent for the Charity to contact the referees and for their details to be utilised for such purposes.
6.3 Applicants must provide adequate information regarding their current education, housing or employment status.
6.4 Applicants will be required to provide information regarding their identity. The Charity may request this during the assessment of the application.
6.5 Applicants must provide adequate information regarding the financial status of their household. The Charity is unable to consider the application unless are required information is provided. 
6.6 Before the application is considered; the Charity is required to verify the applicants care or former care status, and by providing details of the Local Authority responsible for their care or former care, the applicant gives permission for the Charity to contact them for this purpose. 
6.7 Before the application is considered; the applicant must demonstrate that they have utilised other funding sources that are available to them including student finance and bursaries before making an application for financial support from the Charity. 
6.8 The Charity will not, save in exceptional circumstances award single grants for sums in excess of £5,000 per year. If your application exceeds this level, you must outline your exceptional circumstances within your application.
6.9 Applications must be signed or verified by the applicant to confirm that all information provided is correct so it can be verified by the Charity.

7. Assessment process
7.1 All grant applications will be subject to initial assessment by our Support Workers to ensure they meet the basic eligibility criteria. Applicants must be prepared to provide further additional and supplementary information as the Charity may reasonably require in order to assist them in their assessment and due diligence process. 

8. Decision Making
8.1 Grants will be considered by the Charity Grant Review Panel and the Charity will aim to write to applicants informing them of the outcome of their application within 12 weeks from the date that all supplementary information associated with the application and requested by the Charity has been received.
8.2 Applicants should note that, as with many other Charities, The Rees Foundation may well receive far more applications than it has funds to support. Even if an application fits within the criteria and priorities of the Charity and a detailed assessment has been made, the Charity may still be unable to provide a grant. 
8.3 The Charity will not be obliged to provide an explanation to the applicant should the grant application be unsuccessful.
8.4 If the application is successful; the Charity reserves the right to issue the grant funds directly to the supplier/provider of the goods or services that the applicant has specified that the grant is to be used for. For example, University fees may be paid directly to the University and incidental items purchased by the Charity to be delivered to the applicant.

9. Monitoring outcomes from grants awarded
9.1 It is the policy of the Charity to monitor all grants made. To this end, before a grant can be confirmed, conditions may be stipulated appropriate to the application and progress may be assessed against agreed targets and/or milestones. 
9.2 If the application is successful, and the applicants’ circumstances change; the applicant must inform the Charity regarding any changes that relate to the purpose of the award. The Charity will consider the change of circumstance but reserves the right to withdraw the award where appropriate. It may be that where circumstances have changed significantly, the applicant may be required to submit a new application.
9.3 If the grant is payable in instalments, then payment of subsequent grant instalments may be dependent on satisfactory progress having been demonstrated and the Charity reserves the right to withdraw the grant on receipt of unsatisfactory progress update reports or in the absence of any updates.
9.4 The Trustees also will expect to receive copies of any published articles, papers or other outputs which may result from the grant. Should any of the articles refer to The Rees Foundation it is essential that the CEO of The Rees Foundation is informed and provides consent for the detail to be published.
9.5 The Charity may contact the grantee in the period following the award of the grant in order to identify progress against the objective of the grant.
9.6 The Rees Foundation Grant Making Policy must be read in conjunction with The Rees Foundation Privacy Policy and the Rees Foundation Safeguarding Adults Policy. By submitting a Grant Application, the applicant confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to Rees Foundation Grant Making, Privacy and Safeguarding Policies.
9.7 The Charity may require repayment of the grant if:
9.8 The grant is used for a purpose other than that which has been agreed or the purpose for which it was awarded does not proceed.
9.9 Part of the grant remains unused when the activities that the grant was intended to fund have been completed: or

10. Variation to this policy
10.1  The Board of trustees may vary the terms of this policy from time to time.