GRANT GUIDELINES

(Registered Charity No: 1002371)

SUPPORTING DOCUMENT TO 2017 CONSTITUTION

 

Revised 19 July 2017.

1.       Aim.  The aim, objectives and activities of the Cornelius Trust are laid down in the Trust Deed and the Constitution.  The purpose of these guidelines is to clarify the process of the allocation of grants by the Trustees of The Cornelius Trust. 

2.       Document Review.  Whereas the Deed and Constitution remain extant in the long term, these guidelines will be reviewed at least every 3 years, reflecting the current operations of the Trust.

3.       General Provisions

     a.       Eligibility.  The Trust intends to provide its resources primarily through the Chaplaincy or through established Christian organisations serving the UK Military.  However, any individual seeking to serve the purpose of the Trust may apply for a grant at any time.  This includes MoD Civil Servants who are members of a Military Christian Organisation and wish to attend an MCO event, and dependants of regular serving members.  Additionally, grants up to 10% of the annual allocation may be given to the benefit of the military Christians of overseas countries.  Whenever possible this allocation will be administered through UK based charities. Grants will not be provided where public funds or routine non-public funds are more appropriate.

     b.       Priorities.  The Trustees will weigh each application on its own merits and with due prayer and consideration and would not wish to discourage anyone from applying for financial support for a project or endeavour that meets the core purpose of the Trust.  However, they strongly favour projects that directly benefit serving members be it in their Christian education, their need for Fellowship and mutual encouragement or in the support of their family.  The Trustees particularly welcome applications from or on behalf of those who may be struggling financially or for activities that benefit large numbers of the military across all ranks.  When assessing applications, the Trustees will consider the ability of individuals to fund the activity themselves.  Applicants, or those acting for them, are, therefore, encouraged to provide a brief synopsis in their initial application of any pertinent financial circumstances that they wish the Trust to take into consideration.

     c.       Communication.  Due to the trustees being voluntary unpaid and dispersed geographically, the Trust seeks to do most of its business virtually (via the Internet at www.thecorneliustrust.org.)  Applications can be submitted electronically and applicants will generally be verified through service channels.  While enquiries are welcomed, applicants should limit their questions to initial feasibility, application and confirmation of receipt of decision.  Communication outside these 3 occasions is discouraged to keep the administration to a minimum.  The Trust will aim to acknowledge an application within 7 days.  Most applicants will be informed whether or not they have been successful within 28 days.

     d.       Personal Contribution.  Applicants will normally be expected to contribute at least 25% of the cost. 

     e.       Prior Approval.  Grants should normally be applied for before the commencement of a project.  Projects which cannot be completed without support from the Trust should not be started until a grant has been agreed.  Retrospective applications for grants will not normally be considered. 

     f.        Financial Conditions.  Any grant awarded shall be treated as a ‘one-time donation’ that has been made solely for the purpose specified in the application.  If the project is abandoned the money must be refunded to the Trust and may not be expended on an alternative project without the explicit authority of the Trustees.  Once agreed, grants cannot normally be increased at a later date. Only in exceptional circumstances will the Trustees consider a request for additional funding. Any such request would be treated as a separate bid for consideration by the Trustees.

     g.       Insurance, Maintenance and Repair.  Recipients of grants shall have full responsibility for the provision of insurance cover and all necessary maintenance or repair of items or facilities purchased with the help of a grant from The Cornelius Trust.

     h.       Reports and Receipts.  The Trust may require a report and/or a receipt from the applicant, to confirm the use of the money.  This will be specified at the time of confirming the donation. 

4.       Categories of Grant

     a.       Grants.  Applications may be submitted at any time of year.  Detailed application procedures are available on www.thecorneliustrust.org.

     b.       Annual Consolidated Grants (UK Military Christian Organisations).  Applications for an annual grant towards a programme of events throughout the year are to be submitted by 1 March.  Expenditure reports for the previous year are to be received by 1 May each year.  Any monies not used must be returned to the Trust.

     c.       Capital Projects (no limit).  The previous purchase of a single Christian Holiday and Conference Centre was not adequately used by servicemen and servicewomen.  Therefore the Trustees are resistant to investing in a large-scale capital expenditure that limits the Trust’s work to a single geographical area.  However, the Trustees remain open and willing to receive applications for any projects.  They will all be prayerfully considered.  Capital Project Grants may include the following:

          (1)      A grant.

          (2)      The trust providing an interest-free loan for an agreed period of time.

          (3)      The Trust providing a loan – in effect taking a share in a property as a monetary investment - which the recipient will pay back over an agreed period of time, together with an appropriate return on the capital “invested”.

          (4)      The Trust taking a share in a property as a longer term capital investment by recovering the funds when the property is sold or its use changed.

          (5)      A combination of any of the above.

5.       Grant Process by Trustees.  The Board of Trustees meets 3 times a year to approve grants and capital projects (in March and the summer and autumn).  Capital projects over £10,000 require the consent of all Trustees minus one.  Other grants can be approved any time of year with the agreement of at least half of the trustees, one of which is to be either the Chairman or the Treasurer.  The Chairman has the casting vote if necessary.  Agreement will normally be reached via online working within 28 days.  Full expenditure reports are prepared by the Treasurer for the Charity Commissioners. 

6.       Prayer support and Donations.  The Cornelius Trust encourages donations as well as prayer support (and administration support).  As The Cornelius Trust is run entirely by unpaid volunteers the administration costs are kept to a bare minimum.  Thus all donations are directly passed on to recipients of the Trust’s Grants.  Donations are not added to the Capital of the Trust unless so directed.

7.       Shallowford House.  All military personnel who are members of a Military Christian Organisation are eligible for a 40% discount on standard fees at Shallowford House, the retreat and conference centre of the Diocese of Lichfield.  Claimants of this discount would not normally be considered for a further grant from the Trust for their stay at Shallowford.

8.       Amendments to these guidelines shall be made only with the agreement of all bar one of the trustees.